Lexical Summary emphutos: Implanted, engrafted Original Word: ἐμφυτός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance engrafted, implantedFrom en and a derivative of phuo; implanted (figuratively) -- engrafted. see GREEK en see GREEK phuo HELPS Word-studies 1721 émphytos (from 1722 /en, "in" and 5453 /phýō, "germinate, grow, spring up") – properly, implant, bring into living union like with a successfully engrafted shoot; (figuratively) what is "planted" and hence "inborn, congenital, natural" (Souter), i.e. placed in ("established") which enables something to develop (used only in Js 1:21). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom emphuó (to implant) Definition innate, implanted NASB Translation implanted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1721: ἔμφυτοςἔμφυτος (see ἐν, III. 3), ἔμφυτον (ἐμφύω to implant), in secular authors (from Herodotus down) inborn, implanted by nature; cf. Grimm, Exeget. Hdb. on Sap. (xii. 10), p. 224; implanted by others' instruction: thus James 1:21 τόν ἔμφυτον λόγον, the doctrine implanted by your teachers (others by God; cf. Brückner in DeWette, or Huther at the passage), δέξασθε ἐν πραΰτητι, receive like mellow soil, as it were. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Nuance Ἔμφυτος conveys the picture of something placed within that now draws life from its host and, in turn, transforms it. The single New Testament use concerns the word of God set deep in the believer’s heart, not as a static deposit but as a living, active power. Old Testament Foreshadowings The promise that God would internalize His revelation preceded James by centuries. Moses urged Israel to “lay up these words in your heart” (Deuteronomy 11:18). David confessed, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). The prophets looked ahead to a covenant when the Lord would “put My law within them and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26–27). These texts anticipate a divine act of planting, not merely teaching, the very word inside God’s people. New Testament Context James 1:21: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James writes to believers already born again “by the word of truth” (James 1:18). Yet he urges an ongoing reception of that same word, revealing a two-fold dynamic: initial regeneration and continuing sanctification. The term underscores that Scripture does not remain external information; it germinates, grows, and bears fruit in daily life. Parabolic Echoes Ἔμφυτος draws a line back to Jesus’ seed imagery (Matthew 13:1–23; Mark 4:1–20; Luke 8:4–15). The seed is the word; the soil is the heart. James speaks to the heart that has already received the seed. The crop must now be cultivated by putting away sin and exercising meekness, conditions parallel to good soil in the parable. Doctrinal Significance 1. Regeneration: The word is the Spirit’s instrument in the new birth (1 Peter 1:23). Once implanted, it remains the believer’s life-source. Historical Reflection • Early Fathers: Origen saw the implanted word as the seed of divine nature, calling believers to constant cultivation through prayer and obedience. Ministry Implications Preaching: Faithful exposition scatters seed, yet pastors rely on the Spirit to implant it. Catechesis and Discipleship: Memorization and meditation nurture the implanted word, moving it from seed to fruit. Counseling: Heart change is effected not by human wisdom but by reminding believers of what God has already planted. Mission: Evangelism rests on confidence that the same word that created life in us will take root in others (Isaiah 55:10–11). Practical Application Remove hindrances: Confession and repentance clear the soil. Receive with meekness: Approach Scripture as obedient learners, not critics. Retain through meditation: Chewing the word prevents spiritual malnourishment (Joshua 1:8). Respond in obedience: Doing the word waters the seed, ensuring growth. Related Imagery and Themes • Grafting (Romans 11:17–24) – union leading to shared life. Summary Ἔμφυτος spotlights the wonder of divine revelation made resident within redeemed humanity. It affirms that Scripture, once lodged in the heart by the Spirit, possesses enduring, saving, and transforming power. In every generation the church’s task is to cultivate what God has planted, confident that His implanted word cannot fail to bear fruit. Forms and Transliterations εμφυτον έμφυτον ἔμφυτον emphuton emphyton émphytonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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