The Greek word ṓn, represented by G5607, is the present participle of the verb "to be," primarily meaning being. It appears 161 times across 154 unique verses in the Bible. This word is crucial for describing a continuous state of existence, a person's inherent nature, or the condition in which an action takes place.
Beyond simple "being," G5607 as a present participle carries the nuance of ongoing, continuous existence or state. This continuous aspect often implies an inherent, unchanging quality rather than a temporary or transient one, particularly when applied to divine attributes. It highlights the durative nature of the state or action it describes, distinguishing it from a momentary occurrence. For instance, in describing God, it points to His perpetual self-existence, not merely that He is at a point in time, but that He always is in an active sense.
G5607 frequently functions as a substantive or an adjective, identifying a person or group by their state or characteristic. It can denote "the one who is," "those who are," or simply "being" as a noun. This grammatical flexibility allows it to define identity, group membership, or the essential nature of something. For example, "the things that are" 1 Corinthians 1:28 describes existing realities, distinguishing them from "things which are not," thereby delineating categories of existence. This usage moves beyond a simple verb conjugation to serve as a descriptor of identity or reality itself.
In scripture, G5607 is used to establish fundamental truths about both God and humanity. It describes God's eternal nature, as seen in the declaration, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" Revelation 1:8. The word also defines the divine essence of Christ, who is described as being "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" Hebrews 1:3. In contrast, it is used to describe humanity's condition apart from God, such as "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8 and when believers were "dead in trespasses and sins" Ephesians 2:1.
G5607 frequently delineates group identity or relational status. For instance, Paul addresses "the saints which are at Ephesus" Ephesians 1:1 or "all the saints which are in all Achaia" 2 Corinthians 1:1, using ṓn to identify believers by their current geographical or spiritual location. Similarly, it describes individuals by their role or attribute, such as Joseph "being a just man" Matthew 1:19 or Caiaphas "being the high priest that same year" John 11:49, underscoring their inherent character or appointed office at a specific time.
The participle also effectively captures the circumstances or conditions under which events unfold. In the narrative of Jesus' arrest, Judas is described as "being one of the twelve" Luke 22:3, highlighting his betrayer's intimate proximity and entrusted position. Likewise, the disciples' fear is contextualized by the doors "being shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews" John 20:19. These usages provide critical background information, framing the scene by describing the ongoing state of individuals or environments.
Several related words provide a fuller understanding of existence and identity:
- G1510 eimí (I exist): As the root verb from which G5607 is derived, this word denotes direct existence, often in an emphatic sense. It is famously used by the Lord in the declaration, "I am Alpha and Omega" Revelation 1:8.
- G2076 estí (he/she/it is): This is the third-person form of the verb "to be" and is frequently used to make statements of fact or identity, such as "there is no power but of God" Romans 13:1.
- G1097 ginṓskō (to "know"): This word connects the state of being with recognition and relationship. The Lord knoweth "them that are his," linking his knowledge to their state of being his possession 2 Timothy 2:19.
- G5590 psychḗ (soul/life): This term denotes the animating principle of life, the inner self, or the very essence of a person's being. While G5607 describes the state of being, psychḗ often refers to that which is being, the living entity itself, providing a deeper understanding of the subject to whom the state of ṓn applies.
- G5610 hṓra (hour/time): As a word signifying a specific time, season, or period, hṓra interacts with G5607 by often defining the temporal frame within which a continuous state of being exists. The participle ṓn describes what is, and hṓra often indicates when that state of being is manifest or relevant.
The theological importance of G5607 is profound, as it underpins core doctrines about God's nature and the state of humanity.
- The Eternal Present: The term is repeatedly used to describe God's timeless self-existence. He is the one "which is, and which was, and which is to come" (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 4:8), emphasizing His unchanging presence throughout all time.
- The Divine Essence of Christ: G5607 affirms Christ's deity and his eternal relationship with the Father. He is the Son "is in the bosom of the Father" John 1:18 and the one who, concerning the flesh, "is over all, God blessed for ever" Romans 9:5.
- State of Being Before Redemption: The word defines humanity's natural condition as being "without strength" Romans 5:6, "enemies" Romans 5:10, "alienated" Colossians 1:21, and "evil" Matthew 7:11. This highlights the transformative work of salvation.
- The Transformed State in Christ: G5607 powerfully articulates the new spiritual identity and condition of believers subsequent to their redemption. Having been "dead in trespasses and sins" Ephesians 2:1, they are now described as "being quickened together with Christ" Ephesians 2:5, or "being reconciled" Romans 5:10. This highlights a fundamental change in their very state of being, from spiritual death to life, from alienation to reconciliation, all by God's grace.
- The Reality of What Is vs. What Is Not: The word G5607 is also employed to distinguish between what genuinely exists and what does not, or what is considered significant versus insignificant in God's economy. God "calleth those things which be not as though they were" Romans 4:17, demonstrating His sovereign power over creation. Similarly, God chooses "things which are not" to confound "things that are" 1 Corinthians 1:28, revealing His method of overturning human wisdom and might through seemingly weak or non-existent means.
G5607, the present participle of "to be," transcends its basic grammatical function to become a word of profound theological and philosophical weight in the New Testament. Its core meaning of "being" is consistently imbued with the nuance of continuous, ongoing existence, making it indispensable for describing enduring states, inherent natures, and prevailing conditions. This continuous aspect is crucial when defining the eternal, self-existent nature of God, who "is, and was, and is to come" (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 4:8), and in affirming the divine essence of Christ, who is eternally "in the bosom of the Father" John 1:18.
Beyond divine attributes, G5607 meticulously details the state of humanity, both in its fallen condition—as "dead in trespasses and sins" Ephesians 2:1 or "without strength" Romans 5:6—and in its transformed state through redemption. Believers are described as "being quickened together with Christ" Ephesians 2:5, a testament to their new, continuous spiritual reality. The word also functions to identify groups or individuals by their current status or location, as seen in references to "the saints which are at Ephesus" Ephesians 1:1 or Caiaphas "being the high priest" John 11:49.
G5607 is vital in contrasting reality with non-reality, highlighting God's power to call "things which be not as though they were" Romans 4:17, and His wisdom in choosing "things which are not" to nullify "things that are" 1 Corinthians 1:28. Its grammatical flexibility allows it to serve as a substantive, denoting "the one who is" or "those who are," thereby defining identity and essential nature within the biblical narrative.
In essence, G5607 is a multifaceted term that underpins fundamental doctrines of Christian faith. It illuminates the unchangeable being of God, the divine identity of Christ, the fallen yet redeemable state of humanity, and the dynamic interplay between different states of existence and non-existence, all within the overarching context of God's sovereign plan.
TRV