a phrase combining ὁ with the present participle and imperfect of εἰμί and the present participle of ἔρχομαι by means of καί; the one being and the one that was and the one coming, i.e. the Eternal, as a divine epithet of Christ:--which art (is, was), and (which) wast (is, was), and art (is) to come (shalt be).
Transliteration:ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos
Pronunciation:ho own kahee ho ane kahee ho er-khom'-en-os
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek phrase G3801, *ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos*, is a profound theological declaration. It literally translates to "the one being and the one that was and the one coming." This composite phrase meticulously articulates the timeless nature of God.
* ὁ ὢν (ho ōn): "the one being," derived from the present participle of εἰμί (eimi, "to be"). This signifies continuous, present existence, emphasizing an eternal now.
* ὁ ἦν (ho ēn): "the one that was," from the imperfect indicative of εἰμί. This denotes continuous existence in the past, underscoring pre-existence and an unbroken past.
* ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho erchomenos): "the one coming," from the present participle of ἔρχομαι (erchomai, "to come"). This points to future arrival, often with eschatological implications, signifying the one who is yet to fully manifest or return.
Collectively, the phrase encompasses all temporal dimensions—past, present, and future—thereby declaring the absolute eternality, immutability, and omnipresence of the divine being. It functions as a majestic divine epithet, particularly highlighting God's self-existence and sovereign dominion over all time.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The phrase G3801 is found exclusively in the book of Revelation, where it serves as a central descriptor of God.
* In [[Revelation 1:4]], it appears in the salutation: "Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come..." Here, it refers to God the Father, the ultimate source of grace and peace.
* [[Revelation 1:8]] presents a powerful self-declaration: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." This verse explicitly links the phrase with "the Alpha and the Omega" (`{{G1}}` and `{{G5598}}`) and "the Almighty" (`{{G3841}}`), unequivocally identifying the speaker as the eternally existent, sovereign God. While the immediate context points to God the Father, the broader Christology of Revelation, particularly the identification of Christ as Alpha and Omega later in the book, invites consideration of its applicability to the Son's shared divine nature.
* [[Revelation 4:8]] reiterates this praise from the four living creatures before the throne: "...Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" This celestial worship confirms the phrase as a fundamental attribute of the triune God.
* Notably, in [[Revelation 11:17]] and [[Revelation 16:5]], the phrase appears in a truncated form, omitting καί ὁ ἐρχόμενος ("and the one coming"): "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who art and who wast, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign" ([[Revelation 11:17]]); and "Just are you, O Holy One, who art and who wast, because you have judged these things" ([[Revelation 16:5]]). The omission of the future aspect in these specific contexts underscores God's active, present, and past exercise of power and judgment, emphasizing the accomplished aspects of His sovereign reign and righteous decrees, rather than a future arrival.
### Related Words & Concepts
The theological depth of G3801 is enhanced by its connections to other significant biblical terms and concepts:
* **YHWH (`{{H3068}}`):** The Hebrew Tetragrammaton, the divine name revealed to Moses in [[Exodus 3:14]] as "I AM WHO I AM." The Greek phrase ὁ ὢν (the one being) is a direct echo and theological expansion of this divine self-disclosure, particularly as the Septuagint often renders YHWH with forms of ὁ ὢν. This link establishes a profound continuity between the God of the Old Testament and the God revealed in Revelation.
* **εἰμί (eimi) and ἔρχομαι (erchomai):** The base verbs for "to be" and "to come" are foundational. εἰμί speaks to God's inherent existence, while ἔρχομαι points to His active intervention and ultimate consummation of history.
* **Alpha and Omega (`{{G1}}` and `{{G5598}}`):** This pair, also prominent in Revelation, signifies totality, beginning and end, and is conceptually parallel to G3801 in asserting God's comprehensive sovereignty over all things.
* **Almighty (`{{G3841}}` - Pantokrator):** Often paired with G3801, this title emphasizes God's absolute power and authority, reinforcing the implications of His eternal existence.
* **Parousia (`{{G3952}}`):** The concept of "coming" or "presence," particularly Christ's second coming, is implicitly tied to ὁ ἐρχόμενος, highlighting the eschatological dimension of God's plan.
### Theological Significance
The phrase G3801 carries immense theological weight:
* **Declaration of Divine Eternality and Immutability:** It is the most comprehensive statement of God's timelessness in the New Testament. God is not bound by time; He transcends it, existing continuously and unchangingly in all epochs. This assures His unwavering faithfulness and reliability.
* **Echo of the Divine Name YHWH:** By resonating with "I AM WHO I AM" from [[Exodus 3:14]], the phrase firmly establishes the God of Revelation as the same covenant-keeping God of Israel, emphasizing His self-existence and sovereign independence.
* **Foundation of God's Sovereignty:** Encompassing past, present, and future, the phrase asserts God's absolute dominion over all history, creation, and destiny. He is the active agent in all things, from eternity past to eternity future.
* **High Christology:** While primarily applied to God the Father, its use in [[Revelation 1:8]] in conjunction with "Alpha and Omega" and "the Almighty," titles also applied to Christ in Revelation, strongly implies a shared divine nature and co-eternality within the Godhead. The "one who is to come" aspect also carries strong messianic overtones, pointing to Christ's future return in power and glory.
* **Source of Hope and Assurance:** For believers, the God "who was and is and is to come" provides ultimate security. His past faithfulness guarantees His present help and future victory, anchoring faith in a God who is utterly dependable across all time.
### Summary
The Greek phrase G3801, *ho ṑn kaí ho ēn kaí ho erchómenos*, is a profound and unique divine epithet found exclusively in the book of Revelation. Literally meaning "the one being and the one that was and the one coming," it serves as a comprehensive declaration of God's eternal, immutable, and sovereign nature, encompassing all temporal dimensions. This phrase functions as a New Testament echo and expansion of the Old Testament divine name YHWH, emphasizing God's self-existence and continuous presence throughout history. Often paired with titles like "Alpha and Omega" and "the Almighty," it underscores God's ultimate authority and control. While primarily describing God the Father, its contextual usage, particularly in [[Revelation 1:8]], implicitly extends its divine attributes to Christ, contributing to the high Christology of Revelation. This majestic phrase provides a foundational understanding of God's timeless being and serves as a powerful source of assurance for believers, affirming His unwavering faithfulness and ultimate victory across all ages.
TRV