Lexical Summary ektos: outside, without, except Original Word: ἐκτός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance but, except, other than, besidesFrom ek; the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides -- but, except(-ed), other than, out of, outside, unless, without. see GREEK ek NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek Definition the exterior, fig. (as a preposition) aside from, besides NASB Translation except* (1), excepted (1), outside (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1622: ἐκτόςἐκτός, adverb (opposed to ἐντός, which see), outside, beyond; a. s τό ἐκτός, the outside, exterior, with possessive the genitive, Matthew 23:26 (cf. τό ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου, 25). On the pleonastic phrase ἐκτός εἰ μή, see εἰ, III. 8 d. b. It has the force of a preposition (cf. Winers Grammar, § 54, 6), and is followed by the genitive (so even in Homer); αα. outside of: ἐκτός τοῦ σώματος out of the body, i. e. freed from it, 2 Corinthians 12:2f. (in 2 Corinthians 12:3 L T Tr WH read χωρίς for ἐκτός); εἶναι ἐκτός τοῦ σώματος (A. V. without the body, i. e.), does not pertain to the body, 1 Corinthians 6:18. β. beyond, besides, except: Acts 26:22 (where the construction is οὐδέν λέγων ἐκτός τούτων, ἅτε οἱ ... ἐλάλησαν etc. (cf. Buttmann, 287 (246); Winer's Grammar, 158f (149f)); 1 Corinthians 15:27. (the Sept. for לְבַד followed by מִן, Judges 8:26; מִלְּבַד, 1 Kings 10:13; 2 Chronicles 9:12; 2 Chronicles 17:19.) Strong’s Greek 1622 (ektós) consistently frames a boundary—physical, moral, relational, or logical—marking what lies “outside” the divinely established line. It introduces an exception that tests motives and exposes whether one’s life aligns with God’s revealed will. Occurrences and Contextual Themes 1. Matthew 23:26 – External Religion vs. Internal Purity “Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.” Ektós highlights the Pharisees’ obsession with appearances. Jesus drives the disciples toward inward transformation that alone renders the “outside” acceptable. 2. Acts 26:22 – Protection for Gospel Witness “But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike, saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen.” Paul testifies that, ektós those prophetic boundaries, he proclaims nothing. The term underscores apostolic fidelity to Scripture, modeling responsible ministry that refuses innovations outside inspired revelation. 3. 1 Corinthians 6:18 – Moral Boundaries and Sexual Sin “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” Paul singles out sexual sin as uniquely invasive—it breaches what should remain ektós, bringing defilement into the believer’s body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 4. 1 Corinthians 14:5 – Edification Above Personal Display “…unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.” Tongues without interpretation leave listeners ektós—outside understanding. The Spirit’s gifts are to draw believers in, not leave them separated from comprehension and benefit. 5. 1 Corinthians 15:2 – Perseverance in the True Gospel “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” Salvation’s assurance is conditioned: remain within the apostolic message; ektós that boundary faith proves empty. Genuine belief perseveres in orthodox content. 6. 1 Corinthians 15:27 – Cosmic Subjection Under Christ “For ‘God has put everything under His feet.’ Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, it is clear that this does not include the One who put everything under Him.” Ektós distinguishes the Father from creation in the hierarchy of redemptive order, safeguarding monotheism while affirming Christ’s universal lordship. 7. 2 Corinthians 12:2 – Mystical Experience and Revelation “…whether in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” Paul’s uncertainty (ektós) about bodily localization underscores that genuine spiritual experiences may transcend normal categories, yet they remain subject to God’s sovereign knowledge and purpose. 8. 1 Timothy 5:19 – Safeguards in Church Discipline “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Ektós establishes due process, protecting leaders from frivolous charges while ensuring accountability, reflecting the justice embedded in both Old and New Covenants. Theological Significance Ektós functions as Scripture’s “boundary marker.” It guards: Practical and Ministry Implications 1. Discipleship: Emphasize inner transformation so that external conduct authentically reflects a cleansed heart (Matthew 23:26). Historical Reception Early church fathers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian invoked the principle of ektós when defending the faith against heresy, insisting that genuine doctrine must not wander outside the prophetic-apostolic deposit. Councils later echoed this boundary, codifying creedal statements to keep the church within scriptural parameters. Conclusion Strong’s 1622 serves as a scriptural sentinel: it delineates “inside” from “outside,” calling believers to embrace internal holiness, doctrinal fidelity, orderly worship, and just community practices while honoring the supremacy of God’s revelation and the lordship of Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 23:26 AdvGRK: καὶ τὸ ἐκτὸς αὐτοῦ καθαρόν NAS: so that the outside of it may become KJV: that the outside of them INT: also the outside of them clean Acts 26:22 Adv 1 Corinthians 6:18 Adv 1 Corinthians 14:5 Adv 1 Corinthians 15:2 Adv 1 Corinthians 15:27 Adv 2 Corinthians 12:2 Adv 1 Timothy 5:19 Adv |
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