Greek · G3498, G2041 · unreviewed

νεκρῶν ἔργων

Dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) · toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

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.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

νεκρός G3498 dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
Pronunciation nekrós
Spiritually inoperative or powerless; used of faith, sin, and spiritual deadness in sin apart from Christ.
Open lexicon entry →
ἔργον G2041 toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
Pronunciation érgon
Work as visible deed or accomplishment, whether human action or divine work, emphasizing observable result over mere intention.
Open lexicon entry →

What does νεκρῶν ἔργων (nekrōn ergōn) mean in the Bible?

νεκρός · ἔργον is a Greek word meaning "dead works; works associated with spiritual death".

Full entry for νεκρῶν ἔργων (G3498, G2041) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

dead works; works associated with spiritual death
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Plural · Masculine Matt 11:5 · Matt 28:4 · Luke 7:22 · Luke 20:37 · John 5:25 · 1 Cor 15:15 · 1 Cor 15:16 · 1 Cor 15:29 · 1 Cor 15:32 · 1 Cor 15:35 · 1 Cor 15:52 · 1 Thess 4:16 · Rev 14:13 · Rev 20:12 14×
Nominative · Singular · Masculine Mark 9:26 · Luke 7:15 · Luke 15:24 · Luke 15:32 · Acts 20:9 · Rev 1:17 · Rev 1:18 · Rev 2:8 · Rev 3:1
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Rom 7:8 · Jas 2:17 · Jas 2:26
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Rom 8:10 · Jas 2:26
Genitive · Plural · Masculine Matt 14:2 · Matt 17:9 · Matt 22:31 · Matt 22:32 · Matt 23:27 · Matt 27:64 · Matt 28:7 · Mark 6:14 · Mark 9:9 · Mark 9:10 · Mark 12:25 · Mark 12:26 · Mark 12:27 · Luke 9:7 · Luke 16:30 · Luke 16:31 74×
Genitive · Plural · Neuter Heb 6:1 · Heb 9:14
Genitive · Singular · Masculine Rev 16:3
Dative · Plural · Masculine Heb 9:17 · 1 Pet 4:6
Accusative · Plural · Masculine Matt 8:22 · Matt 10:8 · Luke 9:60 · John 5:21 · Acts 26:8 · Rom 4:17 · Rom 6:11 · 2 Cor 1:9 · Eph 2:1 · Eph 2:5 · Col 2:13 · 2 Tim 4:1 · Heb 11:35 · 1 Pet 4:5 · Rev 20:12 · Rev 20:13 19×
Accusative · Singular · Feminine Acts 5:10
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 15 — Christ Is Risen, the Dead Will Be Raised, and Death Will Be Destroyed Acts 14 — Through Many Hardships into the Kingdom Acts 26 — Paul Before Agrippa: The Risen Christ Sends Light to Jews and Gentiles Acts 9 — The Risen Christ Converts His Fiercest Persecutor Ephesians 2 — Made Alive by Grace and Made One in Christ Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith: Gospel Unity, Apostolic Confrontation, and Life in Christ Galatians 3 — Faith, Promise, and the Curse-Bearing Christ Galatians 5 — Stand Firm in Freedom: Faith Working Through Love and Life by the Spirit John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 11 — The Resurrection and the Life, the Raising of Lazarus, and the Plot to Kill Jesus John 14 — The Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Father Revealed in the Son, and the Promise of the Spirit John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 21 — The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness John 5 — The Son Who Gives Life, Judges, and Is Witnessed by the Father John 6 — The Bread of Life, the Words of Eternal Life, and the Crisis of True Discipleship John 9 — The Man Born Blind, the Light of the World, and the Blindness of Religious Unbelief Luke 15 — The Joy of God over the Lost Being Found Luke 24 — The Risen Christ Opens the Scriptures, Commissions Witnesses, and Ascends in Blessing Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Mark 13 — Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Mark 9 — Glory, Unbelief, Suffering, Humility, and Radical Discipleship Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 11 — The Messiah Question, the Rejected Generation, and Rest for the Weary Matthew 17 — The Glory of the Son, the Coming of Elijah, the Failure of Little Faith, and the Son’s Humble Freedom Matthew 23 — Woes upon Hypocritical Leadership and the Lament over Jerusalem Matthew 28 — The Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission of the Risen King Matthew 5 — Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons Romans 10 — Christ the End of the Law and the Righteousness Received by Faith Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 13 — Submission to Governing Authorities, Love as the Fulfillment of the Law, and Life in the Light of the Coming Day Romans 14 — Receiving One Another, Honoring the Lord, and Pursuing Peace in Matters of Conscience Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles Romans 3 — All Under Sin and the Righteousness of God Revealed Through Faith in Christ Romans 4 — Abraham Justified by Faith and the Promise Secured by Grace Romans 9 — God’s Faithfulness, Sovereign Mercy, and Israel’s Stumbling Over Christ

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

Sources