Original Word: ἐνίστημι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: enistémi
Pronunciation: en-IS-tay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (en-is'-tay-mee)
KJV: come, be at hand, present
NASB: present, come, things present
Word Origin: [from G1722 (ἔν - among) and G2476 (ἵστημι - standing)]

1. to place on hand
2. (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant

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

Word Origin
from 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).

STRONGS NT 1764: ἐνεστως

ἐνεστως, 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.)

Semantic Range and Thematic Overview

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.
• Romans 8:38 widens the horizon: “neither the present nor the future … will be able to separate us from the love of God.” Whatever is presently upon the believer, it is still subordinate to the unbreakable bond established in Christ. The juxtaposition of “present” and “future” threads the needle between an already-experienced redemption and a still-awaited consummation.

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.
• Hebrews 9:9 contrasts ritual sacrifices and the “present time,” declaring them unable to “perfect the conscience.” The writer underscores the transitory adequacy of old-covenant forms in light of Christ’s finished work, urging worship that aligns with the now-inaugurated new covenant.

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.
• 1 Corinthians 3:22 celebrates the believer’s inheritance: “all are yours—whether … the world or life or death, or the present or the future.” Even immediate hardships are folded into Christ’s lordship.

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.
2. Counseling should weigh immediate circumstances when guiding life decisions, echoing Paul’s pastoral care in Corinth.
3. Worship should highlight the superiority of the new covenant that is now operative.
4. Evangelism gains urgency: the evil of the present age is not abstract but experiential, making Christ’s rescue immediately relevant.

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.
• Submit present crises to Christ’s sovereignty, remembering that they neither surprise Him nor separate from Him.
• Live distinctly within a fallen era, confident that redemption is operative now.
• Prepare for intensifying challenges without despair, convinced that the same Lord who rules the present will reign in the consummation.

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.

ενεστηκεν ενέστηκεν ἐνέστηκεν ενεστηκοτα ενεστηκότα ἐνεστηκότα ενεστωσαν ενεστώσαν ἐνεστῶσαν ενεστωτα ενεστώτα ἐνεστῶτα ενεστωτος ενεστώτος ἐνεστῶτος ενστησονται ενστήσονται ἐνστήσονται enesteken enestēken enésteken enéstēken enestekota enestekóta enestēkota enestēkóta enestosan enestôsan enestōsan enestō̂san enestota enestôta enestōta enestō̂ta enestotos enestôtos enestōtos enestō̂tos enstesontai enstēsontai enstḗsontaiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts