Lexical Summary enistémi: To be present, to stand near, to be at hand Original Word: ἐνίστημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come, be at hand, be present. From en and histemi; to place on hand, i.e. (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant -- come, be at hand, present. see GREEK en see GREEK histemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and histémi Definition to place in, to be at hand, perf. part. to be present NASB Translation come (2), present (3), things present (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1764: ἐνεστωςἐνεστως, see ἐνίστημι. STRONGS NT 1764: ἐνίστημιἐνίστημι: perfect ἐνέστηκα, participle ἐνεστηκώς (Hebrews 9:9), and by syncope ἐνεστως; future middle ἐνστήσομαι; to place in or among; to put in; in perfect, pluperfect, 2 aorist, and in middle (properly, as it were to stand in sight, stand near) to be upon, impend, threaten: 2 Thessalonians 2:2; future middle 2 Timothy 3:1. perfect participle close at hand, 1 Corinthians 7:26; as often in Greek writings (in the grammarians ὁ ἐνεστως namely, χρόνος is the present tense (cf. Philo de plant. Noë § 27 τριμερης χρόνος, ὅς εἰς τόν παρεληλυθότα καί ἐνεστῶτα καί μέλλοντα τέμνεσθαι πέφυκεν)), present: ὁ καιρός ὁ ἐνεστως, Hebrews 9:9; τά ἐνεστῶτα opposed to τά μέλλοντα, Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 3:22; ὁ ἐνεστως αἰών πονηρός in tacit contrast with τῷ μέλλοντι αἰῶνι, Galatians 1:4 (Basil., epistle 57 ad Melet (iii., p. 151 c., Benedict. edition) ὠφέλιμα διδαγματα ἤ ἐφοδια πρός τέ τόν ἐνεστῶτα αἰῶνα καί τόν μέλλοντα). (Many (so R. V.) would adopt the meaning present in 2 Thessalonians 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 7:26 also; but cf. Meyer on Galatians, the passage cited.) The verb behind Strong’s 1764 consistently marks realities that are “already upon” those addressed. Whether the subject is doctrinal error, covenantal transition, societal hostility, or personal trial, Scripture uses this term to direct believers’ attention to circumstances pressing in on them right now, so that faith remains oriented toward Christ and His promises. Eschatological Readiness and Discernment • 2 Thessalonians 2:2 warns “not to become easily unsettled or alarmed … as if the day of the Lord has already come”. Here the word exposes a counterfeit “presence” of the last day, demanding doctrinal vigilance. Ethics for the Present Age • Galatians 1:4 describes Jesus Christ “who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age.” The verse portrays the believer as living in an era already characterized by evil, yet simultaneously delivered from its ultimate power. Pastoral Consolation amid Present Distress • 1 Corinthians 7:26 advises, “in view of the present distress it is good for a man to remain as he is.” Paul applies the word to an ongoing crisis—likely persecution or famine—tempering personal decisions with situational wisdom. Perilous Times in the Last Days • 2 Timothy 3:1 foresees that “in the last days perilous times will come.” The form shifts to the future tense, yet the certainty is so vivid that many commentators hear a trumpet blast calling the church to preparedness. The word thereby bridges the present and the imminent, energizing watchfulness. Christ’s Deliverance from the Present Age Taken together, the passages form a redemptive arc: Christ rescues from a presently evil era (Galatians 1:4), provides a sacrifice effective for the now (Hebrews 9:9), sustains amid present distress (1 Corinthians 7:26), guards against premature eschatological panic (2 Thessalonians 2:2), and guarantees that neither present nor future forces can sever believers from His love (Romans 8:38). Ministerial Implications 1. Teaching must clarify the difference between the true “already” of redemption and false claims that the final day has arrived. Historical Interpretation in the Church Early fathers like Chrysostom used 2 Thessalonians 2:2 to challenge apocalyptic speculation. Reformers appealed to Romans 8:38 to assure believers amid political upheaval. Modern missions movements often cite Galatians 1:4 to emphasize deliverance from culturally embedded evils that confront converts the moment they believe. Practical Application for Contemporary Believers • Evaluate information—social, digital, or doctrinal—against scriptural eschatology to avoid alarmism. Thus every New Testament use of Strong’s 1764 summons the church to sober realism about what is upon us, while fixing hope on the One whose saving presence eclipses every “present” threat. Englishman's Concordance Romans 8:38 V-RPA-NNPGRK: ἀρχαὶ οὔτε ἐνεστῶτα οὔτε μέλλοντα NAS: nor things present, nor KJV: nor things present, nor INT: principalities nor things present nor things to be 1 Corinthians 3:22 V-RPA-NNP 1 Corinthians 7:26 V-RPA-AFS Galatians 1:4 V-RPA-GMS 2 Thessalonians 2:2 V-RIA-3S 2 Timothy 3:1 V-FIM-3P Hebrews 9:9 V-RPA-AMS Strong's Greek 1764 |
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