arche · ar-khay' · G746

beginning — the first cause, the origin; also first rule

from 756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1

exousia · ex-oo-see'-ah · G1849

authority — rightful power, dominion, liberty to act

from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” — Romans 13:1

From the decks: Exousia is Paul's word all through verses 1–3: authority held by delegation — 'there is no power but of God,' so no ruler owns his power; he holds it from above.

parakletos · par-ak'-lay-tos · G3875

the Comforter — an advocate called to one’s side

an intercessor, consoler:--advocate, comforter.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” — John 14:16

pleroma · play'-ro-mah · G4138

fullness — all that fills, the complete measure

from 4137; repletion or completion, i.e. (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as container, performance, period):--which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” — Galatians 4:4

From the decks: Pleroma is this lesson in one word: the time was FULL — God had filled the age to the brim with preparation before He sent forth His Son.

proginosko · prog-in-oce'-ko · G4267

to foreknow — to know beforehand, before it comes

from 4253 and 1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee:--foreknow (ordain), know (before).

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” — Romans 8:29

From the decks: Proginosko is to know beforehand, to foresee. It is the first of the two great verbs of Romans 8:29 — “whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate”: in the apostle's own order, the foreknowing stands before the predestinating.

eklektos · ek-lek-tos' · G1588

elect, chosen — picked out, select, choice

from 1586; select; by implication, favorite:--chosen, elect.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” — Colossians 3:12

ekloge · ek-log-ay' · G1589

election — God’s choice, His act of choosing

from 1586; (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely):--chosen, election.

“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)” — Romans 9:11

From the decks: Eklogē is Paul's word in verse 11 — “the purpose of God according to election.” Peter names its ground: “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:2) — God chooses in the light of all He foreknows (Romans 8:29).

eleutheria · el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah · G1657

liberty, freedom — the state of being set free

from 1658; freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial):--liberty.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” — Galatians 5:1

eleutheros · el-yoo'-ther-os · G1658

free — not a slave, at liberty, unrestrained

probably from the alternate of 2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability):--free (man, woman), at liberty.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36

epistrepho · ep-ee-stref'-o · G1994

to turn back, to be converted — to return and turn round

from 1909 and 4762; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally):--come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again).

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” — Acts 3:19

hilasterion · hil-as-tay'-ree-on · G2435

propitiation — the mercy seat, the place where wrath is satisfied

neuter of a derivative of 2433; an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple):--mercyseat, propitiation.

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” — Romans 3:25

From the decks: It is the word for the mercy seat — the golden lid of the Ark, where the blood was sprinkled on the day of atonement (Leviticus 16).

kaleo · kal-eh'-o · G2564

to call — to summon, to invite, to name

akin to the base of 2753; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).

“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” — Romans 8:30

katallage · kat-al-lag-ay' · G2643

reconciliation — enemies brought back into friendship

from 2644; exchange (figuratively, adjustment), i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor:--atonement, reconciliation(-ing).

“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” — Romans 5:11

From the decks: It is an exchange word: enmity exchanged for favour — the sinner restored to the divine favour he had lost. In verse 11 it is the very word rendered “the atonement” — the one place that word stands in the New Testament.

logizomai · log-id'-zom-ahee · G3049

to reckon — to count, to impute, to account

middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” — Romans 4:3

From the decks: It is a bookkeeper's word: to enter a sum to a man's account. God entered righteousness to Abraham's account — not because Abraham had earned the credit, but because he believed.

metanoeo · met-an-o-eh'-o · G3340

to repent — to change the mind and turn about

from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent.

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 3:2

teleo · tel-eh'-o · G5055

to finish — to complete, accomplish, pay in full

from 5056; to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt):--accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” — John 19:30

charisma · khar'-is-mah · G5486

a gift of grace — a free favour bestowed (a charisma)

from 5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:--(free) gift.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23

adikia · ad-ee-kee'-ah · G93

unrighteousness — injustice, wrongdoing, wickedness

from 94; (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” — Romans 1:18

hamartano · ham-ar-tan'-o · G264

to sin — to miss the mark, to err, to do wrong

perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and the base of 3313; properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” — Romans 3:23

anomia · an-om-ee'-ah · G458

lawlessness — life without law, iniquity

from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1 John 3:4

asebeia · as-eb'-i-ah · G763

ungodliness — impiety, no reverence toward God

from 765; impiety, i.e. (by implication) wickedness:--ungodly(-liness).

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” — Romans 1:18

dioko · dee-o'-ko · G1377

to persecute; to pursue — to chase after, to hunt down

a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of 1169 and 1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” — Matthew 5:11

krima · kree'-mah · G2917

judgment — a sentence passed, condemnation

from 2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")):--avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.

“But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” — Romans 2:2

From the decks: “The judgment of God” carries the chapter's opening argument (vv. 2–3) — and it is according to truth.

krino · kree'-no · G2919

to judge — to decide, to try, to pass sentence

properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

“Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.” — Romans 14:3

From the decks: Krinō runs through this chapter (vv. 3, 4, 10, 13): Paul forbids not discernment, but a brother seating himself on God's bench over another brother.

paraptoma · par-ap'-to-mah · G3900

a trespass — a fall, a slipping aside from the way

from 3895; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression:--fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.

“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” — Romans 11:11

From the decks: Paraptōma is Paul's word in verses 11–12, rendered “fall”: a side-slip — one step off the path. Israel slipped aside; they did not plunge beyond recovery: “God forbid” (v. 11).

hagiazo · hag-ee-ad'-zo · G37

to sanctify — to set apart, to make holy

from 40; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.

“And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” — John 17:19

energeo · en-erg-eh'-o · G1754

to work in — to be effectual, active within

from 1756; to be active, efficient:--do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in).

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” — James 5:16

From the decks: Energeo is to be at work, to work effectually — the word behind the verse's “effectual fervent.” James measures prayer not by its form but by its working: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

ergon · er'-gon · G2041

a work, a deed — labour done, business accomplished

from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” — Titus 3:5

makrothumia · mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah · G3115

longsuffering — patience that endures long under wrong

from the same as 3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” — James 5:10

From the decks: Makrothumia is patience with a long fuse: makro, long, joined to thymos, wrath — slow to burn under provocation. James sounds it through the patience section: be patient (v. 7), the husbandman's long patience (v. 7), be ye also patient (v. 8), the prophets' patience (v. 10).

nikao · nik-ah'-o · G3528

to overcome — to conquer, to prevail, to get the victory

from 3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively):--conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” — Revelation 2:7

From the decks: The promise of every letter is spoken to 'him that overcometh' (vv. 7, 11, 17, 26): the word is nikaō — to conquer and prevail — a real contest with a real crown, not a figure of speech.

parakaleo · par-ak-al-eh'-o · G3870

to beseech, to exhort — to call near and urge; also to comfort

from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” — 2 Corinthians 6:1

peirazo · pi-rad'-zo · G3985

to tempt; to try — to test, to prove, to entice

from 3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:--assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.

“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” — Matthew 4:1

pistos · pis-tos' · G4103

faithful — trustworthy, true, full of faith

from 3982; objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful:--believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true.

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” — Revelation 2:10

praus · prah-ooce' · G4239

meek — gentle, mild, humble in spirit

apparently a primary word; mild, i.e. (by implication) humble:--meek. See also 4235.

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” — Matthew 5:5

prosopolepsia · pros-o-pol-ape-see'-ah · G4382

respect of persons — partiality, favouritism of faces

from 4381; partiality, i.e. favoritism:--respect of persons.

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” — James 2:1

From the decks: Prosopolempsia is receiving a man by his outward face — his ring, his raiment, his rank (vv. 1–4). God looks on the heart; the partial man looks on the clothing.

suschematizo · soos-khay-mat-id'-zo · G4964

to be conformed — fashioned after an outward pattern

from 4862 and a derivative of 4976; to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern (figuratively):--conform to, fashion self according to.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” — Romans 12:2

From the decks: Syschēmatizō is Paul's word in verse 2: to be fashioned after an outward pattern — the world pressing the believer into its mould: its fashions, its speech, its loves.

teleios · tel'-i-os · G5046

perfect — complete, full-grown, come to the end

from 5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness:--of full age, man, perfect.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48

hupakouo · hoop-ak-oo'-o · G5219

to obey — to listen under, to hearken and submit

from 5259 and 191; to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority:--hearken, be obedient to, obey.

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” — Romans 6:17

hupomone · hoop-om-on-ay' · G5281

patience — steadfast endurance that stays under trial

from 5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:--enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” — Romans 5:3

philadelphia · fil-ad-el-fee'-ah · G5360

brotherly love — love of the brethren

from 5361; fraternal affection:--brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” — Romans 12:10

From the decks: The church at Philadelphia is named by this very word: philadelphia — brotherly love, love of the brethren; the city bore the name, and the church's life matched it — she kept Christ's word and denied not His name.

apostello · ap-os-tel'-lo · G649

to send forth — to dispatch with a commission

from 575 and 4724; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” — John 20:21

episkopos · ep-is'-kop-os · G1985

a bishop, an overseer — one who watches over the flock

from 1909 and 4649 (in the sense of 1983); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively):--bishop, overseer.

“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” — 1 Peter 2:25

matheteuo · math-ayt-yoo'-o · G3100

to make disciples — to teach men into followers

from 3101; intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e. enrol as scholar:--be disciple, instruct, teach.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” — Matthew 28:19

From the decks: Matheteuo is the Great Commission in one word: Christ did not command His church merely to inform the nations, but to DISCIPLE them — to enrol them as His scholars. Patrick, Columba, Augustine, and Boniface spent their lives doing exactly that.

poimen · poy-mane' · G4166

a shepherd — one who tends, feeds and guards the flock

of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):--shepherd, pastor.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11

apologia · ap-ol-og-ee'-ah · G627

a defense — a reasoned answer given for the faith

from the same as 626; a plea ("apology"):--answer (for self), clearing of self, defence.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” — 1 Peter 3:15

From the decks: Apologia is a courtroom word: a reasoned defence spoken before accusers. The fathers were the church's advocates — Justin addressed his Apologies to the emperor himself; Tertullian, the trained lawyer, argued the Christian case in his Apology.

gnosis · gno'-sis · G1108

knowledge — knowing, recognition, understanding

from 1097; knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge:--knowledge, science.

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1

From the decks: Gnosis is the word Gnosticism is named for: the secret knowledge its teachers claimed could save, held out to the enlightened few — where the church's gospel is public, preached openly to all men.

theopneustos · theh-op'-nyoo-stos · G2315

God-breathed — given by inspiration of God

from 2316 and a presumed derivative of 4154; divinely breathed in:--given by inspiration of God.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” — 2 Timothy 3:16

From the decks: Theopneustos sounds exactly once in the New Testament — at 2 Timothy 3:16 — and it is said of the Scripture, not of the writers: the writings themselves are God-breathed.

homologeo · hom-ol-og-eh'-o · G3670

to confess — to say the same thing, to agree aloud

from a compound of the base of 3674 and 3056; to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge:--con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” — Romans 10:10

From the decks: Homologeō is Paul's word in verses 9–10 — “confess with thy mouth,” “confession is made unto salvation”: to say the same thing as another — to own Jesus as Lord, out loud.

parrhesia · par-rhay-see'-ah · G3954

boldness — freedom and plainness of speech, confidence

from 3956 and a derivative of 4483; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:--bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly(-ness).

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” — Acts 4:13

rhema · hray'-mah · G4487

a word spoken — an utterance, a saying, a matter spoken

from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17

apollumi · ap-ol'-loo-mee · G622

to perish — to be lost utterly, to be destroyed

from 575 and the base of 3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

apoleia · ap-o'-li-a · G684

destruction, perdition — utter loss and ruin

from a presumed derivative of 622; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):--damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.

“Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” — Philippians 3:19

therismos · ther-is-mos' · G2326

the harvest — the time of ingathering

from 2325; reaping, i.e. the crop:--harvest.

“And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” — Revelation 14:15

From the decks: The word sounds at verse 15 — 'for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' Therismos is the reaping itself: not the field, but the crop taken in — the moment the growing season ends and what has ripened is gathered.

thlipsis · thlip'-sis · G2347

tribulation — pressure, affliction, crushing trouble

from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” — Revelation 7:14

From the decks: The word sounds once in the chapter, at verse 14 — 'great tribulation.' In the Greek, the elder's phrase carries the article with weight: the tribulation, the great one — not trouble in general, but that particular season our Lord Himself named: ‘then shall be great tribulation’ (Matthew 24:21).

kainos · kahee-nos' · G2537

new — new in kind and quality, fresh, unworn

of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while 3501 is properly so with respect to age:--new.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” — Revelation 21:1

From the decks: Kainos sounds four times in this chapter: a new heaven and a new earth (v. 1), new Jerusalem (v. 2), and from the throne — 'Behold, I make all things new' (v. 5). God's newness is never the old patched up; it is a new creation.

semeion · say-mi'-on · G4592

a sign — a miracle, a token, a wonder that points

neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4591; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:--miracle, sign, token, wonder.

“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” — John 2:11