Category Archives: Synonyms

Synonyms of the New Testament

Synonyms: Two Dimensions of Love: ἀγαπάω and φιλέω in the Greek New Testament

Few word pairs in the Greek New Testament have received as much theological and devotional attention as ἀγαπάω and φιλέω. Both are typically translated “to love,” yet their nuances differ significantly. While these differences can sometimes overlap, especially in Koine … Continue reading

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Synonyms: Malice in the Heart: κακία and κακοήθεια in the Greek New Testament

Two Greek words—κακία and κακοήθεια—provide insight into the inner world of moral corruption in the New Testament. While both relate to evil or badness, their applications are distinct. κακία denotes general moral depravity or wickedness in character. κακοήθεια, however, Study … Continue reading

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Synonyms: From Cowardice to Reverence: δειλία, φόβος, and εὐλάβεια in the Greek New Testament

Fear in the New Testament is expressed through multiple Greek terms, each with unique connotations. The words δειλία, φόβος, and εὐλάβεια represent three distinct responses to danger, authority, or the divine: cowardice, terror or dread, and reverence. Their careful usage … Continue reading

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Synonyms: Servants in Function and Faith: θεράπων, δοῦλος, διάκονος, οἰκέτης, ὑπηρέτης in the Greek New Testament

The vocabulary of servanthood in the Greek New Testament is strikingly diverse. Rather than using a single term for “servant,” the Holy Spirit—through the inspired authors—employs a spectrum of words: θεράπων, δοῦλος, διάκονος, οἰκέτης, and ὑπηρέτης. These Study more …..

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Synonyms: Truth in Essence and Truth in Reality: ἀληθής and ἀληθινός in the Greek New Testament

Ἀληθής and ἀληθινός are powerful and subtly distinct adjectives in the Greek New Testament. Though both are translated as “true,” their shades of meaning reveal significant theological depth, especially in the writings of John and the broader Hellenistic background. In the Greek … Continue reading

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Synonyms: Justice and Correction in the Greek New Testament: τιμωρία and κόλασις

The Greek terms τιμωρία (timōria) and κόλασις (kolasis) are both associated with punishment, yet they diverge in motivation, context, and theological function in profound ways. While both τιμωρία and κόλασις are commonly translated as “punishment” in English, they carry Study … Continue reading

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Synonyms: True and False Divine Speech: προφητεύω and μαντεύομαι in the Greek New Testament

Among the various Greek terms for divine communication, προφητεύω and μαντεύομαι stand as a deliberate contrast between true prophetic revelation and false, pagan divination. Though both relate to utterances about the divine or the future, their sources, motives, and theological … Continue reading

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Synonyms: Holy Devotion or Divine Curse? ἀνάθημα and ἀνάθεμα in the Greek New Testament

The Greek words ἀνάθημα and ἀνάθεμα are among the most striking examples of near-homographs with completely different meanings in the New Testament. Though both stem from the root ἀνατίθημι (“to set up, to dedicate”), their divergence in usage and theological … Continue reading

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Synonyms: Corrective Language in the Greek New Testament: ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω

The Greek New Testament uses various terms to express rebuke, correction, conviction, and exposure of wrongdoing. Among these, ἐπιτιμάω and ἐλέγχω emerge as two major verbs associated with verbal discipline or moral judgment. While both can involve confrontation, they differ … Continue reading

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Synonyms: The Temple in Two Dimensions: ἱερόν and ναός in the Greek New Testament

In the Greek New Testament, the terms ἱερόν and ναός both refer to the “temple,” yet they carry significantly different nuances and theological implications. Both terms are rooted in Greek religious vocabulary, yet when employed by New Testament writers—especially in … Continue reading

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Synonyms: Divine Essence and Nature in the Greek New Testament: θεότης and θειότης

Among the many nuanced terms used to describe the divine in the Greek New Testament, θεότης and θειότης stand out for their subtle distinctions and theological depth. Both derive from the root θεός (“God”), yet their forms and usages convey … Continue reading

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Introduction to the Synonyms: ἐκκλησία, συναγωγή, πανήγυρις

In the Greek New Testament, the words ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia), συναγωγή (synagōgē), and πανήγυρις (panēgyris) appear with overlapping connotations of gathering, assembly, and community. However, they diverge significantly in origin, usage, and theological weight. This article Study more …..

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