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1 Thessalonians 5:21 — Word Study

Depth

N1904πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

BSAAll thingspas [everything, every message] nowde do test;dokimazō [prove, evaluate, examine] To theho [that which is truly] goodkalos [beautiful, virtuous, morally excellent] do hold fast;katechō [keep, possess, retain]

Word
Listen & take away1 Thessalonians 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 21 is in this chapter.
Say the word Each Greek word carries its transliteration (katechō) — no per-word recordings of the Greek exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Thessalonians 5:21quick helps
In a sentencePaul instructs the Thessalonians to evaluate everything and to hold firmly to what is genuinely good.
Who is speakingThe Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Thessalonica.
Where we areThis is part of Paul's concluding exhortations in his first letter to the Thessalonians.
The hard wordδοκιμάζετε
Take awayTesting is essential for discerning what is good.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbδοκιμάζω The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the New Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the New Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — , the commonest word in the Greek New Testament, stands 19,867 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Final Exhortations in 1 Thessaloniansgenerated

20Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
22Abstain from every form of evil.
23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 emphasizes the importance of discernment within the Christian community. Paul encourages believers to rigorously evaluate everything they encounter, particularly teachings and prophecies, to ensure they align with the truth of the Gospel. This guidance is crucial for maintaining the integrity of faith and practice, especially in a time of diverse beliefs and teachings.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
2Matthew 7:15–20Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
3Mark 7:14–16Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand:
4Luke 12:57And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
5Acts 17:11Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

The Key Word δοκιμάζετε, dokimazōgenerated

The verb δοκιμάζω (i.e., *dokimazō*) means to test or prove, often in a context of evaluating worth or authenticity. It is a present active imperative, indicating an ongoing action that Paul commands the Thessalonians to undertake.

This word is used to convey the idea of examining something thoroughly to determine its genuineness, much like testing metals for purity. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts that encourage believers to discern what is true and good, as seen in passages like Romans 12:2.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." The KJV and ASV use similar phrasing, emphasizing the act of proving all things.

Where translations differ, they do so primarily in the rendering of πάντα as either "all things" (most versions) or "everything" (FBV), and δοκιμάζετε as "prove" (ASV, KJV) versus "examine" (NETB). The word καλὸν is consistently translated as "good" except for the DBY, which uses "right."


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb in the verse is δοκιμάζετε, do test, which governs the entire command to evaluate everything. This is followed by a second imperative verb, κατέχετε, hold fast, indicating a two-part instruction.

The sentence structure consists of two main clauses: the first instructs believers to test all things, and the second commands them to hold firmly to what is good. Each clause is straightforward, reflecting a clear directive from Paul.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The verb δοκιμάζετε (dokimazō), meaning 'do test', is used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word for 'examine' or 'try' (בָּחַן), which carries the connotation of scrutinizing or evaluating something carefully. This choice emphasizes the importance of discernment in the context of the verse.

The adjective καλὸν (kalos), meaning 'good', corresponds to the Hebrew word for 'pleasant' or 'agreeable' (טוֹב). This connection reinforces the idea of holding onto what is not only beneficial but also inherently positive and worthy.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to test everything we encounter and to hold on to what is truly good. This means that we should carefully evaluate teachings and messages to ensure they align with our faith.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to test all things?

To test all things means to evaluate and discern the truth and value of teachings, messages, and experiences against the standards of faith.

Why is it important to hold fast to what is good?

Holding fast to what is good is essential for spiritual health and integrity, ensuring that we remain aligned with God's truth and reject falsehood.

How can I practically test what I hear or learn?

You can test what you hear by comparing it with Scripture, seeking guidance from mature believers, and praying for discernment.

What are some examples of things we should hold fast to?

We should hold fast to teachings that reflect the character of Christ, promote love and righteousness, and align with the core truths of the Gospel.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to be more discerning about what I accept as true?
  2. How can I ensure that I am holding fast to what is genuinely good in my daily decisions?
  3. What practices can help me test teachings and messages I encounter?
  4. How can I encourage others to evaluate what they hear against the truth of Scripture?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early church writers reference this verse to emphasize the importance of discernment in faith. Their comments provide insight into how this instruction was understood in the early Christian community.

Clement of AlexandriaThe Stromata Book 1 c. 150–215
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe," and not yet acquainted with the word, according to which he has believed and works, and not able to give a reason in himself.
Early Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
TertullianThe Prescription Against Heretics c. 155–220
For the apostle does not mean that those persons should be deemed approved who exchange their creed for heresy; although they contrariously interpret his words to their own side, when he says in another passage, "Prove all things;
Early Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
TertullianOn the Veiling of Virgins c. 155–220
Let that, accordingly, be to you Scripture, and Nature, and Discipline, which you shall find to have been sanctioned by God; just as you are bidden to "examine all things, and diligently follow whatever is better."
Early Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Thessalonians 5:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Prove all things,.... That are said by the prophets, all the doctrines which they deliver; hear them, though they have not the gift of tongues, and all desirable advantages; do not reject them on

Read John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. B Delta G f g, Vulgate, insert, 'but.' 'Aleph (') A C omit it.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Prove all things; this duty relates to the former; as they were to attend upon prophesyings, so to exercise a discerning judgment about what was prophesied; for all things is not to be taken here universally, but for doctrines and opinions in religion which were delivered by the prophets. The same which the apostle John requires: Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, & c.; dokimazete and it is the same word there which in this text we read prove; alluding to gold or other metals, which are tried in the fire, or by a touchstone, as some think. And though there was a peculiar gift of discerning of spirits, , yet it is the duty of every Christian to try men’ s spirits and doctrines…

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Ver. 21. Prove all things] Take nothing that you hear upon trust (Νηφεκαιμεμνησοαπιστειν, Epicharm.), but bring all to the test, Isaiah 8:20. To the law, i.e. the Old Testament, and to the testimony, i.e. the New, which is by St John often called the testimony. Mercer observes that of the Hebrew word ozen for an ear, cometh Moznaiim for a pair of balances; to note that we must weigh what we hear; our two ears must be as balances for that purpose. Hold fast that which is good] Orthodox, current, agreeable to, and approvable by, the Scriptures, especially that which God hath made good and sweet to your own souls. Hold fast that thou hast, &c.…

Read John Trapp on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) Prove all things.—The right reading inserts a “but”:—“I bid you pay all reverence to the cheering utterances of your prophets (comp. Acts 15:32); but take care! put everything to the test.” That the warning was needed, or would be needed soon, is shown by 2 Thessalonians 2:2. It is couched in general terms (all things), but, of course, has special reference to all things purporting to be manifestations of the Spirit. And how were these revelations to be tested? If they were not in accordance (1) with the original tradition (2 Thessalonians 2:2), (2) with the supernatural inspirations of the other prophets who sat as judges (1 Corinthians 14:29), (3) with enlightened common sense (1…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 21. Prove all things] Whatever ye hear in these prophesyings or preachings, examine by the words of Christ, and by the doctrines which, from time to time, we have delivered unto you in our preaching and writings. Try the spirits-the different teachers, by the word of God. Hold fast that which is good.] Whatever in these prophesyings has a tendency to increase your faith, love, holiness, and usefulness, that receive and hold fast. There were prophets or teachers even at that time who professed to be of God, and yet were not.

Read AdamClarke on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good] Some of the best ancient authorities read, But prove all things. In any case, this exhortation, while capable of the widest application, arises out of the subject of the last. “Instead of accepting or rejecting wholesale what is addressed to you as prophecy, use your judgement; learn to discriminate; sift the wheat from the chaff.” So needful was it to distinguish between true and false revelations, that a special endowment was bestowed on some persons for this end—the “discernment of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10). And St Paul gives a criterion for the purpose in 1 Corinthians 12:3. Comp. 1 John 4:1-3, “Beloved, believe not every spirit…

Read Cambridge on 1 Thessalonians 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Prove all things - Subject everything submitted to you to be believed to the proper test.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Thessalonians 5 →

The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

RVARevised Version, American1894

prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Try all things, and keepe that which is good.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

but prove all things, hold fast the right;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

all things prove; that which is good hold fast;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

prove all things; hold fast [to] that which is good;

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Test all things. Hold on to what is good.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

make sure to check everything. Hold on to whatever is good;

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;

Word by word, the decisions they made

πάνταpas All things G3956 2 different renderings
all thingsASV BBE BSB DBY DRA GNV KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
everythingFBV
δοκιμάζετε·dokimazō do test; G1381 2 different renderings
proveASV DBY DRA KJV LSV NWB RVA YLT
examineNETB
καλὸνkalos good G2570 2 different renderings
goodASV BBE BSB DRA FBV GNV KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
rightDBY

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the Nestle 1904 treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseclausenoun phrase · objectτὸTheΠνεῦμαSpiritadverbialμὴnotverbσβέννυτεdo quenchclauseobjectπροφητείαςPropheciesadverbialμὴnotverbἐξουθενεῖτεdo despiseδὲhoweverclauseclauseobjectπάνταAll thingsverbδοκιμάζετεtestclausenoun phrase · objectτὸTo theκαλὸνgoodverbκατέχετεhold fastclauseprepositional phrase · adverbialἀπὸFromnoun phraseπαντὸςeverynoun phraseεἴδουςformπονηροῦof evilverbἀπέχεσθεabstain

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The earliest translations — Latin and Syriac

Every translation is an argument about meaning made by someone who had to commit to one. These two were made while the Greek was still a living language, and they are the oldest opinions we have about what this verse says.

Latin VulgateAD 382–405

Omnia autem probate : quod bonum est tenete.

Jerome revised the Old Latin against the Greek from AD 382; the Latin west read this text for a thousand years.

Syriac Peshittaby AD 400

ܟܠܡܕܡ ܒܩܘ ܘܕܫܦܝܪ ܐܚܘܕܘ

The Bible of the Syriac-speaking church, in the language nearest to the Aramaic Jesus spoke.

Shown verse by verse rather than word by word: aligning a Greek word to its Latin or Syriac counterpart automatically would be guesswork, and a wrong alignment is worse than none.


The Greek editions compared — what the manuscripts actually say

Eight printed editions of the Greek New Testament, side by side. Where they agree the wording is settled; where a word is missing from an edition it is marked, so you can see the difference rather than take it on trust.

Nestle-Aland 28th edition2012 · Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

The standard critical text of the New Testament.

Nestle-Aland 27th edition1993 · Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

The previous edition, still widely cited.

SBL Greek New Testament2010 · Michael Holmes

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

The Society of Biblical Literature edition, freely licensed.

Westcott–Hort1881 · Westcott and Hort

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

The edition that turned scholarship toward the earliest manuscripts.

Tregelles1857–1879 · Samuel Prideaux Tregelles

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

An independent critical text built from the oldest witnesses then known.

Tyndale House Greek NT2017 · Tyndale House, Cambridge

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

A recent critical edition following documentary evidence closely.

Byzantine majority text2018 · Robinson–Pierpont

πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

The reading of the majority of surviving manuscripts.

Textus Receptus1550/1894 lineage

πάντα δοκιμάζετε· τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε·

The printed tradition behind the King James Version.

Every witness on this verse they differ
Critical editions
Nestle-Aland 28th edition2012Nestle-Aland 27th edition1993SBL Greek New Testament2010Westcott–Hort1881Tregelles1857–1879Tyndale House Greek NT2017
Byzantine / Majority
Byzantine majority text2018
Received Text
Textus Receptus1550/1894

A witness that read differently would show its variant word here, marked.

Word by word, across the editions

WordEditions carrying itMissing from
δὲ nowNA28, NA27, Tyn, SBL, WH, Treg, ByzTR

The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Greek New Testament — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

1 Thessalonians 5:21πᾶςAll thingsAll thingsπᾶςδέnownowδέδοκιμάζωdo test;do test;δοκιμάζωTo theTo theκαλόςgoodgoodκαλόςκατέχωdo hold fasdo hold fast;κατέχωδόκιμοςAdj approvAdj approved, aδόκιμοςἀγαθόςAdj goodAdj goodἀγαθόςκατάPrep. downPrep. down fromκατάὑποτάσσωv. I placev. I place undeὑποτάσσωκατοικέωv. I dwellv. I dwell in, κατοικέωδιαφέρωv. I carryv. I carry throδιαφέρωπῦρn.n. fire,n.n. fire, triaπῦρποιμήνn.m. a shen.m. a shepherdποιμήνκαρπόςn.m. fruitn.m. fruit, resκαρπόςβέβαιοςAdj firm, Adj firm, steadβέβαιοςμέχριAdv as farAdv as far as, μέχρι
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 1 Thessalonians 5:21

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Greek lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. Imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, the full Liddell-Scott-Jones, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate LSJ, Robinson and Packard on the Greek, Webster and Cawdrey on the English the translators were using. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

All things now do test; To the good do hold fast;
πάνταpas All things G3956 Adjective · accusative · plural · neuter
1,242× in the NT scale is logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word, appears 19,867×
about as common in 1 Thessalonians as anywhere else in the New Testament
In plain English
Meaning
This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.
Amplified meaning
everything, every message
Tyndale gloss
all
Greek lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Greek word πᾶς (i.e., *pas*) means 'all' or 'every' and appears in various forms, including masculine, feminine, and neuter. It is used in the New Testament to denote totality, as in 'all things' or 'every kind,' and can function as an adjective or pronoun. Notably, it can also imply 'the whole' when used with definite articles, as seen in verses like Matthew 28:18.

Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the NT

πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, gen., παντός, πάσης, παντός,

[in LXX chiefly for כֹּל;]

all, every.

As adj.,

c. subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mt 3:10 4:23, Mk 9:49, Lk 4:37, Jo 2:10, Ac 27:20, Ro 7:8, Re 18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Ac 22:15, Ro 5:12, He 1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mt 28:18,

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Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament from a scan

πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, en. παντός, πάσης, παντός, [dat. plur. Lchm. πᾶσι ten times, -σιν seventy-two times; Tdf. -σι five times (see Proleg. p. 98 sq.), -ow seventy-seven times; Treg. -ow eighty-two times; WH -ox fourteen times, -ow sixty-eight times; see N, v (ἐφελκυστικόν)], Hebr. 75, [fr. Hom. down], all, every; it is used I. adjectively, and 1. with anarthrous nouns; a. any, every one (86. of the class denoted by the noun annexed to mas); with the Singular: as πᾶν δένδρον, Mt. iii. 10; πᾶσα θυσία, Mk. ix. 49 [T WH Tr mrg. om. Tr txt. br. the cl.]; add, Mt. v.11; xv. 13; Lk. iv. 37; Jn.ii. 10; xv.2; Acts ii.43; v.42; Ro. xiv. 11; 1 Co. iv. 17; Rev. xviii. 17, and very often; πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἀνθρώπου, Ro. ii. 9 (πᾶσα ἀνθρ. ψυχή, Plat. Phaedr. p- 249e.); πᾶσα συνείδησις ἀνθρώπων, 2 Co. iv. 2; mas λεγόμενος θεός, 2 Th. ii. 4; πᾶς ἅγιος ἐν Χριστῷ, Phil. iv. 21sqq. with the Plural, all or any that are…

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Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament from a scan

παῖς. In Gnomon 41 (¢. A.D. 150) it is laid down—éav Αἰγύπτιος ἐκ κοπρίας [ἀν]έληται παῖδα καὶ τοῦτον υἱοποιήσηται, μετὰ θάνατον τεταρτολο[ γεῖτ]αι, ““1Γ an Egyptian shall take up a child from the dungheap, and adopt him as a son, he shall be mulcted after his death to the extent of one fourth of his property.” For παῖς applied to a female child see P Strass I. 41° (A.D. 250) ἐκδικῆσαι τὰ τῆς παιδός, and P Oxy 1 5215 (A.D. 325) εΠδαμὲν τὴν παῖδα ἔχουσαν κατὰ τῶν εἰσχίων ἀμυχὰς μετὰ πελιωμάτων (see 76. II. p. 319), ““νγῈ saw that the girl had wounds on her hips with livid spots”: cf. Lk 8° (for voc. of address see Pro/eg. pp. 70, 235). The word is commonly applied to slaves, as in Lk 77 a/., e.g. P Lille 27 (iii/B.c.), where 11 male slaves are enumerated under the heading παῖδες, then 2 female slaves, and then again 3 male slaves: cf. P Strass I. 405 (a. p. 569) Κολλοῦθος Βίκτορος…

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Liddell-Scott-Jones, full edition

πᾶς (pas) — all.

πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν,

__AAeolic dialect παῖς, παῖσα [Refs 7th c.BC+] feminine πάνσα [Refs 8th c.BC+], Epic dialect and Delph. πάντεσσι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; also Locrian dialect πάντεσιν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πάντοις [Refs 2nd c.BC+] as accusative masculine in [LXX+7th c.BC+], etc. (but in compounds sometimes long in Attic dialect, [Refs].]—Coll. pronoun, when used of a number, all; when of one only, the whole; of the several persons in a number, every.

__A.I in plural, all, πάντες τε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; πάντες ὅσοι.. [Refs 8th c.BC+]; πάντας ᾧ ἂνπεριτυγχάνῃ, for ὅσοις ἄν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: also with the Article, see.below [Refs 5th c.BC+]

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Strong's Greek Dictionary

πᾶς

pas

including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all,

any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one),

X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X

thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

Dodson Greek-English Lexicon

πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν

Adj

all, the whole, every kind of

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary

πᾶς pas 1x

all; in the sg. the whole, entire, usually when the substantive has the article, Mt. 6:29; 8:32; Acts 19:26; every, only with an anarthrous subst., Mt. 3:10; 4:4; pl. all, Mt. 1:17, et al. freq.; πάντα, in all respects, Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 9:25; 10:33; 11:2; by a Hebraism, a negative with πᾶς is sometimes equivalent to οὐδείς or μηδείς, Mt. 24:22; Lk. 1:37; Acts 10:14; Read the full entry →

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj-APN — Adjective · accusative · plural · neuter
accusative — the one it is done to — the object.
Agrees with anything else marked plural neuter.
Robinson's Morphological Analysis Codes

A-APN Part of Speech: Adjective Case: Accusative Number: Plural Gender: Neuter

Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Thompson Chain Reference topics

(1) Commanded

Mt 7:12; 28:20; 1Co 13:7; 16:14; Eph 4:15; 5:20; Php 2:14

Col 3:14; 1Th 5:21; 2Ti 4:5; Tit 2:7

(2) General References to

Ps 8:6; Jer 17:9; Mt 19:26; 21:22; Mr 9:23; Ro 8:28,32

Into Englishhow translators actually render it
62%all
all62% · 789×all things12% · 156×every12% · 150×everyone6% · 76×everything3% · 34×other renderings3% · 40×other renderings2% · 19×

1,264 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 28 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.

What it does in the sentencefrom the Nestle 1904 treebank
subject40%adverbial30%object21%predicate5%indirect object3%

Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 1,242 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.

The phrases it lives inwhat stands either side of it, across the New Testament
← what comes before
καίand, even, also, nam
αὐτόςσύλόγοςa word, speech,
ἐν
καίand, even, also,ἀλλάbut, exceptἐγώ
Article the
αὐτόςὅςArticle the
αὐτός
λέγωI say, speakδείκνυμιI point out, shoπροσφέρωI bring to, offe
ἐπί
καίand, even, also,ἐγώεἰμίI am, exist
πᾶςAll things1242×
what comes after →
Article the
ἔθνοςa race, people, λαόςa people, the crπιστεύωI believe, have
καίand, even, also, nam
Article theχορτάζωI feed, satisfyδιά
σύ
εἰμίI am, existἐνκαίand, even, also,
γάρfor
Article theσύοὗτος
δέbut, on the other ha
Article theοὗτοςὅς

branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path

Concordanceπᾶς · 1,242× in the New Testament
Acts Luke Matthew 1 Corinthians Romans Mark John Revelation Hebrews 2 Corinthians Ephesians Colossians

27 inflected forms — one of the commonest words in the New Testament. Full distribution →

Across the New Testament27 of 27 books
MtMkLkJnAcRo1Co2CoGaEphPhpCol1Th2Th1Ti2TiTitPhmHebJas1Pe2Pe1Jn2Jn3JnJudRev
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Outside the New Testamentthe same word in the Greek of its own century
Philo of Alexandria Josephus The Shepherd of Hermas Clement of Rome Ignatius of Antioch
Philo of AlexandriaOn the Creation of the World 10c. AD 40

καὶ γὰρ πατὴρ ἐκγόνων καὶ δημιουργὸς τῶν δημιουργηθέντων στοχάζεται τῆς διαμονῆς καὶ ὅσα μὲν ἐπιζήμια καὶ βλαβερὰ μηχανῇ πάσῃ διωθεῖται, τὰ δὲ ὅσα ὠφέλιμα καὶ λυσιτελῆ κατὰ πάντα τρόπον ἐκπορίζειν ἐπιποθεῖ·

JosephusAntiquities of the Jews 1.argc. AD 75–95

ὡς οἱ Νώχου ἔγγονοι πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐπῴκησαν.

The Epistle of BarnabasThe Epistle of Barnabas 2.4c. AD 100

πεφανέρωκεν γὰρ ἡμῖν διὰ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, ὅτι οὕτε θυσιῶν οὔτε ὁλοκαυτωμάτων οὔτε προσφορῶν χρῄζει, λέγων ὅτε μέν:

In the everyday Greek (the secular world, not the church)letters, leases, receipts — nobody writing one is trying to sound biblical
2nd c. AD 3rd c. AD 6th c. AD 4th c. AD 1st c. AD
P.Stras. 2 89Pathyris100 BC

γῆ Σενπελαίας, βορρᾶ γῆ Πανᾶτος ἀπηλιώτου ποταμός, λιβὸς Ἀραμείους, ἢ οἳ ἂν ὦσι γείτονες πάντων πάντοθεν. ἐπρίατο Πετεαρσεμθεὺς Πανοβχούνιος ὡς ἐτῶν μ χαλκοῦ τάλαντα δύο . προπωλητὴς καὶ βεβαιωτὴς

P.Grenf. 2 35Pathyris99 BC

ἐτῶν λ χαλκοῦ δραχμῶν τρισχιλίων . προπωληταὶ καὶ βεβαιωταὶ τῶν κατὰ τὴν ὠνὴν ταύτην πάντων Νεχούτης καὶ ὁ σὺν αὐτῷ οἱ ἀποδόμενοι, ὃν ἐδέξατο Πακοῖβις ὁ πριάμενος. Ἑρμίας ὁ

BGU 3 1000Pathyris99 BC

χαλκοῦ δραχμὰς δισχιλίας καὶ διακοσίας . προπωλητὴς καὶ βεβαιωτὴς τῶν κατὰ τὴν ὠνὴν ταύτην πάντων Πανοβχοῦνις ὁ ἀποδόμενος, ὃν ἐδέξατο Εὔνους ὁ πριάμενος. Ἑρμίας ὁ παρὰ Πανίσκου κεχρημάτικα.

All things now do test; To the good do hold fast;
δὲde now G1161 Conjunction
2,787× in the NT scale is logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word, appears 19,867×
rarer in 1 Thessalonians than elsewhere in the New Testament
In plain English
Meaning
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Tyndale gloss
then
Greek lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

δέ (de) is a post-positive particle in Greek, primarily used as a conjunction to connect clauses. It can express contrast (but, on the other hand) or continuation (and, also), and is often used to transition between ideas or to add emphasis. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in various contexts, such as contrasting statements or resuming interrupted discourse, with notable examples in Matthew and 2 Corinthians.

Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the NT

δέ (before vowels δ’; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, v. WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96),

post-positive conjunctive particle;

copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mt 1:2ff., II Co 6:15, 16, II Pe 1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Ro 3:21, 22, 9:30, I Co 2:6, Ga 2:2, Phl 2:8; in transition to something new, Mt 1:18 2:19, Lk 13:1, Jo 7:14, Ac 6:1, Read the full entry →

Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament from a scan

δέ (related to δή, as μέν to μήν, ef. Klotz ad Devar. ii. 2 p. 355), a particle adversative, distinctive, disjunctive, but, moreover, (W.§ 53, 7 and 10, 2); it is much more freq. in the historical parts of the N. T. than in the other books, very rare in the Epp. of John and the Apocalypse. {On its general neglect of elision (when the next word begins with a vowel) cf. Tdf. Proleg. p. 96; WH. App. Ῥ 146; W.§5,1a.; B. p.10sq.] It is used ἘΠ ΟἹ δὲ univ. by way of opposition and distinction; it is added to statements opp. to a preceding statement: ἐὰν yap ἀφῆτε... ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε, Mt. vi. 14 sq.; ἐὰν de ὁ ὀφθαλμὸς κτλ. Mt. vi. 23; ἐλεύσονται δὲ ἡμέραι, Mk. ii. 20; it opposes persons to persons or things previously mentioned or thought of, —either with strong emphasis: ἐγὼ δέ, Mt. v. 22, 28, 32, 34, 39,44; ἡμεῖς de, 1 Co. i. 23; 2 Co. x. 13; σὺ δέ, Mt. vi. 6; ὑμεῖς δέ, Mk. viii. 29; of δὲ…

Read the full entry →
Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament from a scan

δεῖ. For the conjunctive, as in Mt 26%, cf. P Fay 109° (early i/A.D.) ἐάν σε δῇ (for δέῃ) τὸ εἱμάτιόν σου θεῖναι ἐνέχυρον. “even if you have to pawn your cloak” (Edd.). In P Tebt I. 585° (B.c. 111) we have ἐάν followed by the indicative— ἐὰν δεῖ σε συνπεσεῖν τῶι ᾿Ανικήτωι, σύνπεσαι, ‘if you must meet Anicetus, meet him” (Edd.): cf. Mayser G7. p. 325. Other examples of the verb are l’ Par 461® (B.C. 153) διὸ Kal ἡγούμενος δεῖν ἐπ᾿ ἄλλου μὲν μηθενὸς αὐτῶι διακριθῆναι» P Lille I. 267 (iii.B.c.) περὶ (corr. from πεερὶ) δὲ τούτου τοῦ μέρους δεήσει ἐπισχεῖν, P Tebt 11. 3414 (A.p. 140-1) δεήσι ἐπισταλῆναι εἰς δάνε[ι]α σπέρματα κατασπίο]ρᾶς KTA., “ΕἼ will be necessary to send on account of loans of seedcorn for the sowing,” etc., AécheZ 1001" © (Theran Doric —c. B.C. 200) no one may bring forward a proposal ὡς δεείσῃ διαλῦσαι τὸ κοινὸν εἰ τὰς θυσίας, P Flor II. 133" (A.D. 257) ἔδι μὲν ὑμᾶς μηδὲ…

Read the full entry →
Liddell-Scott-Jones, full edition

δέ (de) — then.

δέ,

but: adversative and copulative Particle,

I. answering to μέν (which see), τὴν νῦν μὲν Βοιωτίαν, πρότερον δὲ Καδμηίδα γῆν καλουμένην [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II. without preceding μέν,

II.1. adversative, expressing distinct opposition, αἰεί τοι τὰ κάκ᾽ ἐστὶ φίλα.. μαντεύεσθαι, ἐσθλὸν δ᾽ οὔτε τί πω εἶπας[Refs 5th c.BC+]; so in Prose, οὐκ ἐπὶ κακῷ, ἐλευθερώσει δέ.. [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.2. copulative,

II.2. a in explanatory clauses, ξυνέβησαν.. τὰ μακρὰ τείχη ἑλεῖν (ἦν δὲ σταδίων μάλιστα ὀκτώ) [Refs 8th c.BC+]: when a substantive is followed by words in apposition, Ἀρισταγόρῃ τῷ Μιλησίῳ, δούλῳ δὲ ἡμετέρῳ [Refs 5th c.BC+]; so in answers, διπλᾶ λέγειν. —Answ. διπλᾶδ᾽ ὁρᾶν…

Read the full entry →
Strong's Greek Dictionary

δέ

de

a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and,

etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

Dodson Greek-English Lexicon

δέ

Cj.

but, on the other hand, and

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary

δέ de 2x

a conjunctive particle, marking the superaddition of a clause, whether in opposition or in continuation, to what has preceded, and it may be variously rendered but, on the other hand, and, also, now, etc.; καὶ δέ, when there is a special superaddition in continuation, too, yea, etc. It sometimes is found at the commencement of the apodosis of a sentence, Acts 11:17. It serves also to mark the resumption of an interrupted discourse, 2 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 2:6

Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones

δέ but: conjunctive Particle, with adversative force: it commonly answers to μέν, and may often be rendered by while, whereas, on the other hand, v. μέν:— but μέν is often omitted, δέ being used merely to pass on from one thing to another; ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς θάμβησεν, θάμβησαν δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι Il.; etc.; κινεῖ κραδίην κινεῖ δὲ χόλον Eur.

δέ is often redundant,

to introduce the apodosis, where it may be rendered by then, yet, εἰ δέ κε μὴ δώωσιν, ἐγὼ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕλωμαι if they will not give it, then I will take it, Il.; so at in Lat., si tu oblitus es, at Dii meminerint Catull.

to resume after interruption caused by a parenthesis, where it may be rendered by I say, now, so then, Hdt.

POSITION of δέ: properly second, being often put between the Art. and Subst., the prep. and case.

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Conjunction
conjunction — it joins clauses, and never changes form.
Robinson's Morphological Analysis Codes

CONJ CONJunction or conjunctive particle

Into Englishhow translators actually render it
33%now
now33% · 974×however27% · 780×then21% · 620×and12% · 360×but5% · 154×other renderings2% · 49×

2,937 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 15 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.

What it does in the sentencefrom the Nestle 1904 treebank

Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 2,787 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.

The phrases it lives inwhat stands either side of it, across the New Testament
← what comes before
Article the
αὐτόςεἰμίI am, existσύ
λέγωI say, speak
αὐτόςκύριοςlord, Lord, mastπεντακισχίλιοιfive thousand
εἰCond
παλαιόςold, ancient, woσύεἰμίI am, exist
εἰμίI am, exist
περιπατέωI walk, conduct ἀναπίπτωI lie down, reclμνημεῖονa tomb, sepulche
οὗτος
δίδωμιI offer, giveθεόςGod, a godπίστιςfaith, belief, t
δέnow2787×
what comes after →
Article the
ἸησοῦςJesusθεόςGod, a godκύριοςlord, Lord, mast
αὐτός
Article theκαίand, even, also,ἐπί
λέγωI say, speak
αὐτόςArticle theσύ
καίand, even, also, nam
Article theοὗτοςἸωάννηςJohn
τὶς
Article theαὐτόςὄνομαname, character,

branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path

Concordanceδέ · 2,787× in the New Testament
Acts Luke Matthew 1 Corinthians John Mark Romans 2 Corinthians Hebrews Galatians James 1 Timothy

2 inflected forms — one of the commonest words in the New Testament. Full distribution →

Across the New Testament26 of 27 books
MtMkLkJnAcRo1Co2CoGaEphPhpCol1Th2Th1Ti2TiTitPhmHebJas1Pe2Pe1Jn2Jn3JnJudRev
All things now do test; To the good do hold fast;
δοκιμάζετε·dokimazō do test; G1381 Verb · present · active · imperative · second person · plural
22× in the NT scale is logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word, appears 19,867×
commoner in 1 Thessalonians than anywhere else in the New Testament
In plain English
Meaning
To test or try something, like refining metal, to see if it's genuine. This is seen in 1 Peter 1:7 where faith is tested like gold. It's about proving something is true.
Amplified meaning
prove, evaluate, examine
Tyndale gloss
to test
Greek lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

δοκιμάζω (dokimazo) means to test or prove, particularly in the context of metals, but also applies to people and various situations. It conveys the idea of examining something to determine its genuineness or worthiness, often leading to approval after a successful trial. In the New Testament, it appears in verses like 1 Peter 1:7 and Romans 12:2, where it emphasizes discerning and approving what is good.

Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament — δοκιμάζω, πειράζω from a scan

THESE words occur not seldom together, as at 2 Cor. xiii. 5; Ps. xciv. 10 (at Heb. iii. 9 the better reading is ἐν δοκιμασίᾳ) ; but notwithstanding that they are both in our English Version rendered ‘ prove’ (Luke xiv. 19; John vi. 6), both ‘try’ (1 Cor. iii. 18; Rev. ii. 2), both ‘examine’ (1 Cor. xi. 28 ; 2 Cor. xiii. 5), they are not perfectly synonymous. In δοκιpatew, which has four other renderings in our Version,— namely, ‘discern’ (Luke xii. 56); ‘like’ (Rom. i. 28); ‘approve’ (Rom. ii. 18); ‘allow’ (Rom. xiv. 22),—lies ever the notion of proving a thing whether it be worthy to be received or not, being, as it is, nearly connected with δέχεσθαι. In classical Greek it is the technical word for putting money to the δοκιμή or proof, by aid of the δοκίμιον or test (Plato, Timeus, 65 c; Plutarch, Def. Orac. 21) ; that which endures this proof being δόκιμος, that which fails ἀδόκιμος…

Read the full entry →
Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the NT

δοκιμάζω

(< δόκιμος),

[in LXX chiefly for בּחן ;]

primarily of metals (Pr 8:10 17:3, Si 2:5, Wi 3:6), to test, try, prove (in the hope and expectation that the test will prove successful, v. reff. s. Syn.): χρυσίον, I Pe 1:7; other things, Lk 12:56 14:19, II Co 8:8, Ga 6:4, I Th 2:4 5:21; τὰ διαφέροντα, Ro 2:18, Phl 1:10 (R, mg., but v. infr.); πνεύματα, I Jo 4:1; of men, I Ti 3:10 (pass.); ἑαυτόν, I Co 11:28,

Read the full entry →
Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament from a scan

δοκιμάζω ; [fut. δοκιμάσω]; 1 aor. ἐδοκίμασα; Pass., [pres. δοκιμάζομαι); pf. δεδοκίμασμαι ; (δόκιμος); Sept. chiefly for }D3; as in Grk. writ. fr. [Hdt., Thue.], Xen. and Plat. on, to try; 1. to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing be genuine or not), as metals: χρυσίον διὰ πυρός (Isocr. p. 240 d. [i. 6. Panathen. § 14]; ad Demon. p. 7 b. [here Bekk. βασανίζομεν]; Sept., Prov. viii. 10; Sir. ii.5; Sap. iii. 6; ἄργυρον, Prov. xvii. 8, [ef. Zech. xiii. 9]), 1 Pet. i. 7; other things: Lk. xii. 56; xiv. 19; 2 Co. viii. 8; Gal. vi. 4; 1 Th. ii. 4; v. 21; τὰ διαφέροντα, Ro. ii. 18; Phil. i. 10, [al. refer these pass. to 2; see διαφέρω, 2 b.]; men, 1 Tim. iii. 10 (in the pass.) ; ἑαυτόν, 1 Co. xi. 28; 2 Co. xiii. 5, (cf. ἐξετάζειν ἑαυτόν, Xen. mem. 2, 5, 1 and 4); θεόν, Heb. iii. 9 (RG, fr. Ps. xeiv. (xey.) 9; on the sense of the phrase see πειράζω, 2 ἃ. 8.) ; τὰ πνεύματα…

Read the full entry →
Liddell-Scott-Jones, full edition

δοκιμάζω (dokimazō) — to test.

δοκῐμάζω,

(δόκιμος) assay, test, πορφύραν καὶ χρυσόν [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—middle, prove for oneself, choose, χώραν [Refs 5th c.BC+]:— passive, ἐπειδὰν τὸ ἔργον.. δοκιμασθῇ [Refs]

2. of persons, δ. αὐτούς put them to the test, make trial of them, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; also of Apis-bulls, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II. approve, sanction, μετὰ δεδοκιμασμένου [λόγου] μὴ ξυνέπεσθαι [Refs 5th c.BC+]infinitive, ἐκπονεῖν ἐδοκίμαζε he approved of their working, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II.2. as a political term,

II.2. a approve after scrutiny as fit for an office, [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, to be approved as fit, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; μου δοκιμαζομένου when I was undergoing a scrutiny, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; δεδοκιμασμένος [ἰατρός] [Refs 2nd c.AD+]…

Read the full entry →
Strong's Greek Dictionary

δοκιμάζω

dokimazo

from 1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to

approve:--allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try.

see GREEK for 1384

Dodson Greek-English Lexicon

δοκιμάζω

v.

I put to the test, prove, examine

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary

δοκιμάζω dokimazō 22x

to test, assay metals, 1 Pet. 1:7; to prove, try, examine, scrutinize, Lk. 14:19; Rom. 12:2; to put to the proof, tempt, Heb. 3:9; to approve after trial, judge worthy, choose, Rom. 14:22; 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 8:22; to decide upon after examination, judge of, distinguish, discern, Lk. 12:56; Rom. 2:18; Phil. 1:10

Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones

δοκιμάζω δόκιμος to assay or test metals, to see if they be pure, Isocr., etc.

of persons, to put to the test, make trial of, scrutinise, Hdt., Thuc.: —then, to approve, id. Thuc., Plat., etc.; c. inf., ἐκπονεῖν ἐδοκίμαζε he approved of their working, Xen.

at Athens, to approve as fit for an office, and in Pass. to be approved as fit, Plat., etc.; c. inf., ἱππεύειν δεδοκιμασμένος Xen.

to examine and admit boys to the class of ἔφηβοι or ἔφηβοι to the rights of manhood; and in Pass. to be so admitted, Ar., etc.; ἕως ἀνὴρ εἶναι δοκιμασθείην Dem.

c. inf. to think fit to do, or with negat. to refuse to do, NTest.

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Verb-PAM-2P — Verb · present · active · imperative · second person · plural
present active imperative — an action in progress.
Robinson's Morphological Analysis Codes

V-PAM-2P Part of Speech: Verb Tense: Present Voice: Active Mood: iMperative Person: second Number: Plural

Into Englishhow translators actually render it
14%do test
do test14% · 3×approve9% · 2×prove9% · 2×they did see fit5% · 1×he approves5% · 1×will prove5% · 1×should examine5% · 1×you shall approve5% · 1×other renderings45% · 10×

22 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 18 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.

What it does in the sentencefrom the Nestle 1904 treebank
verb100%

Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 22 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.

The phrases it lives inwhat stands either side of it, across the New Testament
← what comes before
Article the
εἰςθεόςGod, a god
δέbut, on the other ha
πᾶςall, the whole, οὗτοςπῦρfire, trials
οὐNeg
πῶςκαθώςjust as, as
ὅς
ἐνἐγώ
ἑαυτοῦ
πίστιςfaith, belief, tἔργονwork, labor, act
δοκιμάζωdo test;22×
what comes after →
Article the
καιρόςfitting season, θεόςGod, a godδιαφέρωI carry through,
σύ
τίςIrgArticle the
αὐτός
ἐρωτάωI ask, question,
δέbut, on the other ha
ἄνθρωποςa man, one of th
διά
ἐπιστολήa letter, dispat

branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path

Concordanceδοκιμάζω · 22× in the New Testament
Romans 1 Corinthians 1 Thessalonians 2 Corinthians Luke 1 John 1 Peter 1 Timothy Ephesians Galatians Philippians
Across the New Testament11 of 27 books
MtMkLkJnAcRo1Co2CoGaEphPhpCol1Th2Th1Ti2TiTitPhmHebJas1Pe2Pe1Jn2Jn3JnJudRev
The Hebrew behind itwhat the Septuagint translators were rendering

Counted over the 14 Old Testament verses where this Greek word stands: which Hebrew word keeps standing there too. A correspondence of verses rather than a word-by-word alignment, so read the percentage as strength of evidence, not as a claim about any single verse.

Outside the New Testamentthe same word in the Greek of its own century
Josephus Philo of Alexandria
Philo of AlexandriaAllegorical Interpretation of Genesis 2.7c. AD 40

πῶς δὲ δοκιμάζει τοὺς χυλούς, εἰ μὴ διὰ βοηθοῦ τῆς γεύσεως;

JosephusAntiquities of the Jews 1.15c. AD 75–95

ἤδη τοίνυν τοὺς ἐντευξομένους τοῖς βιβλίοις παρακαλῶ τὴν γνώμην θεῷ προσανέχειν καὶ δοκιμάζειν τὸν ἡμέτερον νομοθέτην, εἰ τήν τε φύσιν ἀξίως αὐτοῦ κατενόησε καὶ τῇ δυνάμει πρεπούσας ἀεὶ τὰς πράξεις ἀνατέθεικε πάσης καθαρὸν τὸν περὶ αὐτοῦ φυλάξας…

In the everyday Greek (the secular world, not the church)letters, leases, receipts — nobody writing one is trying to sound biblical
3rd c. AD 3rd c. BC 2nd c. AD undated 4th c. AD

χαίρειν. λέγοντός σου περὶ τοῦ τραπεζίτου ὅτι ὀφείλει βεβληχέναι τὸν χαλκὸν, σαπροὺς στατῆρας ὀφείλομεν δοκιμάσαι. τὸν χαλκὸν ἐγὼ ἠμέλασα, θαυμάζων εἰ ἄνθρωπος πιστευόμενος τοῦτο ποιεῖ. εὗρον οὖν η σαπροὺς

Πτολεμαίδι ε … … … ριοσ … ς … … Ἀπολλώνιος Φιλίππου· ἡ βουλὴ δοκιμάζειν εἴωθεν τοὺς ὑπηρετοῦντας … ι γραμμα … … ας νεωκόρους τοῦ ἄλσους τοὺς ὁμοίους·

C.Lat.Text.Pap. 3 no. III.32Antiochia (Syria Coele)AD 245

τοῦ διασημοτάτου ἐπάρχου Μεσοποταμίας διέποντος τὴν ὑπατείαν· ὁ Ἀρίστων ὁ κράτιστος τὴν ἀξίωσίν σου δοκιμάσει. Legi σθ

All things now do test; To the good do hold fast;
τὸho To the G3588 Article · accusative · singular · neuter
19,783× in the NT scale is logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word, appears 19,867×
about as common in 1 Thessalonians as anywhere else in the New Testament
In plain English
Meaning
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Amplified meaning
that which is truly
Tyndale gloss
the/this/who
Greek lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The definite article — the commonest word in the Greek New Testament at 19,867 occurrences. Greek uses it more freely than English does and can drop it deliberately, so its presence and its absence both carry weight for a translator; but no single occurrence carries a message of its own. Here it simply gathers “the things” into one definite bundle.

Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the NT

ὁ, ἡ, τό,

the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article.

As demonstr. pron.

As freq. in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Ac 17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus).

Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: I Co 7:7, Ga 4:22; pl., Ac 14:4, 17:32, Phl 1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mt 16:14, Jo 7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁ δέ, He 7:21, 23.

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Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament from a scan

ὁ 435 ὁ tives of quantity, ὅλος, πᾶς, πολύς, see each in its own place. d. What has been said concerning adjectives holds true also of all other limitations added to substantives, as ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Ro. ix. 11; ἡ παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη, Ro. xi. 27; 6 λόγος 6 τοῦ σταυροῦ, 1 Co. i. 18; ἡ εἰς Χριστὸν πίστις, Col. ii. 5; on the other hand, ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν ἡ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, 1 Th. i. 8; τῆς διακονίας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους, 2 Co. viii. 4; see many other exx. of each usage in W. 131 (124) sqq.; [B. 91 (80) sqq.]. e. The noun has the article before it when a demonstrative pronoun (υὗτος, ἐκεῖνος) belonging to it either precedes or follows [W. § 18, 4; B. § 127, 29-31]; as, ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος, Jn. ix. 24 [οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρ. 1, Tr mrg. WH); Acts vi. 13; xxii. 26; ὁ λαὸς οὗτος, Mt. xv. 8; 6 vids σου οὗτος, Lk. xv. 30; plur. Lk. xxiv. 17, and numberless other exx.; οὗτος 6 ἄνθρωπος, Lk. xiv. 30; οὗτος ὁ…

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Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament from a scan

ὃ, ἡ τό. (1) Apart from connexion with μέν or δέ (see below) the demonstrative use of the art. in the NT is confined to a poetical quotation Ac 1778, but it is not uncommon in the papyri, e.g. P Par 45® (B.C. 153) (= Witkowski®, p. 85) τὰ (for ἃ) πράσεις (Δ πράσσεις), P Oxy VIII. 1160! (iii/iv A.D.) Ta (for ἃ) σεσύλληχα (for συνείληχα) δὲ κέρμα {ταν τηρῶ αὐτὰ εἰς τὴν δίκην, “1 am keeping for the trial the money that I have collected” (Ed.). For the distributive Opéev.. - 6 8€, as in 1 Cor7’, cf. P Lond 535 (B.c. 161) (=I. p. 19, U.P.Z. i. p. 239) kal τὰ μὲν ἡμῶν ἐληφότων εἰς τὴν γινομένην ἡμῖν συντάξειν, τὰ δ᾽ ἔτι διὰ τὴν τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων {(.. ... > παρελκομένων. (2) The use of the art. as a relative, of which there is no trace in the NT, may again be illustrated by the following papyrus citations from ¢c. A.D. 346—P Lond 414® (= II. Ῥ. 292) γεινῴσκιν oe θέλω περὶ τοῦ βρεουίου…

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Liddell-Scott-Jones, full edition

ὁ (ho) — the/this/who.

ὁ,

ἡ, τό, is, when thus written,

__A demonstrative Pronoun.

__B in Attic dialect, definite or prepositive Article.

__C in Epic dialect, the so-called postpositive Article, = relative Pronoun, ὅς, ἥ, ὅ.—The nominative masculine and feminine singular and plural, ὁ, ἡ, οἱ, αἱ, have no accent in codices and most printed books, except when used as the relative; but ὁ, ἡ, οἱ, αἱ differ only in writing from ὃ, ἣ, οἳ, α; the nominative forms of the article are said by Hdn.Gr.1.474 to be oxytone, and by [Refs 2nd c.AD+] in Aeolic dialect accusative to [Refs 8th c.BC+] genitive and dative dual τοῖιν [Refs 8th c.BC+]— In Doric dialect and all other dialects except Attic dialect and Ionic dialect the feminine forms preserve the old ᾱ instead of changing it to η, hence Doric dialect etc. ἁ, τάν, τᾶ; the genitive plural τάων contracts in many dialects to τᾶ; the genitive…

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Strong's Greek Dictionary

ὁ ἡ τό

ho

he hay, and the neuter

to to

in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be

supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one,

he, she, it, etc.

Dodson Greek-English Lexicon

ὁ, ἡ, τό

Article

the

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary

ὁ ho 19x

the prepositive article, answering, to a considerable extent, to the English definite article; but, for the principle and facts of its usage, consult a grammar; ὁ μὲν ... ὁ δέ, the one ... the other, Phil. 1:16, 17; Heb. 7:5, 6, 20, 21, 23, 24; pl. some ... others, Mt. 13:23; 22:5, 6; ὁ δέ, but he, Mt. 4:4; 12:48; οἱ δέ, but others, Mt. 28:17; used, in a poetic quotation, for a personal pronoun, Acts 17:28

Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones

ὁ the, that

ὁ, ἡ, τό, is

demonstr. Pronoun.

the definite Article.

in epic, the relative Pronoun, when it is written with the accent ὅ, ἥ, τό ῀ ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. Besides the common forms, note epic gen. sg. τοῖο for τοῦ; pl. nom. τοί, ταί; gen. fem. τάων [α^], dat. τοῖσι, τῇς and τῇσι; dual gen, and dat. τοῖιν:— in Trag. we find τοὶ μέν . . , τοὶ δέ . . , for οἱ μέν . . , οἱ δέ . . ; dat. pl. also τοῖσι, ταῖσι: the dual has commonly but one gender, τώ for τά, τοῖν for ταῖν.

DEMONSTR. PRONOUN:

joined with a Subst., not as the Art., but like Lat. ille, ὁ Τυδείδης Tydeus's famous son, Il.; Νέστωρ ὁ γέρων Nestor— that aged man, id. Il.; τιμῆς τῆς Πριάμου for honour, namely that of Priam, id. Il.

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art-ASN — Article · accusative · singular · neuter
accusative — the one it is done to — the object.
Agrees with anything else marked singular neuter.
Robinson's Morphological Analysis Codes

T-ASN Part of Speech: definite arTicle Case: Accusative Number: Singular Gender: Neuter

Into Englishhow translators actually render it
64%the
the64% · 13160×<the>28% · 5846×those3% · 597×other renderings4% · 788×other renderings1% · 294×

20,685 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 83 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.

What it does in the sentencefrom the Nestle 1904 treebank
subject34%adverbial32%object24%predicate5%indirect object4%

Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 19,783 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.

The phrases it lives inwhat stands either side of it, across the New Testament
← what comes before
καίand, even, also, nam
αὐτόςεἰμίI am, existἐγώ
ἐν
καίand, even, also,αὐτόςArticle the
εἰς
αὐτόςεἰσέρχομαιI go in, come inἔρχομαιI come, go
αὐτός
λέγωI say, speakδέbut, on the otheπρός
εἰμίI am, exist
οὗτοςσύἐγώ
To the19783×
what comes after →
θεόςGod, a god
Article theκαίand, even, also,ἐγώ
δέbut, on the other ha
λέγωI say, speakἸησοῦςJesusἀποκρίνομαιI answer, reply
ἸησοῦςJesus
λέγωI say, speakκαίand, even, also,Article the
κύριοςlord, Lord, master,
ἐγώἸησοῦςJesusArticle the
πατήρfather, Father, ance
ἐγώσύαὐτός

branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path

Concordance · 19,783× in the New Testament
Matthew Acts Luke John Revelation Mark Romans 1 Corinthians Hebrews 2 Corinthians Ephesians 1 John

40 inflected forms — one of the commonest words in the New Testament. Full distribution →

Across the New Testament27 of 27 books
MtMkLkJnAcRo1Co2CoGaEphPhpCol1Th2Th1Ti2TiTitPhmHebJas1Pe2Pe1Jn2Jn3JnJudRev
Outside the New Testamentthe same word in the Greek of its own century
Josephus Philo of Alexandria The Shepherd of Hermas Clement of Rome The Epistle of Barnabas
Philo of AlexandriaOn the Creation of the World 1c. AD 40

Τῶν ἄλλων νομοθετῶν οἱ μὲν ἀκαλλώπιστα καὶ γυμνὰ τὰ νομισθέντα παρ’ αὐτοῖς εἶναι δίκαια διετάξαντο, οἱ δὲ πολὺν ὄγκον τοῖς νοήμασι προσπεριβαλόντες ἐξετύφωσαν τὰ πλήθη μυθικοῖς πλάσμασι τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἐπικρύψαντες.

JosephusAntiquities of the Jews 1.argc. AD 75–95

τοῦ κόσμου σύστασις καὶ διάταξις τῶν στοιχείων.

The Epistle of BarnabasThe Epistle of Barnabas 1.1c. AD 100

Χαίρετε, υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες, ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντος ἡμᾶς, ἐν εἰρήνῃ.

In the everyday Greek (the secular world, not the church)letters, leases, receipts — nobody writing one is trying to sound biblical
2nd c. AD 3rd c. AD 1st c. AD 3rd c. BC 6th c. AD
P.Stras. 2 89Pathyris100 BC

r βασιλεύοντος Πτολεμαίου τοῦ ἐπικαλουμένου Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Βερενίκης τῆς ἀδελφῆς θεῶν Φιλομητόρων ἔτους ιε, ἐφʼ ἱερέων καὶ ἱερειῶν

P.Adl. 11Pathyris99 BC

ιζ Θῶυθ κη ἀπέδοτο Πετεσοῦχος Φίβιος καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τὸ ὕπαρχον αὐτοῖς ἥμισυ περιστερῶνος τοῦ ὄντος ἐν τῶι ἀπὸ βορρᾶ μέρει Παθύρεως χαλκοῦ Γ. ἐπρίατο Ὧρος Νεχούτου.

P.Grenf. 2 35Pathyris99 BC

βασιλευόντων Πτολεμαίου τοῦ ἐπικαλουμένου Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Βερενίκης τῆς ἀδελφῆς θεῶν φιλομητόρων ἔτους ιϛ, ἐφʼ ἱερέων καὶ ἱερειῶν

All things now do test; To the good do hold fast;
καλὸνkalos good G2570 Adjective · accusative · singular · neuter
101× in the NT scale is logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word, appears 19,867×
about as common in 1 Thessalonians as anywhere else in the New Testament
In plain English
Meaning
Something or someone that is kalos is fair, beautiful, or good, like the stones in Luke 21:5 or the fish in Matthew 13:48.
Amplified meaning
beautiful, virtuous, morally excellent
Tyndale gloss
Fair (Havens)
Greek lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Greek word καλός (i.e., *kalos*) means beautiful or good, often referring to outward appearance or moral quality. It encompasses a range of meanings from physical beauty to ethical goodness, as seen in various contexts like good deeds or excellent qualities. The New Testament uses it frequently to describe things that are valuable or virtuous, such as in Matthew 13:8 regarding good soil. There is a distinction noted between καλός and another word for good, ἀγαθός, with καλός emphasizing goodness as it appears to others.

Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the NT

καλός, -ή, -όν,

[in LXX chiefly for טוֹב, טוֹבָה, also for יָפֶה, etc.;]

primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the essence," Cremer, 339), fair, beautiful: λίθοι (EV, goodly), Lk 21:5.

In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its ends, good, excellent: of fish, τ. καλά (opp. to σαπρά), Mt 13:48; σπέρμα, Mt 13:24, 27, 37, 38; καρπός, Mt 3:10 7:17-19 12:33, Lk 3:9 [WH] 6:43; δένδρον (opp. to σαρπόν), Mt 12:33, Lk 6:43; γῆ,

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Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament from a scan

καλός, -7, -dv, [ prob. primarily ‘ sound,’ ‘ hale,’ ‘ whole ;’ ef. Vaniéek p. 140 sq. ; Curtius § 51], Sept. for 75

Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament from a scan

καλός. Hort in his note on 1 Pet 212 has pointed out that while ἀγαθός ‘ denotes what is good in virtue of its results,” καλός “denotes that kind of goodness which is at once seen to be good.” It may not be possible always to press the distinction, but what we may call this self-evidencing power of καλός, a goodness as it appears to, and is realized by, others comes out generally speaking in the citations that follow. Thus in its application to persons the adj. is united with πιστός in the well-known early Christian letter of Psenosiris, where Psenosiris writes regarding Politike —t]atitny παραδέδωκα Tots καλοῖς καὶ πιστοῖς ἐξ αὐτῶν τῶν νεκροτάφων (“‘grave-diggers’’) eis τήρησιν (P Grenf II. 731" (late iii/A.D.) (= Selecttons, p. 118) ). And so in the Silco inscr., OGIS 201® (vi/A.D.), the King announces—érlotevoa τὸν ὅρκον αὐτῶν, ὡς καλοί εἰσιν ἄνθρωποι, ‘‘ quia honesti homines sunt”…

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Liddell-Scott-Jones, full edition

καλός (kalos) — good.

καλός, ή, όν,

Aeolic dialect κάλος (see. below), α, ον, Boeotian dialect καλϝός [Refs 6th c.BC+]:—

__A beautiful, of outward form, frequently of persons, κάλλιστος ἀνὴρ ὑπὸ Ἴλιον ἦλθεν [Refs 8th c.BC+] usually in the phrase κ. τε μέγας τε [Refs 8th c.BC+]; μέγας καὶ κ. [Refs 8th c.BC+]; καλὸς δέμας beautiful of form,[Refs 5th c.BC+]; Χορῷ καλή beauteous in the dance, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: with infinitive, καλλίονες καὶ μείζονες εἰσοράασθαι [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἐσορᾶν κ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]: frequently of parts of the body, fair, shapely, κ. πρόσωπα, ὅμματα, παρήϊα, σφυρά, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of clothes, εἵματα, φάρεα, Χιτών, Χλαῖνα, πέδιλα, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of arms and armour, κνημῖδες, ἀσπίς, σάκος, κόρυς, φάσγανα, ἔντεα, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of buildings, manufactured articles, etc., αὐλὴ κ. τε μεγάλη τε [Refs]; κ. δώματα, τεῖχος, πόλιες,[Refs…

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Strong's Greek Dictionary

καλός

kalos

of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively)

good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance

or use, and thus distinguished from 18, which is properly

intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.

see GREEK for 18

Dodson Greek-English Lexicon

καλός, ή, όν

Adj

beautiful, good, worthy

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary

καλός kalos 101x

pr. beautiful; good, of good quality or disposition; fertile, rich, Mt. 13:8, 23; useful, profitable, Lk. 14:34; καλόν ἐστι[ν], it is profitable, it is well, Mt. 18:8, 9; excellent, choice, select, goodly, Mt. 7:17, 19; καλόν ἐστι[ν], it is pleasant, delightful, Mt. 17:4; just, full measure, Lk. 6:38; honorable, distinguished, Jas. 2:7; good, possessing moral excellence, worthy, upright, virtuous, Jn. 10:11, 14; Read the full entry →

Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones

καλός καλός, ή, όν beautiful, beauteous, fair, Lat. pulcher, of outward form, Hom., etc.; καλὸς δέμας beautiful of form, Od.; so, εἶδος κάλλιστος Xen.; καλὸς τὸ σῶμα id. Xen.; c. inf., κ. εἰσοράασθαι Hom.

τὸ καλόν, like κάλλος, beauty, Eur., etc.: τὰ καλά the decencies, proprieties, elegancies of life, Hdt., etc.

in reference to use, beautiful, fair, good, κ. λιμήν Od.; καλὸς εἴς τι Xen.; πρός τι Plat.; c. inf., κάλλιστος τρέχειν Xen.;—esp. in the foll. phrases, ἐν καλῷ [τόπῳ] in a good place, Thuc.; ἐν καλῷ τοῦ κόλπου, τῆς πόλεως Xen.; ἐν κ. (sub. χρόνῳ), in good time, in season, Eur.:—so, καλόν ἐστι, c. inf., Soph.

of sacrifices, good, auspicious, Aesch., etc.

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj-ASN — Adjective · accusative · singular · neuter
accusative — the one it is done to — the object.
Agrees with anything else marked singular neuter.
Robinson's Morphological Analysis Codes

A-ASN Part of Speech: Adjective Case: Accusative Number: Singular Gender: Neuter

Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

Into Englishhow translators actually render it
78%good
good78% · 80×better8% · 8×right4% · 4×other renderings10% · 10×

102 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 13 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.

What it does in the sentencefrom the Nestle 1904 treebank
object42%predicate33%adverbial16%second object4%subject4%

Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 101 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.

The phrases it lives inwhat stands either side of it, across the New Testament
← what comes before
Article the
γῆthe earth, soil,ποιμήνa shepherdσύ
καρπόςfruit, result, gain
ποιέωI do, makeἀγαθόςgoodσαπρόςrotten, useless,
αὐτός
ἀποκόπτωI smite, cut offκαρπόςfruit, result, gἐκβάλλωI throw, cast, p
ὅτιthat, since, because
νόμοςa law, the Mosaiἀνάγκηnecessity, constδέbut, on the othe
εἰμίI am, exist
οὐNegγάρforοὗτος
καλόςgood101×
what comes after →
ἔργονwork, labor, action,
προΐστημιI ruleκαίand, even, also,ἐργάζομαιI word, trade, d
καίand, even, also, nam
δίδωμιI offer, giveArticle theἀγαθόςgood
εἰμίI am, exist
ἐγώαὐτόςσύ
Article the
ἅλαςsaltποιμήνa shepherdψυχήthe soul, life,
ποιέωI do, make
Article theκαρπόςfruit, result, gἐγώ

branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path

Concordanceκαλός · 101× in the New Testament
Matthew 1 Timothy Mark Luke John 1 Corinthians Hebrews Romans Titus 1 Peter 2 Timothy Galatians

Every reference is on the Strong's page.

Across the New Testament16 of 27 books
MtMkLkJnAcRo1Co2CoGaEphPhpCol1Th2Th1Ti2TiTitPhmHebJas1Pe2Pe1Jn2Jn3JnJudRev
The Hebrew behind itwhat the Septuagint translators were rendering

Counted over the 131 Old Testament verses where this Greek word stands: which Hebrew word keeps standing there too. A correspondence of verses rather than a word-by-word alignment, so read the percentage as strength of evidence, not as a claim about any single verse.

Outside the New Testamentthe same word in the Greek of its own century
Philo of Alexandria Josephus Clement of Rome The Shepherd of Hermas The Epistle of Barnabas
Philo of AlexandriaOn the Creation of the World 8c. AD 40

Μωυσῆς δὲ καὶ φιλοσοφίας ἐπ’ αὐτὴν φθάσας ἀκρότητα καὶ χρησμοῖς τὰ πολλὰ καὶ συνεκτικώτατα τῶν τῆς φύσεως ἀναδιδαχθεὶς ἔγνω δή, ὅτι ἀναγκαιότατόν ἐστιν ἐν τοῖς οὖσι τὸ μὲν εἶναι δραστήριον αἴτιον, τὸ δὲ παθητόν, καὶ ὅτι τὸ μὲν δραστήριον ὁ τῶν ὅλων…

JosephusAntiquities of the Jews 1.9c. AD 75–95

τούτῳ δὴ πειθόμενος ὡς αἰεὶ τοῖς χρήσιμον ἢ καλόν τι πράττειν δυναμένοις συμφιλοκαλοῦντι καὶ ἐμαυτὸν αἰσχυνόμενος, εἰ δόξαιμι ῥαθυμίᾳ πλέον ἢ τῷ περὶ τὰ κάλλιστα χαίρειν πόνῳ, προθυμότερον ἐπερρώσθην, ἔτι κἀκεῖνα πρὸς τοῖς εἰρημένοις λογισάμενος οὐ…

The Epistle of BarnabasThe Epistle of Barnabas 6.12c. AD 100

καὶ εἶπεν κύριος, ἰδὼν τὸ καλὸν πλάσμα ἡμῶν: Λὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθυνέσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὴν γῆν.

In the everyday Greek (the secular world, not the church)letters, leases, receipts — nobody writing one is trying to sound biblical
6th c. AD 2nd c. AD 7th c. AD 3rd c. AD 4th c. AD
P.Fay. 116Euhemeria (ArsinoitesAD 104

ἢ κορακίνους τριάκοντα καὶ ταριχεύσας πέμψεις μοι εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ ποίησον … τας καλοὺς τεσσαράκοντα , ἐπεὶ βουλεύομαι εἰς πόλιν ἀπελθεῖν χάριν τοῦ μικροῦ καὶ χάριν ἐκείνου τοῦ

P.Rein. 1 52Theadelphia (Arsinoites)AD 250–AD 264

ἐγράφη τὴν περιποίησιν τοῦ σίτου καὶ τὴν ἀναπομπὴν δηλῶσαι· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἠμελήσατε ἴσως οὐ καλῷ συνειδότι χρώμενοι· ὃ καὶ νῦν ποιήσατε ἵνα μὴ μετὰ στρατιώτου ἀναγκάσθητε τοῦτο ποιῆσαι. ἐρρῶσθαί

P.Fay. 133Theadelphia (Arsinoites)AD 260

ἡμερῶν δύο καὶ τριῶν ἵνα καὶ τὰ κοῦφά σοι συνδράμῃ ἀλλὰ καὶ ὁ οἶνος καλὸς γένηται, οἶδας γὰρ ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς νῦν ἐστιν ὀψιμώτερος, καθὼς καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλοις

All things now do test; To the good do hold fast;
κατέχετε·katechō do hold fast; G2722 Verb · present · active · imperative · second person · plural
18× in the NT scale is logarithmic — ὁ, the commonest word, appears 19,867×
commoner in 1 Thessalonians than anywhere else in the New Testament
In plain English
Meaning
To hold back means to keep or restrain something, like in Luke 8:15 and Romans 1:18. It can also mean to possess or have control over something, like in 1 Corinthians 7:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
Amplified meaning
keep, possess, retain
Tyndale gloss
to hold back/fast
Greek lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

κατέχω is built from the prefix κατ- and the verb ἔχω, meaning to hold or possess. It encompasses a range of meanings including to hold fast, restrain, and detain. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts such as retaining faith (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and restraining evil (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). The lexicons do not show significant disagreement.

Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the NT

κατ-έχω,

[in LXX for אחז, חזק hi., etc.;]

perfective of ἔχω (M, Pr., 116; M, Th., 155),

to possess, hold fast: Lk 8:15, Jo 5:[4], Ro 1:18 (Lft., Notes, 251), I Co 7:30 11:2, II Co 6:10, I Th 5:21, He 3:6, 14 10:23;

to lay hold of, get possession of: Lk 14:9.

to hold back, detain, restrain (M, Th., 156 f.): c. acc. seq. τοῦ μή c. inf., Lk 4:42; seq. πρός, c. acc., Phm 13; absol., τὸ κατέχον (ὁ κ.), II Th…

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Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament from a scan

κατέχω; impf. κατεῖχον; 2 aor. subjunc. κατάσχω; impf. pass. κατειχόμην ; 1. to hold back, detain, retain; a. τινά, from going away, foll. by τοῦ μή w. inf., Lk. iv. 42 [B. § 140, 16 8.; οἵ. W. 604 (561)]; τινὰ πρὸς ἐμαυτόν, Philem. 13. Pass. (as often in Grk. writ. fr. Hom. down; ef. Passow 8. v. p. 1677*; [L. and 5. 5. ν. II. 67), of some troublesome condition or circumstance by which one is held as it were bound: νοσήματι, Jn. v. 4[GT Tr WHom. the passage]; ἔν τινι, Ro. vii. 6. b. to restrain, hinder (the course or progress of): τ. ἀλήθειαν ἐν ἀδικίᾳ, Ro. i. 18; absol. τὸ κατέχον, that which hinders, se. Antichrist from making his appearance (see avrixpiotos); the power of the Roman empire is meant; 6 κατέχων he that hinders, checks, sc. the advent of Antichrist, denotes the one in whom that power is lodged, the Roman emperor: 2 Th. ii. 6 sq. (cf., besides De Wette and Liinemann ad…

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Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament from a scan

κατέχω royal ordinance—s.c. 118) κρατεῖν ὧν κατεσχήκασι κλή(ρων), ‘shall have the legal ownership of the lands which they have possessed ” (Edd.), P Oxy II. 237 Vili 22 (a.p, 186) διαζητοῦντί μοι μαθεῖν ἐκ τίνος ὑποθέσεως ἐτελεῖτο τὰς Αἰγυπτιακὰς γυναῖκας κατὰ ἐνχώριον νόμιμα (/ νόμισμα) κατέχειν τὰ ὑπάρχοντα τῶν ἀνδρῶν διὰ τῶν γαμικῶν συνγραφῶν κτλ., ‘when I wished to know on what pretext it came about that Egyptian wives have by native Egyptian law a claim upon their husbands’ property through their marriage contracts” etc. (Edd.). Cf. also P Oxy IV. γ7γ1315 (A.D. 97) where the parents κατέσχον τῇ ἐξ ἀλλήλων γενεᾷ τὰ ἑαυτῶν πάντα, ‘settled upon their joint issue the whole of their property” (Edd.). (2) From this it is an easy transition to the meaning ‘‘ lay hold of,” ‘* take possession of,’ as in Lk 14%: see e.g. P Amh II. 3076 (ii/B.c.) where in an official report regarding the…

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Liddell-Scott-Jones, full edition

κατέχω (katechō) — to hold back/fast.

κατέχω,

future καθέξω (of duration) [Refs 8th c.BC+]aorist κατέσχον, poetry

__A κατέσχεθον [Refs 8th c.BC+]; Epic dialect 3rd.pers. singular κάσχεθε [Refs 8th c.BC+], Aeolic dialect κατέσκ [εθε] [Refs 7th c.BC+]; late aorist κατέσχα [Refs 4th c.AD+]

__A.I transitive, hold fast, καλύπτρην χείρεσσι [Refs 8th c.BC+]

__A.I.b hold back, withhold, εἴ με βίῃ ἀέκοντα καθέξει [Refs 8th c.BC+]: check, restrain, bridle, ἑωυτόν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; [γυναῖκε] [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὀργήν, θυμόν, ὕβριν, etc., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κ. τὴν ἀγωγήν put it off, [Refs]; κ. τὸ πλῆθος ἐλευθέρως, ἰσχύϊ, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οὖρον hold in, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἑαυτὸν κατέχει μὴ ἐπιπηδᾶν restrains himself from.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]:—passive, to be held down, γλῶσσα κατείχετο [Refs 5th c.BC+]; to be bound…

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Strong's Greek Dictionary

κατέχω

katecho

from 2596 and 2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications

(literally or figuratively):--have, hold (fast), keep (in memory),

let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.

see GREEK for 2596

see GREEK for 2192

Dodson Greek-English Lexicon

κατέχω

v.

I hold fast, bind, restrain

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary

κατέχω katechō 17x

(1) transitive, to hold down; to detain, retain, Lk. 4:42; Rom. 1:18; Phlm. 13; to hinder, restrain, 2 Thess. 2:6, 7; to hold downright, hold in a firm grasp, to have in full and secure possession, 1 Cor. 7:30; 2 Cor. 6:10; to come into full possession of, seize upon; to keep, retain, 1 Thess. 5:21; to occupy, Lk. 14:9; met. to hold fast mentally, retain, Lk. 8:15; 1 Cor. 11:2; 15:2…

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Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones

κατέχω fut. καθέξω fut. κατασχήσω aor2 κατέσχον poet. κατέσχεθον epic 3rd sg. κάσχεθε trans. to hold fast, Hes.

to hold back, withhold, Hom.:— to check, restrain, control, bridle, Hdt., attic: —Pass. to be held down, to be bound, kept under, Hdt.

to detain, id. Hdt., Xen.:—Pass. to be detained, to stay, stop, tarry, Hdt., Soph.

to have in possession, possess, occupy, Trag.

of sound, to fill, ἀλαλητῷ πεδίον κατέχουσι Il.; κ. στρατόπεδον δυσφημίαις to fill it with his grievous cries, Soph.

βιοτὰν κ. to continue a life, id. Soph.

to occupy, be spread over, cover, νὺξ κάτεχ᾽ οὐρανόν Od.; ἡμέρα κατέσχε γαῖαν Aesch.:—in Mid., κατέσχετο πρόσωπα covered her face, Od.

of the grave, to confine, cover, Hom.

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Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Verb-PAM-2P — Verb · present · active · imperative · second person · plural
present active imperative — an action in progress.
Robinson's Morphological Analysis Codes

V-PAM-2P Part of Speech: Verb Tense: Present Voice: Active Mood: iMperative Person: second Number: Plural

Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fast

The sole fast required by the law of Moses was that of the great Day of Atonement (q.v.), Lev. 23:26-32. It is called “the fast” (Acts 27:9).

The only other mention of a periodical fast in the Old Testament is in Zech. 7:1-7; 8:19, from which it appears that during their captivity the Jews observed four annual fasts.

(1.) The fast of the fourth month, kept on the seventeenth day of Tammuz, the anniversary of the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; to commemorate also the incident recorded Ex. 32:19. (Comp. Jer. 52:6, 7.)

Into Englishhow translators actually render it
11%possessing
possessing11% · 2×restraining11% · 2×keep11% · 2×they were making6% · 1×suppressing6% · 1×we were bound6% · 1×you are keeping6% · 1×you hold fast6% · 1×other renderings39% · 7×

18 occurrences in the New Testament, rendered 15 different ways. The commonest English word for it is not its meaning — it is one translator's decision, repeated.

What it does in the sentencefrom the Nestle 1904 treebank
verb100%

Parsing tells you the form; the treebank tells you the job. Counted over all 18 occurrences — a word inside a phrase counts towards whatever that phrase is doing.

The phrases it lives inwhat stands either side of it, across the New Testament
← what comes before
Article the
νῦνnow, already, atμόνοςalone, but, only
βέβαιοςfirm, steadfast, end
τέλοςan end, purpose,
καίand, even, also, nam
αὐτός
λόγοςa word, speech, divi
Article the
τόποςa place
ἔσχατοςlast, at the las
κατέχωdo hold fast;18×
what comes after →
αὐτός
Article the
καίand, even, also, nam
καρποφορέωI bear fruit
νόσημαa trouble, disease
εἰς
Article the
ὥστεso that, therefore
δουλεύωI am a slave, am

branches are dictionary forms, so endings do not split one phrase into five; the number on a branch is how many times the New Testament takes that path

Concordanceκατέχω · 18× in the New Testament
1 Corinthians Hebrews Luke 2 Thessalonians Romans 1 Thessalonians 2 Corinthians Acts John Philemon
Across the New Testament10 of 27 books
MtMkLkJnAcRo1Co2CoGaEphPhpCol1Th2Th1Ti2TiTitPhmHebJas1Pe2Pe1Jn2Jn3JnJudRev
Outside the New Testamentthe same word in the Greek of its own century
Josephus Philo of Alexandria
Philo of AlexandriaOn Flight and Finding 151c. AD 40

ἀπέστειλεν οὖν τὸν ἔριφον κομίσασθαι τὸν ἀρραβῶνα παρὰ τῆς γυναικός, οὐ τοῦτο προῃρημένος πάντως ἀπολαβεῖν, ἀλλ’ εἴ ποτε ἀναξία τοῦ κατέχειν ἐκείνη γένοιτο.

JosephusAntiquities of the Jews 2.21c. AD 75–95

οὕτως δʼ αὐτοὺς Ῥουβῆλος ὁρῶν ἔχοντας ὁ πρεσβύτατος αὐτῶν καὶ πρὸς τὴν πρᾶξιν ὡμονοηκότας ἐπειρᾶτο κατέχειν ὑποδεικνὺς τὸ μέγεθος τοῦ τολμήματος καὶ τὸ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ μύσος,

In the everyday Greek (the secular world, not the church)letters, leases, receipts — nobody writing one is trying to sound biblical
6th c. AD 2nd c. AD 3rd c. AD 3rd c. BC 4th c. AD
BGU 4 1148Alexandria14 BC

προσεληλυθέναι αφ … τῇ κατοχῇ αὐτοῦ ἀκολούθως τοῖς τῆς χώρας νόμοις διὰ τὸ αὐτὴν κατέχειν τὴν Διονυσίου συγγραφὴν Αἰγυπτίαν καὶ εἶναι αὐτόθεν ἀκύρους τὰς δύο συνχωρήσεις, μὴ ἐπελεύσεσθαι δὲ

P.Oxy. 49 3466OxyrhynchosAD 81–AD 96

δὲ Δημητρίας ὡσαύτως μετερχομένης τὸν Φανίαν ἀργυρίου δραχμὰς τρισχιλίας ἑξακοσίας … ν … οκα κατείχετο παρʼ ἑαυτῇ μέχρι τῆς τοῦ δανείου κομιδῆς, ἀποπεφηνότος τοῦ Κάρου ἀκολούθως τοῖς γενομένοις ὑπʼ

διαζητοῦντί μοι μαθεῖν ἔκ τινος ὑποθέσεως ἐγένετο τὰς Αἰγυπτίας γυναῖκας κατὰ τὰ ἐνχώρια νόμιμα κατέχειν τὰ ὑπάρχοντα τῶν ἀνδρῶν διὰ τῶν γαμικῶν συνγραφῶν ἑαυταῖς τε καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις, πλειστάκις

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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