Word Studies¶
Question¶
What did Jesus specifically teach about the law and commandments across all four Gospels and John's epistles?
G1785 -- entole (commandment)¶
Original: ἐντολή Transliteration: entole Pronunciation: en-tol-ay Part of Speech: Feminine noun Total KJV Occurrences: 43 (BLB count: 71 including LXX)
Definition: From G1781 (entellomai); injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. An authoritative command.
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| commandment | 23 | 53.5% |
| commandments | 12 | 27.9% |
| precept | 2 | 4.7% |
| a commandment | 2 | 4.7% |
| other forms | 4 | 9.3% |
Key Verses in This Study¶
- Mat 19:17 -- "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments [entolas]"
- Mat 22:36 -- "which is the great commandment [entole] in the law?"
- Mat 22:38 -- "This is the first and great commandment [entole]"
- Mat 22:40 -- "On these two commandments [entolais] hang all the law"
- Mark 7:8 -- "laying aside the commandment [entolen] of God, ye hold the tradition of men"
- Mark 7:9 -- "Full well ye reject the commandment [entolen] of God"
- Mark 10:19 -- "Thou knowest the commandments [entolas]"
- Mark 12:28 -- "Which is the first commandment [entole] of all?"
- John 13:34 -- "A new commandment [entolen] I give unto you"
- John 14:15 -- "If ye love me, keep my commandments [entolas]"
- John 14:21 -- "He that hath my commandments [entolas] and keepeth them"
- John 15:10 -- "If ye keep my commandments [entolas]...I have kept my Father's commandments [entolas]"
- John 15:12 -- "This is my commandment [entole]"
- 1 John 2:3 -- "if we keep his commandments [entolas]"
- 1 John 2:4 -- "keepeth not his commandments [entolas]"
- 1 John 2:7 -- "I write no new commandment [entolen]...but an old commandment [entole]"
- 1 John 3:22-24 -- "we keep his commandments [entolas]...his commandment [entole]...keepeth his commandments [entolas]"
- 1 John 4:21 -- "this commandment [entolen] have we from him"
- 1 John 5:2-3 -- "keep his commandments [entolas]...his commandments [entolas] are not grievous"
- 2 John 1:4-6 -- "commandment [entolen] from the Father...not a new commandment [entolen]...walk after his commandments [entolas]"
- Rev 12:17 -- "keep the commandments [entolas] of God"
- Rev 14:12 -- "keep the commandments [entolas] of God"
- Rev 22:14 -- "do his commandments [entolas]"
Distribution Pattern¶
Entole appears with high density in: 1. Jesus's Synoptic teaching (Rich Young Ruler, Greatest Commandment, Corban controversy) 2. John's Upper Room Discourse (John 13-15) 3. 1 John (2:3-7, 3:22-24, 4:21, 5:2-3) 4. Revelation (12:17, 14:12, 22:14)
The same word (entole) is used for: - The Decalogue commandments Jesus cites to the rich young ruler - The greatest commandment(s) from Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18 - God's commandments that the Pharisees "reject" (Mark 7:8-9) - Jesus's "my commandments" (John 14:15, 15:10) - The "new commandment" (John 13:34) - The commandments John says to keep (1 John 2:3, 3:22, 5:3) - The commandments God's people keep in Revelation (12:17, 14:12, 22:14)
G3551 -- nomos (law)¶
Original: νόμος Transliteration: nomos Pronunciation: nom-os Part of Speech: Masculine noun Total KJV Occurrences: 169 (BLB count: 197 including LXX)
Definition: From a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law.
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| law | 95 | 56.2% |
| the law | 49 | 29.0% |
| of the law | 14 | 8.3% |
| other forms | 11 | 6.5% |
Key Verses in This Study¶
- Mat 5:17 -- "Think not that I am come to destroy the law [nomon]"
- Mat 5:18 -- "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law [nomou]"
- Mat 7:12 -- "for this is the law [nomos] and the prophets"
- Mat 22:36 -- "the great commandment in the law [nomo]"
- Mat 22:40 -- "On these two commandments hang all the law [nomos] and the prophets"
- Mat 23:23 -- "the weightier matters of the law [nomou]"
- Luke 16:17 -- "one tittle of the law [nomou] to fail"
- Rom 7:7 -- "I had not known sin, but by the law [nomou]"
- Rom 7:12 -- "the law [nomos] is holy"
- Rom 13:8 -- "he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law [nomon]"
- Rom 13:10 -- "love is the fulfilling of the law [nomou]"
- Jas 2:8 -- "the royal law [nomon]"
- Jas 2:12 -- "the law [nomou] of liberty"
- 1 John 3:4 -- "sin is the transgression of the law [anomia = lawlessness, a-nomos]"
G458 -- anomia (lawlessness/iniquity)¶
Original: ἀνομία Transliteration: anomia Pronunciation: an-om-ee-ah Part of Speech: Feminine noun Total KJV Occurrences: 13 (BLB count: 15 including LXX)
Definition: From G459 (anomos); illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness.
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| iniquity | 7 | 53.8% |
| iniquities | 3 | 23.1% |
| to iniquity | 1 | 7.7% |
| unrighteousness | 1 | 7.7% |
| of iniquity | 1 | 7.7% |
All NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | KJV Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Mat 7:23 | iniquity | "depart from me, ye that work iniquity [anomian]" |
| Mat 13:41 | iniquity | "gather out...them which do iniquity [anomian]" |
| Mat 23:28 | iniquity | "within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity [anomias]" |
| Mat 24:12 | iniquity | "because iniquity [anomian] shall abound" |
| Rom 4:7 | iniquities | "whose iniquities [anomiai] are forgiven" (quoting Psa 32:1) |
| Rom 6:19 | to iniquity | "unto iniquity [anomia] unto iniquity [anomian]" |
| 2 Cor 6:14 | unrighteousness | "what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness [anomia]" |
| 2 Thes 2:3 | iniquity | "that man of sin...the son of perdition" (contextual anomia) |
| 2 Thes 2:7 | iniquity | "the mystery of iniquity [anomias]" |
| Tit 2:14 | iniquity | "redeem us from all iniquity [anomias]" |
| Heb 1:9 | iniquity | "loved righteousness, and hated iniquity [anomian]" |
| Heb 8:12 | iniquities | "their iniquities [anomion] will I remember no more" |
| Heb 10:17 | iniquities | "their sins and iniquities [anomion] will I remember no more" |
| 1 John 3:4 (2x) | transgression of the law | "sin is the transgression of the law [anomia]" |
Etymological Note¶
Anomia = a (negative prefix) + nomos (law) = "without law" or "lawlessness" The word is structurally linked to nomos (G3551). To be in a state of anomia is to be in a state of opposition to or violation of nomos. The KJV often translates this as "iniquity," obscuring the law-connection visible in the Greek.
Key Observation¶
Jesus uses anomia in: - Mat 7:23 -- rejecting "workers of lawlessness" at the judgment - Mat 13:41 -- angels gathering those who "do lawlessness" out of His kingdom - Mat 23:28 -- Pharisees internally full of "lawlessness" - Mat 24:12 -- end-time increase of "lawlessness" causing love to grow cold
John uses anomia in: - 1 John 3:4 -- defines sin (hamartia) as anomia (lawlessness)
Both Jesus and John presuppose a law (nomos) against which sin (anomia = a-nomos) is measured.
G459 -- anomos (lawless, adj.)¶
Original: ἄνομος Transliteration: anomos Pronunciation: an-om-os Part of Speech: Adjective Total KJV Occurrences: 10 (BLB count: 10)
Definition: From G1 (alpha negative) and G3551 (nomos); lawless, i.e. (negatively) not subject to (the Jewish) law; (by implication, a Gentile), or (positively) wicked.
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| the transgressors | 2 | 20% |
| without law | 2 | 20% |
| wicked / Wicked | 2 | 20% |
| lawless / unlawful | 2 | 20% |
| other | 2 | 20% |
Key Verses¶
- Mark 15:28 / Luke 22:37 -- "he was numbered with the transgressors [anomoi]"
- Acts 2:23 -- "by wicked [anomoi] hands have crucified and slain"
- 1 Cor 9:21 -- "to them that are without law [anomoi], as without law [anomos]"
- 1 Tim 1:9 -- "the law is...for the lawless [anomois] and disobedient"
- 2 Thes 2:8 -- "that Wicked [anomos]" (the man of sin)
- 2 Pet 2:8 -- "vexed with the unlawful [anomoi] deeds"
G460 -- anomos (lawlessly, adv.)¶
Original: ἀνόμως Transliteration: anomos (adverb) Pronunciation: an-om-oce Part of Speech: Adverb Total KJV Occurrences: 2
Definition: Adverb from G459; lawlessly, i.e. (specially) not amenable to (the Jewish) law.
Occurrences¶
- Rom 2:12 -- "as many as have sinned without law [anomos] shall also perish without law [anomos]"
G2537 -- kainos (new, in quality)¶
Original: καινός Transliteration: kainos Pronunciation: kahee-nos Part of Speech: Adjective Total KJV Occurrences: 39 (BLB count: 44 including LXX)
Definition: Of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while G3501 neos is properly "new" in time).
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| new | 23 | 59.0% |
| a new | 9 | 23.1% |
| other forms | 7 | 17.9% |
Key Distinction: kainos vs. neos¶
- kainos (G2537): New in quality, freshness, character. Something qualitatively different or renewed.
- neos (G3501): New in time, recently made. Something chronologically recent.
Key Verses¶
- John 13:34 -- "A new [kainen] commandment I give unto you"
- 1 John 2:7-8 -- "I write no new [kainen] commandment...an old commandment...Again, a new [kainen] commandment I write unto you"
- 2 John 1:5 -- "not as though I wrote a new [kainen] commandment"
- Jer 31:31 (LXX) -- "I will make a new [kainen] covenant"
- Mat 26:28-29 -- "new [kaines] testament...drink it new [kainon]"
- 2 Cor 5:17 -- "a new [kaine] creature"
- Eph 2:15 -- "one new [kainon] man"
- Heb 8:8,13 -- "a new [kainen] covenant...a new [kainen] covenant"
- Rev 21:1,2,5 -- "a new [kainon] heaven and a new [kainen] earth...the new [kainen] Jerusalem...I make all things new [kaina]"
Usage Pattern¶
Kainos is consistently used for qualitative renewal or deepening: - New covenant = renewed/internalized covenant (not a brand new idea but the same law written on hearts) - New creation = transformed quality of life - New commandment = love deepened to the standard of Christ's love ("as I have loved you") - New heaven and earth = purified/renewed creation
G2647 -- kataluo (destroy/demolish)¶
Original: καταλύω Transliteration: kataluo Pronunciation: kat-al-oo-oh Part of Speech: Verb Total KJV Occurrences: 20 (BLB count: 17)
Definition: From G2596 (kata, down) and G3089 (luo, to loosen); to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively).
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| to destroy / destroy / destroyest | 6 | 30% |
| shall be thrown down | 3 | 15% |
| dissolved | 1 | 5% |
| overthrow | 1 | 5% |
| come to nought | 1 | 5% |
| lodge / guest | 2 | 10% |
| I destroyed | 1 | 5% |
Key Verse¶
- Mat 5:17 -- "Think not that I am come to destroy [katalusai] the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy [katalusai], but to fulfil."
All Uses (showing consistent meaning of physical/structural demolition)¶
- Mat 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6 -- temple "thrown down" [kataluthesetai]
- Mat 26:61, Mark 14:58, 15:29 -- "able to destroy [katalusai] the temple"
- Mat 27:40 -- "Thou that destroyest [kataluon] the temple"
- Acts 5:38-39 -- "it will come to nought [kataluthesetai]" / "ye cannot overthrow [katalusai] it"
- Acts 6:14 -- "Jesus shall destroy [katalusei] this place"
- Rom 14:20 -- "destroy [katalue] not the work of God"
- 2 Cor 5:1 -- "if our earthly house...were dissolved [kataluthe]"
- Gal 2:18 -- "if I build again the things which I destroyed [katelusa]"
(Studied in detail in law-12-matthew-5-17-20)
G4137 -- pleroo (fulfill/fill full)¶
Original: πληρόω Transliteration: pleroo Pronunciation: play-ro-oh Part of Speech: Verb Total KJV Occurrences: 72 (BLB count: 90 including LXX)
Definition: From G4134 (pleres, full); to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify.
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| fulfilled / be fulfilled / was fulfilled / etc. | ~30 | ~42% |
| filled / fill / full | ~15 | ~21% |
| complete / perfect | 3 | ~4% |
| other forms | ~24 | ~33% |
Key Verse¶
- Mat 5:17 -- "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil [plerosai]"
- Rom 8:4 -- "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled [plerothe] in us"
- Rom 13:8 -- "he that loveth another hath fulfilled [pepleroken] the law"
- Gal 5:14 -- "all the law is fulfilled [peplerotai] in one word"
(Studied in detail in law-12-matthew-5-17-20)
G1772 -- ennomos (in-law, lawful)¶
Original: ἔννομος Transliteration: ennomos Pronunciation: en-nom-os Part of Speech: Adjective Total KJV Occurrences: 2
Definition: From G1722 (en, in) and G3551 (nomos, law); (subjectively) legal, or (objectively) subject to law.
Occurrences¶
- Acts 19:39 -- "in a lawful [ennomo] assembly"
- 1 Cor 9:21 -- "being...under the law [ennomos] to Christ"
Significance¶
Paul describes himself as ennomos Christou -- "in-law to Christ" or "under the law of Christ." This term places Paul within a law framework, not outside of all law. The en- prefix (within) contrasts with the a- prefix in a-nomos (without law).
G1379 -- dogmatizo (decree/dogmatize)¶
Original: δογματίζω Transliteration: dogmatizo Pronunciation: dog-mat-id-zo Part of Speech: Verb Total KJV Occurrences: 1
Definition: From G1378 (dogma); to prescribe by statute, i.e. (reflexively) to submit to ceremonial rule.
Occurrence¶
- Col 2:20 -- "why...are ye subject to ordinances [dogmatizesthe]?"
Significance¶
This is the only NT occurrence. It refers specifically to submitting to decrees/ordinances (dogmata), the same word family used in Col 2:14 (dogmasin) for what was "blotted out" and "nailed to the cross." This vocabulary is distinct from entole (G1785, commandment) and nomos (G3551, law). (Studied in detail in law-08)
G5218 -- hupakoe (obedience)¶
Original: ὑπακοή Transliteration: hupakoe Pronunciation: hoop-ak-o-ay Part of Speech: Feminine noun Total KJV Occurrences: 15
Definition: From G5219 (hupakouo); attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission.
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| obedience | 8 | 53.3% |
| obedient | 2 | 13.3% |
| the obedience | 2 | 13.3% |
| other forms | 3 | 20% |
Key Verses¶
- Rom 1:5 -- "for obedience [hupakoen] to the faith among all nations"
- Rom 5:19 -- "by the obedience [hupakoes] of one shall many be made righteous"
- Rom 6:16 -- "ye yield yourselves servants to obey...of obedience [hupakoes] unto righteousness"
- Rom 16:26 -- "for the obedience [hupakoen] of faith"
- Heb 5:8 -- "yet learned he obedience [hupakoen] by the things which he suffered"
- 1 Pet 1:2 -- "unto obedience [hupakoen] and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ"
- 1 Pet 1:14 -- "As obedient [hupakoes] children"
- 1 Pet 1:22 -- "ye have purified your souls in obeying [hupakoe] the truth"
G1398 -- douleuo (serve)¶
Original: δουλεύω Transliteration: douleuo Pronunciation: dool-yoo-oh Part of Speech: Verb Total KJV Occurrences: 25
Definition: From G1401 (doulos, slave); to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary).
Translations in KJV¶
| Translation | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| serve / serving | 10 | 40% |
| in bondage / be in bondage | 3 | 12% |
| service / doing service | 3 | 12% |
| other forms | 9 | 36% |
Key Verses in This Study¶
- Mat 6:24 -- "No man can serve [douleuein] two masters...Ye cannot serve [douleuein] God and mammon"
- Luke 16:13 -- "No servant can serve [douleuein] two masters...Ye cannot serve [douleuein] God and mammon" (same saying as Mat 6:24, in context of Luke 16:17 law passage)
- Rom 7:6 -- "that we should serve [douleuein] in newness of spirit"
- Rom 7:25 -- "So then with the mind I myself serve [douleuo] the law of God"
- Gal 5:13 -- "by love serve [douleuete] one another"
Greek Parsing Results¶
John 13:34¶
Greek: ἐντολὴν καινὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν, ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς ἠγάπησα ὑμᾶς ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἐντολὴν | ἐντολή | G1785 | Noun, Acc Sg F |
| καινὴν | καινός | G2537 | Adj, Acc Sg F |
| δίδωμι | δίδωμι | G1325 | Verb, Pres Act Ind, 1st Sg |
| ἀγαπᾶτε | ἀγαπάω | G25 | Verb, Pres Act Subj, 2nd Pl |
| ἠγάπησα | ἀγαπάω | G25 | Verb, Aor Act Ind, 1st Sg |
Notes: The "new" (kainen, G2537) modifies "commandment" (entolen, G1785). The purpose clause (hina + subjunctive) shows the commandment's content: "that you should love [agapate] one another." The standard is Christ's love (kathos egapesa humas = "as I have loved you"), stated in the aorist tense indicating completed action.
1 John 3:4¶
Greek: Πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Πᾶς | πᾶς | G3956 | Adj, Nom Sg M ("everyone") |
| ποιῶν | ποιέω | G4160 | Verb, Pres Act Ptcp, Nom Sg M ("doing/committing") |
| ἁμαρτίαν | ἁμαρτία | G266 | Noun, Acc Sg F ("sin") |
| ἀνομίαν | ἀνομία | G458 | Noun, Acc Sg F ("lawlessness") |
| ποιεῖ | ποιέω | G4160 | Verb, Pres Act Ind, 3rd Sg ("does/commits") |
| ἁμαρτία | ἁμαρτία | G266 | Noun, Nom Sg F ("sin") |
| ἐστὶν | εἰμί | G1510 | Verb, Pres Act Ind, 3rd Sg ("is") |
| ἀνομία | ἀνομία | G458 | Noun, Nom Sg F ("lawlessness") |
Notes: The structure is an identity statement: "he hamartia estin he anomia" = "the sin IS the lawlessness." Both nouns have the definite article (he), making this a convertible proposition: sin = lawlessness and lawlessness = sin. The present tense participle (poion) indicates habitual/ongoing action. The equation is absolute: sin is defined as anomia (lawlessness).
Matthew 7:23¶
Greek: καὶ τότε ὁμολογήσω αὐτοῖς ὅτι Οὐδέποτε ἔγνων ὑμᾶς· ἀποχωρεῖτε ἀπ' ἐμοῦ οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ὁμολογήσω | ὁμολογέω | G3670 | Verb, Fut Act Ind, 1st Sg ("I will profess/declare") |
| ἔγνων | γινώσκω | G1097 | Verb, Aor Act Ind, 1st Sg ("I knew") |
| ἀποχωρεῖτε | ἀποχωρέω | G672 | Verb, Pres Act Impv, 2nd Pl ("depart") |
| ἐργαζόμενοι | ἐργάζομαι | G2038 | Verb, Pres M/P Ptcp, Nom Pl M ("working/practicing") |
| ἀνομίαν | ἀνομία | G458 | Noun, Acc Sg F ("lawlessness") |
Notes: "Hoi ergazomenoi ten anomian" = "the ones working the lawlessness." The present participle (ergazomenoi) indicates ongoing, habitual practice of lawlessness. The definite article before anomian (ten anomian) points to a specific, recognized lawlessness -- not vague wickedness but violation of THE law. Jesus rejects them not for lack of religious activity (they prophesied, cast out devils, did works) but for practicing lawlessness.
Matthew 23:23¶
Greek: Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον καὶ τὸ ἄνηθον καὶ τὸ κύμινον, καὶ ἀφήκατε τὰ βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου, τὴν κρίσιν καὶ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ τὴν πίστιν· ταῦτα δὲ ἔδει ποιῆσαι κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφεῖναι.
| Word | Lemma | Strong's | Parsing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀποδεκατοῦτε | ἀποδεκατόω | G586 | Verb, Pres Act Ind, 2nd Pl ("you tithe") |
| ἀφήκατε | ἀφίημι | G863 | Verb, Aor Act Ind, 2nd Pl ("you have left/neglected") |
| βαρύτερα | βαρύς | G926 | Adj, Acc Pl N, Comparative ("weightier") |
| νόμου | νόμος | G3551 | Noun, Gen Sg M ("of the law") |
| κρίσιν | κρίσις | G2920 | Noun, Acc Sg F ("judgment/justice") |
| ἔλεος | ἔλεος | G1656 | Noun, Acc Sg N ("mercy") |
| πίστιν | πίστις | G4102 | Noun, Acc Sg F ("faith/faithfulness") |
| ἔδει | δεῖ | G1163 | Verb, Impf Act Ind, 3rd Sg ("it was necessary") |
| ποιῆσαι | ποιέω | G4160 | Verb, Aor Act Inf ("to do") |
| κἀκεῖνα | κἀκεῖνος | G2548 | Dem Pron, Acc Pl N ("and those things") |
| ἀφεῖναι | ἀφίημι | G863 | Verb, Aor Act Inf ("to leave/neglect") |
Notes: "Ta barutera tou nomou" = "the weightier things of the law." The comparative adjective barutera (heavier/weightier) implies the law has matters of differing weight -- not that some are dispensable, but that some are more fundamental. The final clause "tauta de edei poiesai kakeina me apheinai" = "these things [weightier matters] it was necessary to do, and those things [tithing] not to leave undone." The imperfect of dei (edei, "it was necessary") with the aorist infinitives creates an obligation statement: BOTH the weightier AND the lesser matters of the law must be done.