A look at verb tenses in John 5:24 By Jack Kettler
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
Exegesis of John 5:24 from a Reformed Theological Perspective:
John 5:24 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
1. Hath Everlasting Life:
· Verb Tense Analysis: The verb "hath" in the KJV translates from the Greek word ἔχει (echei), which is in the present indicative active tense. This tense denotes action that is ongoing or presently true. From a Reformed perspective, this present tense suggests that the possession of eternal life is immediate and continuous upon faith in Christ. It does not speak of a future attainment but of a current reality for the believer.
· Theological Implication: The Reformed tradition emphasizes the "perseverance of the saints," where the believer is granted eternal life at the moment of faith. This life is not merely promised but is already bestowed, underscoring the security of salvation. The believer does not work towards earning eternal life; rather, it is a gift received through faith, which is itself a gift from God.
2. Is Passed from Death unto Life:
· Verb Tense Analysis: The phrase "is passed" translates from μεταβέβηκεν (metabebekken), which is in the perfect active indicative. The perfect tense in Greek indicates a completed action with results extending into the present. Here, it signifies that the transition from death to life occurred at a point in the past but remains effective in the present.
· Theological Implication: From a Reformed standpoint, this transition is not merely a change in status but a transformative event with ongoing effects. This past action (the moment of faith) has placed the believer in a new state of being. The use of the perfect tense underscores the finality and completeness of this change. It cannot be undone or needs repeating; the believer has definitively moved from the realm of death (spiritual separation from God) to life (union with Christ).
Synthesis in Reformed Theology:
· Immediate Justification: The present and perfect tenses together highlight the immediacy of justification and the permanence of regeneration in the believer. Upon hearing and believing, one is immediately justified before God, receiving the gift of eternal life.
· Covenantal Continuity: This passage also aligns with the covenant theology within Reformed thought, where the covenant of grace is enacted through faith in Christ, ensuring that the elect, upon believing, is granted all the benefits of the covenant, including eternal life.
· Eschatological Certainty: The certainty of the believer's state is not contingent on future actions but on Christ’s past and present work applied through faith. This certainty provides assurance against condemnation, as promised in the text, reflecting the doctrine of assurance within Reformed theology.
More examples from the Bible where verb tenses similarly support the Reformed theological perspective on the immediacy and permanence of salvation:
1. John 3:36:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Verb Tense: "hath" (ἔχει - present indicative active) indicates that the believer currently possesses eternal life, not merely that they will have it in the future.
2. Ephesians 2:5:
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
Verb Tense: "hath quickened" (συνεζωοποίησεν - aorist indicative active) points to a past action with ongoing effects. It shows that the act of making alive together with Christ is complete, yet its effect (being alive in Christ) continues.
3. 1 John 5:12:
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
Verb Tense: "hath" (ἔχων - present participle active) again denotes possession in the present time, emphasizing that life is currently held by those who have the Son.
4. John 10:28:
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
Verb Tense: "give" (δίδωμι - present indicative active) indicates an ongoing action of giving, suggesting that eternal life is continuously bestowed upon believers.
5. Philippians 1:6:
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Verb Tense: "hath begun" (ἐναρξάμενος - aorist participle middle) refers to a past action with lasting effects, and "will perform" (ἐπιτελέσει - future indicative active) promises future completion, illustrating the continuity from initiation to fulfillment in salvation.
6. Galatians 2:20:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Verb Tense: "I am crucified" (συνεσταύρωμαι - perfect indicative passive) signifies an event in the past with ongoing effects, showing that the crucifixion with Christ is a past act with present reality.
7. 2 Corinthians 5:17:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Verb Tense: "is" (ἐστίν - present indicative active), "are passed away" (παρῆλθεν - aorist indicative active), and "are become new" (γέγονεν - perfect indicative active) together indicate the immediate transformation upon being in Christ, with past actions having present and ongoing effects.
Through their verb tenses, these scripture examples reinforce the Reformed theological principles of immediate justification, the permanence of the believer's transformation, and the certainty of salvation, all initiated and sustained by God's grace through faith in Christ.
In conclusion, John 5:24, through its verb tenses, supports the Reformed doctrines of the immediate bestowal of eternal life upon faith, the definitive transition from death to life at conversion, and the ongoing, unchangeable status of the believer in Christ, underscoring the themes of grace, continuity in God's covenant, and the assurance of salvation.
The above study was Groked and perfected with Grammarly AI.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Mr. Kettler is an author who has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife, Marea, are active Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church members. Mr. Kettler's extensive work includes 18 books defending the Reformed Faith, which are available for order online at Amazon.