γίνομαι

Meaning

To Become

To Come into being

Generate

To Happen

Brought to pass

Verb.

Different from εἰμί (which means “to be” - a state of existence); γίνομαι, instead, emphasizes coming to be - a transition or event.

Biblical Examples and Theological Significance

Incarnation

Καὶ ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο — “And the Word became flesh.” ()

Here γίνομαι expresses the profound truth of divine becoming: the eternal Word entered creation

Creation and Existence

πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο — “All things came into being through Him.” ()

It conveys creation ex nihilo - everything came into existence through the Logos.

Historical Events (“it came to pass”)

Frequently used in narrative openings (especially in Luke and Acts) to mark events unfolding in history.

Transformation and Calling

γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου — “Let your will be done.” ()

Used in prayers and divine actions expressing God’s will being brought into effect.

Comparison with similar verbs

Verb	Meaning	Key Distinction
εἰμί	to be (stative existence)	describes state, not change
γίνομαι	to become (dynamic process)	emphasizes transition, result
ποιέω	to make, do	focuses on producing something, not on becoming

Grammatical forms

Present Indicative Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	γίνομαι	I become / I am becoming
2nd person singular	γίνῃ	You become / You are becoming
3rd person singular	γίνεται	He / she / it becomes
1st person plural	γινόμεθα	We become
2nd person plural	γίνεσθε	You (plural) become
3rd person plural	γίνονται	They become

Future Indicative Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	γενήσομαι	I will become
2nd person singular	γενήσῃ	You will become
3rd person singular	γενήσεται	He / she / it will become
1st person plural	γενησόμεθα	We will become
2nd person plural	γενήσεσθε	You (plural) will become
3rd person plural	γενήσονται	They will become

Aorist Indicative Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	ἐγενόμην	I became
2nd person singular	ἐγένου	You became
3rd person singular	ἐγένετο	He / she / it became
1st person plural	ἐγενόμεθα	We became
2nd person plural	ἐγένεσθε	You (plural) became
3rd person plural	ἐγένοντο	They became

Perfect Indicative Active

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	γέγονα	I have become
2nd person singular	γέγονας	You have become
3rd person singular	γέγονεν	He / she / it has become
1st person plural	γεγόναμεν	We have become
2nd person plural	γεγόνᾱτε	You (plural) have become
3rd person plural	γεγόνασι(ν)	They have become

Pluperfect Indicative Active

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	ἐγεγόνειν	I had become
2nd person singular	ἐγεγόνεις	You had become
3rd person singular	ἐγεγόνει	He / she / it had become
1st person plural	ἐγεγόνειμεν	We had become
2nd person plural	ἐγεγόνειτε	You (plural) had become
3rd person plural	ἐγεγόνεισαν	They had become

Present Subjunctive Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	γίνωμαι	that I may become
2nd person singular	γίνῃ	that you may become
3rd person singular	γίνηται	that he / she / it may become
1st person plural	γινώμεθα	that we may become
2nd person plural	γίνεσθε	that you (plural) may become
3rd person plural	γίνωνται	that they may become

Aorist Subjunctive Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
1st person singular	γένωμαι	that I may become
2nd person singular	γένῃ	that you may become
3rd person singular	γένηται	that he / she / it may become
1st person plural	γενώμεθα	that we may become
2nd person plural	γένησθε	that you (plural) may become
3rd person plural	γένωνται	that they may become

Present Imperative Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
2nd person singular	γίνου	become! / be becoming!
3rd person singular	γινέσθω	let him / her / it become!
2nd person plural	γίνεσθε	become! (you plural)
3rd person plural	γινέσθωσαν	let them become!

Aorist Imperative Middle (Active in Meaning)

Person and Number	Greek Form	English Translation
2nd person singular	γένοῦ	become! / come to be!
3rd person singular	γενέσθω	let him / her / it become!
2nd person plural	γένεσθε	become! (you plural)
3rd person plural	γενέσθωσαν	let them become!