Greek · G1658 · unreviewed

ἐλεύθερος

Free/freedom

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.

ἐλεύθερος G1658

Pronunciation eleútheros

What does ἐλεύθερος (eleútheros) mean in the Bible?

ἐλεύθερος (eleútheros) is a Greek word meaning "free/freedom". ἐλεύθερος, -α, -ον [in LXX chiefly for חׇפְשִׁי ;] free; __(a) in civil sense, not a slave: Jhn. Spiritual liberation granted by the Son. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.

Full entry for ἐλεύθερος (G1658) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

free/freedom

Extended definition

Liberation from external constraint or obligation, whether social, legal, or spiritual bondage.

free;

ain civil sense, not a slave: Jhn.8:33, 1Co.7:21-22 12:13, Gal.3:28, Eph.6:8, Col.3:11, Rev.6:15 13:16 19:18; fem., Gal.4:22-23, 30;

bas regards restraint and obligation in general: Mat.17:26, 1Co.9:1; before ἐκ, 1Co.9:19; ἀπό, Rom.7:3; with inf., 1Co.7:39; from the law, Gal.4:26, 1Pe.2:16; from sin, Jhn.8:32, 36; τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ, as regards righteousness, Rom.6:20 (Cremer, 249).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Spiritual liberation granted by the Son. 1 Peter 2:11-17

Defines Christian liberty as accountable service under God rather than autonomous self-rule.

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Masculine 1 Cor 7:21 · 1 Cor 7:22 · 1 Cor 9:1 · 1 Cor 9:19 · Gal 3:28 · Eph 6:8 · Col 3:11 · Rev 6:15 8×

Nominative · Plural · Masculine Matt 17:26 · John 8:33 · John 8:36 · Rom 6:20 · 1 Cor 12:13 · 1 Pet 2:16 6×

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Rom 7:3 · 1 Cor 7:39 · Gal 4:26 3×

Genitive · Singular · Feminine Gal 4:22 · Gal 4:23 · Gal 4:30 · Gal 4:31 4×

Genitive · Plural · Masculine Rev 19:18 1×

Accusative · Plural · Masculine Rev 13:16 1×

Canonical Themes

Messiah

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

1 Peter 2:11-17 freedom eleútheros Nominative · Plural · Masculine

free persons

Additional Occurrences

John 8:31-47 λεθεος eleútheros

free

Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

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.

1 Corinthians 9 — Rights Surrendered, the Gospel Advanced, and Discipline for the Prize Galatians 4 — No Longer Slaves: Sonship, Pastoral Anguish, and Children of Promise John 8 — The Light of the World, True Freedom, and the I AM Before Abraham Matthew 17 — The Glory of the Son, the Coming of Elijah, the Failure of Little Faith, and the Son’s Humble Freedom

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