Present Active Imperative
The Present Active Imperative is a command that calls for continuous or habitual action.
What is the Present Active Imperative?
The Present Active Imperative is a command that calls for continuous or habitual action. When a speaker uses the present imperative, they are telling someone to keep doing something, to make it a regular practice, or to adopt it as an ongoing lifestyle. The subject is to actively perform the action (active voice), and it is a direct command (imperative mood).
Why This Matters for Bible Study
The present imperative carries the force of "keep on doing this" or "make this your habit." When Jesus says "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7), all three imperatives are in the present tense: keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. This is not a command for a single request but for persistent, ongoing prayer. Similarly, "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4) uses the present imperative to call for perpetual joy, not momentary happiness.
Famous Verses Using the Present Active Imperative
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find."
The present imperative "aiteite" means "keep on asking." Jesus is not commanding a single prayer but a lifestyle of persistent, continual prayer. The present tense transforms this from a tip into a spiritual discipline.
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
The present imperative "chairete" calls for ongoing, habitual joy. Paul is not saying "be happy right now" but "make rejoicing your continuous state." The repetition ("again I say, Rejoice") reinforces the command for sustained joy.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another."
The present subjunctive "agapate" conveys continuous, ongoing love. Jesus is commanding a lifestyle of love, not a single act of kindness. It is to be the defining and perpetual mark of His disciples.
How It Compares to Related Forms
| Form | Aspect / Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Active Imperativecurrent | Continuous/habitual command | "Keep praying" (proseuchesthe) |
| Aorist Active Imperative | Urgent/decisive single command | "Pray (now)!" (proseuxasthe) |
| Present Active Indicative | Statement of ongoing fact | "You are praying" (proseuchesthe) |
Apply What You Have Learned
Put your knowledge of the Present Active Imperative into practice with these resources.