Table V-NM-2 Infinitive Morpheme

Note:

1. The Active and Middle morphemes are the same for both the Present and 2nd Aorist tense; and
2. the Perfect Middle and Perfect Passive morphemes are the same.

Table V-NM-3 Formation of the Present and Aorist Infinitive

The Infinitive is formed by adding the Infinitive morpheme to the verbal root.

Note: by using the present tense, there is an implication to continually or repeatedly loose (or free).

Table V-NM-4 Paradigm Present and Aorist Infinitive

Note:

The 2 Aorist Active indicative is ἔλαβον; therefore, the Aorist active and middle infinitives are formed off of the verbal root λαβ. The Aorist Passive indicative is ἐλήμφθην, Therefore, one would expect the Aorist Passive Infinitive to be λήμφναι, but in this case it is treated like a 1st Aorist infinitive resulting in λημφ + θηναι -> λημφθήναι.

Table V-NM-5 Future and Perfect Infinitives

The Future Infinitive is formed by adding the Future Tense Formative (σ) to the appropriate Tense stem (Present active or aorist passive without the augment) and then adding the Present Infinitive morpheme (active, middle, or passive) as appropriate.

Technically, the Future Infinitive is formed by the Tense Stem + the Tense Formative (σ) + a connecting vowel (ε) + the Present Infinitive Morpheme which is (εν). The two epsilons then contract to ει resulting in ειν. σ + ε + εν -> σ + εε+ ν -> σ + ει + ν -> σειν. It is a lot easier to just learn the Future Infinitive Morpheme as ειν.

The Perfect Infinitive is formed by Reduplication + the Perfect Active Tense Stem + the Tense Formative + the Infinitive Morpheme. (κεναι). We have already seen the kappa followed by a vowel as a perfect tense indicator.

The 2nd Perfect Infinitive, the reduplication would be just the vowel epsilon (ε) without the consonant. Also, the kappa (κ) is dropped from the Infinitive Morpheme for a 2nd Perfect.

Example V-NM-6 Infinitive of Purpose with no article

and (we) came to worship Him

Example V-NM-6a Infinitive of Purpose preceded by ἔις

the Son of Man is being handed over to be crucified.

Example V-NM-6b Infinitive of Purpose preceded by πρός

The infinitive of purpose places a stress on the intention of the person carrying out the action. Therefore it is appropriate to insert such key words as “In order to”, or “for the purpose of” in the translation.

not to do your righteousness before men to be seen by them , or

Do not do your righteousness before men to be seen by them

Example V-NM-6c Infinitive of Purpose preceded by definite article in the Genitive (τοῦ)

Jesus comes… to John, to be baptized by him.

Example V-NM-7 Infinitive of Result with no article

Behold, the Lion who is from the tribe of Judah … has conquered in order to open the scroll.

Example V-NM-7a Infinitive of Result with τοῦ

No one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people.

Example V-NM-7b Infinitive of Result with εἰς τό

do not let sin rule in your … body, in order to obey its lusts.

Example V-NM-7c Infinitive of Result with ὥστε

The Infinitive of Result with ὥστε may be actual or intended.

He taught them in their synagogue so as to astonish them

Example V-NM-9 Infinitive of Time with the aid of the preposition προ or πριν

From this moment I tell you, before it happens

Example V-NM-9a Infinitive of Time ἐν

ἐν (with the dative – τῷ) followed by the infinitive may be translated with the gloss – as, when, or while

The following example occurs in Luke 2:6. Mary and Joseph had just arrived in Bethlehem.

And it happened that, while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to deliver.

[Note]: In this example note that "αὐτοὺς" is in the accusative case but serves as the subject of the infinitive "εἶναι". As a verbal noun, an infinitive cannot have a subject, but be on the look out for a noun in the accustive that acts as if it were the subject of the infinitive. In this instance the pronoun is in the accusative plural instead of accusative singular.

Example V-NM-9b Infinitive of Time (μετὰ)

μετὰ (with the accusative – τὀ) followed by the infinitive may be translated with the gloss – after.

But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee

Example V-NM-9c Infinitive of Time (ἕως)

ἕως (with the genitive - τοῦ) followed by the infinitive may be translated with the gloss – until

Philip … was proclaiming the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

Example V-NM-10 Infinitive as the subject of sentence

An Infinitive can be used as the subject of a sentence. This is especially the case when a complementary verb such as:

• δεῖ (it is necessary),
• ἔξεστιν (it is permitted),
• μἐλλω (I am about),
• δὐnαμαι (I am able),
• ἄρχομαι (I am beginning),
• θἐλω (I wish),
• κελεὐω (I command), and
• ὀφείλω (I ought) are followed by an infinitive.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Example V-NM-10a Infinitive as a direct or indirect object

An infinitive can be used as a direct or indirect object in a sentence. The infinitive may or may not have the article.

He said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you."

Example V-NM-10b Infinitive modifying another word

An Infinitive may be used as an adjective to modify another word. When used to modify another noun or adjective the infinitive may occur with or without the article. When used as an adjective it is often used epexegetically to explain, clarify, or qualify the preceding noun.

But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know.”

Example V-NM-10c Infinitive of Apposition

An infinitive can be used in apposition to another noun. In this case it defines the noun as opposed to adding an explanatory comment about the noun. The helping word “Namely” could be used to identify the appositional use of a word.

The passage begins with “This is the will of God…

your sanctification: that you keep yourselves from sexual immorality

Note: In this case , the infinitive phrase , “ἀπέχεσθαι (to be away from, to abstain) from sexual immorality” defines the noun hagiasmos (sanctification).

It could also be translated as “This is your sanctification, namely for you to abstain from sexual immorality.

Example V-NM-10d Infinitives qualified by an adjective

An infinitive can also be qualified by an adjective or an adjectival phrase. In the following example an infinitive (τὸ ἐπιτελέσαι) is modified by an infinitival phrase (ἐκ τοῦ ἔχειν).

so also there may be the completion, from what you have