Greek Abbreviations

BACKGROUND ON
GREEK VERB PARSING

This page explains the ABBREVIATIONS used with the verbs in the Verse by Verse Notes. The letter abbreviations in turn are a simplistic way of summarizing the Greek Verb "PARSING". Parsing means to break the verb into it's component parts, e.g., tense, voice, mood, etc. Most abbreviations in the Verse by Verse Notes have 5 or 6 letters as explained below.

You may not be interested in Greek parsing but I would recommend that you at least become familiar with the present tense as it is used frequently in the NT and it conveys the sense of continuous action or habitual practice and this knowledge can often add significantly to the interpretation of the verse.

If you would like a more detailed explanation refer to the "Greek Quick Reference Guide" which includes examples illustrating the practical significance of why you might want to have at least a basic understanding of Greek Verb Parsing. Don't be intimidated as these notes are written from a layman's perspective for laymen.

"The Greeks Had A Word For It" has an excellent not too technical explanation of Greek verbs

HOLD POINTER OVER ANY LETTER IN BLUE FOR POPUP NOTE.

SUMMARY OF GREEK
VERB PARSING ABBREVIATIONS

PERSON

(1) The numbers at the beginning of some of the abbreviations represent PERSON (1st, 2nd, 3rd ) which can be either "SINGULAR" (S) or "PLURAL" (P) and if applicable to that verb's parsing are always the first aspect of the annotation.

2Ti3:12: will be persecuted (3PFPI) = Third Person, Future Tense, Passive Voice, Indicative Mood

TENSE

(2) The first letter represents the TENSE which is designated as follows:
            (P) for present tense
            (A) for aorist tense
            (F) for future tense
            (R) for perfect tense.
            (I ) for imperfect tense

2Ti 3:12: desire (PAPMPN) = Present Tense, Active Voice, Participle, Masculine, Plural, Nominative

VOICE

(3) The next letter is the VOICE which is abbreviated as follows:
            (A) for active voice
            (P) for passive voice
            (M) for middle voice.

MOOD

(4) The next letter represents the MOOD which is abbreviated as follows:
            (I) for indicative mood
            (M) for imperative (command) mood
            (S) for subjunctive mood
            (N) for infinitive mood
            (P) for participial mood
            (O) for optative mood

to live (PAN) = Present Tense, Active Voice, Infinitive Mood

GENDER IN
6 LETTER ABBREVIATIONS

(5) Finally all 6 letter abbreviations (E.g. PAPMPN) include a designation for Gender.
           (M) indicates Masculine
           (F) indicates Feminine
            (N) indicates Neuter

2 Timothy 3:12: Indeed, all who desire (PAPMPN) = Present Tense, Active Voice, Participle, Masculine, Plural, Neuter

SINGLE/PLURAL
IN 6 LETTER ABBREVIATIONS

(6) The 4th letter in the 6 letter abbreviations (E.g. PAPMPN) designates plural (P) or singular (S)

2 Timothy 3:12: Indeed, all who desire (PAPMPN)

CASE IN
6 LETTER ABBREVIATIONS

(7) All 6 letter abbreviations (E.g. PAPMPN) end in a letter designating CASE (which these notes do not address in detail)
            (A) for accusative
            (G) for genitive
            (N) for nominative
            (D) for dative