BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Nyn (νῦν) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
νῦν (nyn, G3568) is a Greek adverb of time meaning 'now,' used both to mark the present moment and to signal transition or emphasis in an argument.
Meaning of the word
νῦν is an adverb of date primarily meaning 'now' — the present moment in contrast to the past or future. The lexicon describes it as 'now' in the sense of a transition or emphasis, showing that the word often does more than simply point to the clock-time of the speaker.
Beyond its temporal sense, νῦν can also function as a noun or adjective, carrying the idea of something 'present' or 'immediate.' In argument it serves as a pivot word: it draws a line between what was true before and what holds at this moment, pressing the reader to act on the new reality being asserted.
Usage in Scripture
In John's upper-room discourse, νῦν marks the hinge of Jesus' final words to the disciples. He says, 'And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe' (John 14:29), and shortly after, 'But now I go unto him that sent me' (John 16:5). Here the word signals that the moment of departure has arrived and that prior promises are now being fulfilled. In John 17:5 the prayer 'And now, Father, glorify thou me' uses νῦν to set the cross and exaltation against the eternal glory shared before the world was.
In Romans, νῦν carries argumentative weight. 'Being now justified by his blood' (Romans 5:9) and 'we have now received the reconciliation' (Romans 5:11) draw a sharp line between the former state of enmity and the present standing of believers. Romans 3:25 frames the cross as God's present demonstration of righteousness, and Romans 6:21's question — 'What fruit then had ye at that time... whereof ye are now ashamed?' — uses the word to contrast past behavior with present evaluation.
The word in detail
- G3568 νῦν (nyn) is a Greek adverb of time meaning 'now.' The lexicon entry stresses that it marks a transition or emphasis rather than a neutral time stamp, so translators should preserve the argumentative force, not just the temporal one.
Example verses
- John 14:29 νῦν frames predictive prophecy: Jesus has spoken 'now,' before the event, so that future fulfillment will strengthen, not originate, faith.
- John 16:5 Here νῦν marks the decisive moment of departure, contrasting the disciples' silence with the reality that the cross is now at hand.
- Romans 5:9 'Being now justified' uses νῦν to assert a present, settled status — the basis from which future deliverance from wrath is inferred ('much more then').
- Romans 6:21 νῦν contrasts past fruit with present shame: what once seemed gain is now evaluated as shameful, driving the argument against returning to sin.
Common questions
Is νῦν only about clock-time?
No. While it literally means 'now,' the lexicon highlights that it frequently marks transition or emphasis, so it often functions as a pivot in an argument, not just a time stamp.
How is νῦν typically translated in the KJV?
It is usually rendered 'now,' and occasionally 'present' or 'at this time,' depending on whether it stands as an adverb of date or as an adjective/noun.
Does νῦν appear in John 17, and what role does it play there?
Yes, in the high-priestly prayer. 'And now, Father, glorify thou me' (John 17:5) uses νῦν to set the present hour of the cross against the pre-creation glory, framing the crucifixion as the appointed moment of exaltation.