Verse in Greek
ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Focus Topic: Perfect Tense and Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses
This verse offers a brilliant mix of perfect indicative verbs, present indicative, and a purpose clause introduced by ἵνα followed by a present subjunctive. It blends eyewitness testimony with theological intent, structured through careful grammatical choices.
The Perfect Tense: ἑωράκαμεν and ἀκηκόαμεν
These two verbs are both in the perfect active indicative, 1st person plural. The perfect tense in Greek describes a completed action with continuing results:
| Greek Word | Tense | Voice | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἑωράκαμεν | Perfect | Active | We have seen (and still see the result) |
| ἀκηκόαμεν | Perfect | Active | We have heard (and it continues to shape us) |
The author is emphasizing not just past experiences, but the enduring witness of what they have seen and heard — a theological strategy to ground their proclamation (ἀπαγγέλλομεν).
Purpose Clause: ἵνα…ἔχητε
The conjunction ἵνα introduces a purpose clause, which is followed by the present active subjunctive ἔχητε (“you may have”). This expresses the desired outcome of the proclamation:
- ἵνα — “in order that,” introducing purpose/result.
- καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ’ ἡμῶν — “that you also may have fellowship with us.” The present subjunctive implies ongoing fellowship, not a one-time event.
Double Fellowship Structure
The repetition of the word κοινωνία draws attention to the relational nature of the message — first between the apostles and their hearers, then between both and the divine:
- ἡ κοινωνία ἡ ἡμετέρα — “our fellowship”
- μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ — “with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” The repeated μετά emphasizes the shared relationship.
Grammatical and Theological Harmony
This verse exhibits elegant cohesion. The perfect tense verbs stress the enduring witness of the apostles. The present subjunctive in the ἵνα-clause portrays a continual invitation into fellowship. The use of parallel prepositions and balanced clauses creates a rhythm of shared divine-human communion — a deeply grammatical way of expressing spiritual unity.
