Saturday, October 3, 2020

Creation Moment 10/4/2020 - Greek Verbs of Col.1:16

"The opening chapter of Genesis makes a significant and scientifically accurate statement concerning the fixity of created kinds. During the creation week, we repeatedly read the phrase that every type of living thing was created “after its kind.”

 While there is observable variation within plant and animal kinds, we don’t see one fundamental kind evolving into another, nor do we see any evidence of transitional forms in the fossil record. Interestingly, we see the Creator’s upholding of fundamental, creation-based principles reaffirmed in the Greek text of the New Testament.
 
In Colossians 1:16-17, we are given insight into the Lord Jesus Christ as the Creator:
For by Him [Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible...All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
 
In the section of verse 16 stating “all things were created through Him and for Him,” the word for “created” isn’t a simple past tense form of the Greek verb to build or create, κτίζω (ktizó), but is inflected in the perfect tense as ἔκτισται (ektistai). 
 
This perfect tense verbal form conveys a deeper and much richer meaning in the Greek than can be conveyed in a quick English translation. 
 
In fact, the perfect tense was often used intentionally by Greek New Testament authors to teach important theological truths. Greek verbs in the perfect tense describe an event that occurred in the past with ongoing effects or activity continuing into the present. 
Even more fascinating is that this verb is also inflected in the passive voice, meaning that an external agent (God) is involved in the continuing perfective action upon His creation." 
ICR