Lexical Summary elachistoteros: Least, very least Original Word: ἐλαχιστότερος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance less than the least. Comparative of elachistos; far less -- less than the least. see GREEK elachistos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincptv. of elachistos, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1647: ἐλαχιστοτεροςἐλαχιστοτερος, ἐλαχιστερα, ἐλαχιστερον (comparitive formed from the superlative ἐλάχιστος; there is also a superlative ἐλαχιστοτατος; "it is well known that this kind of double comparison is common in the poets; but in prose, it is regarded as faulty." Lob. ad Phryn., p. 136; cf. Winers Grammar, § 11, 2 b. (also 27 (26); Buttmann, 28 (25))), less than the least, lower than the lowest: Ephesians 3:8. Topical Lexicon Semantic Nuance and Force of the TermThe form translated “less than the least” carries an intensive quality that goes beyond ordinary modesty. By stacking diminutive upon diminutive, Paul communicates a conscious lowering of himself to the furthest point he can linguistically express. Rather than an exercise in self-deprecation, the phrase functions as a theological declaration: any standing the apostle enjoys is entirely a gift of divine grace rather than personal merit. Immediate Biblical Context: Ephesians 3:8 “To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). 1. Contrast with Grace Paul’s self-assessment in Ephesians 3:8 is cast against the grandeur of his commission. The more exalted the ministry—“to preach… the boundless riches of Christ”—the more radical his confession of unworthiness. Theology of Apostolic Humility • Grace Magnified Paul consistently frames his apostolic role as an act of divine generosity (Romans 1:5; Galatians 1:15-16). The vocabulary of diminishment serves to magnify grace rather than highlight inadequacy. • Echoes of Christ’s Self-Emptying While Philippians 2:6-8 employs different terminology, the underlying pattern is the same: voluntary descent precedes exaltation. Paul mirrors his Lord by embracing the lowest place. • Paradigm for Christian Leadership Ephesians situates leadership in the church among gifts given “for the equipping of the saints” (Ephesians 4:11-12). The “least-of-all” mindset guards leaders from lording authority over others (cf. Mark 10:42-45). Intertextual Connections with “Least” Language Though these passages employ other Greek terms, they share the thematic burden: true greatness in the kingdom is measured by willingness to be counted least. Historical Reception • Early Church Fathers Chrysostom lauds Paul’s wording as a pattern for every minister: “He who has seen the abyss of his own unworthiness is made a herald of the heights of Christ.” • Monastic Tradition Desert monasticism adopted the pursuit of being “least” as a spiritual discipline, capturing Paul’s heart posture in practices of service and hiddenness. • Reformational Emphasis Reformers appealed to Paul’s statement to reinforce sola gratia, insisting that even apostles claim no intrinsic superiority. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preaching Ministry Humility voices dependence on the message rather than the messenger, fostering credibility and avoiding personality cults. Pastoral Meditation Paul’s singular use of this intensified form stands as a perpetual summons: the deeper our grasp of Christ’s riches, the clearer our sense of personal littleness—and the sweeter the testimony of grace that appoints “the least” to proclaim “the boundless.” Forms and Transliterations ελαχιστοτερω ελαχιστοτέρω ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ elachistotero elachistoterō elachistotéroi elachistotérōiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ephesians 3:8 Adj-DMS-CGRK: ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων KJV: Unto me, who am less than the least of all INT: To me the very least of all saints |
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