OlivePress
Pressing the Word of God for Deeper Understanding.
Greek · G1121 · unreviewed

γράμμα

Something written

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

γράμμα G1121
Pronunciation grámma

What does γράμμα (grámma) mean in the Bible?

γράμμα (grámma) is a Greek word meaning "something written". γράμμα, -τος, τό (γράφω), [in LXX for סֵפֶר, etc. Contrasts external regulation with inward renewal by the Spirit. This term runs through the canonical themes of Redemption, Spirit.

Full entry for γράμμα (G1121) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

something written
Extended definition

The written letter or law contrasted with Spirit's direct influence in Paul's covenant theology.

(γράφω), [in LXX for סֵפֶר, etc. ;]

1that which is traced or drawn, a picture.
2that which is written; __(1) a character, letter: Gal.6:11; __(2) a writing, a written document;
aa bill or account: Luk.16:6, 7;
ba letter: Act.28:21; __(with) τὰ ἱερὰ γ., the sacred writings, i.e. the OT: 2Ti.3:15 (so in Philo, Vit. Mos., iii, 39) ;
dτὸ γ., the letter, the written word as an external authority in contrast with the direct influence of the Spirit as manifested in the new Covenant: Rom.2:27, 29 7:6, 2Co.3:6, 7; __(3) τὰ γ., letters, i.e. learning: Jhn.7:15, Act.26:24. (In π. an illiterate person is very frequently referred to as γράμματα μ᾽̀ εἰδότης, and this "never means anything else than inability to write": MM, Exp., x; but see also Cremer, 166; DCG, i, 202; ii, 584.)
Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Why This Word Matters
Contrasts external regulation with inward renewal by the Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Paul emphasizes that Timothy’s knowledge of Scripture from childhood provided a foundation for understanding salvation. Romans 7:1-6
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Plural · Neuter Acts 26:24 1×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter 2 Cor 3:6 1×
Genitive · Singular · Neuter Rom 2:27 · Rom 7:6 · 2 Cor 3:6 3×
Dative · Plural · Neuter John 5:47 · 2 Cor 3:7 · Gal 6:11 3×
Dative · Singular · Neuter Rom 2:29 1×
Accusative · Plural · Neuter Luke 16:6 · Luke 16:7 · John 7:15 · Acts 28:21 · 2 Tim 3:15 5×
14 total occurrences across all forms in the biblical text Morphology: MorphGNT SBLGNT — CC BY-SA 3.0
Canonical Themes
Redemption Spirit
Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses
2 Timothy 3:14-17 Sacred Writings grámma Accusative · Plural · Neuter
writings or letters, referring here to the sacred Scriptures
Romans 7:1-6 γράμμα grámma Genitive · Singular · Neuter
Letter, written code.
Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Romans 2 — God’s Righteous Judgment and the Exposure of Religious Presumption Romans 7 — Released from the Law, Exposed by the Law, and Crying Out for Deliverance

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details