Lexical Summary entolé: Commandment, order, instruction Original Word: ἐντολή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance commandment, precept. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription -- commandment, precept. see GREEK entellomai HELPS Word-studies 1785 entolḗ (a feminine noun derived from 1722 /en, "in," which intensifies 5056 /télos, "reach the end, consummation") – properly, "in the end," focusing on the end-result (objective) of a command. [1785 /entolḗ (a feminine noun) highlights the nature of a specific order (charge), i.e. its "in-context objective."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom entellomai Definition an injunction, order, command NASB Translation command (2), commanded* (1), commandment (38), commandments (23), instructions (1), orders (1), requirement (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1785: ἐντολήἐντολή, ἐντολῆς, ἡ (ἐντέλλω or ἐντέλλομαι, which see), from Pindar and Herodotus down; the Sept. often for מִצְוָה, in the Psalms the plural ἐντολαί also for פִּקְּוּדִים; an order, command, charge, precept; 1. universally, a charge, injunction: Luke 15:29; ἐντολήν λαμβάνειν παρά τίνος, John 10:18; πρός τινα, Acts 17:15; λαβεῖν ἐντολάς περί τίνος, Colossians 4:10; that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office, ἐντολήν ἔχειν followed by infinitive, Hebrews 7:5; ἐντολήν διδόναι τίνι, John 14:31 L Tr WH; with τί εἴπῃ added, of Christ, whom God commanded what to teach to men, John 12:49; ἡ ἐντολή αὐτοῦ, of God, respecting the same thing, John 12:50. 2. a commandment, i. e. a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done; a. universally, ἐντολή σαρκικῇ (σαρκίνη G L T Tr WH), a precept relating to lineage, Hebrews 7:16; of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood, Hebrews 7:18; of a magistrate's order or edict: ἐντολήν διδόναι, ἵνα, John 11:57. b. ethically; α. used of the commandments of the Mosaic law: ἡ ἐντολή τοῦ Θεοῦ, what God prescribes in the law of Moses, Matthew 15:3 (and R G in Matthew 15:6); Mark 7:8f; especially of particular precepts of this law as distinguished from ὁ νόμος (the law) their body or sum: Matthew 22:36, 38; Mark 10:5; Mark 12:28ff; Romans 7:8-13; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 6:2; Hebrews 9:19; κατά τήν ἐντολήν, according to the precept of the law, Luke 23:56; plural, Matthew 4:19); ἐντολή denotes any authoritative directive issued by God or, by extension, by a legitimate messenger of God. While the term can describe civil or angelic orders (Acts 17:15; John 10:18), its New Testament weight lies in moral and redemptive instruction stemming from the divine will. In the Synoptics it often parallels “Law” (νόμος) yet remains more specific, highlighting discrete mandates; in John and the Johannine Letters it points to the singular, all-embracing charge of faith and love that flows from Christ. Old Testament Backdrop The Septuagint uses ἐντολή for Hebrew מִצְוָה (mitzvah), stressing that Israel’s covenant life pivoted on obedience. Deuteronomy 6–8 repeatedly binds blessing to “keeping His commandments.” Against that backdrop the New Testament presentation of ἐντολή shows both continuity (God still commands) and fulfillment (commandments reach their telos in Christ). Jesus Christ and the Fulfillment of the Commandments Jesus neither abolishes nor lowers the divine standard. “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). Yet He reveals their heart-intent, critiquing traditions that “set aside the commandment of God for the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8–9). At the cross He fulfills the righteous requirement of the Law (Romans 8:3–4) and becomes Himself the locus of obedience: “This commandment I received from My Father” (John 10:18). The Commandment of Love All ἐντολαί converge in two statements: “You shall love the Lord your God” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Jesus intensifies the second: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you” (John 13:34). The measure is sacrificial, cross-shaped love; the arena is the community of believers, radiating outward to the world. Apostolic Teaching on Commandments Paul affirms the moral content of the Decalogue—“You shall not commit adultery… and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9)—while refusing legalism as a means of justification. John, writing later, makes obedience the touchstone of authentic faith: “By this we know that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). Both apostles unite faith and love: “This is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (1 John 3:23). Commandments and Salvation Scripture never presents obedience as meriting salvation, yet neither does it permit a faith devoid of obedience. Grace produces “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5). Thus ἐντολή functions diagnostically—revealing sin when broken (Romans 7:10–13) and authenticating redemption when kept by Spirit-enabled believers (1 John 5:3). Commandments and Discipleship Jesus ties discipleship to command-keeping intimacy: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15); “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:10). The Great Commission culminates in “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Ministry therefore includes articulate instruction, modeling, and Spirit-empowered practice. Commandments, Law and Grace Ephesians 2:15 speaks of Christ abolishing “in His flesh the law of commandments in ordinances,” referring to the dividing ceremonial code, not the moral core. Hebrews contrasts a “former commandment set aside because of its weakness” (Hebrews 7:18) with the superior priesthood of Christ, yet still calls believers to obey God’s voice (Hebrews 3:7–4:13). The new covenant internalizes the ἐντολαί: written on hearts, animated by the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3). Commandments of Men versus Commandments of God Titus 1:14 warns against “Jewish myths and the commandments of men who turn away from the truth,” echoing Jesus’ earlier censure. Every age must discern between man-made regulations masquerading as divine and the genuine ἐντολή revealed in Scripture. Eschatological and Covenant Dimensions Revelation portrays a remnant “who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). Covenant loyalty, expressed through persevering obedience, is integral to end-time faithfulness and witness. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Preaching: Exposit individual commandments in Christ-centered light, stressing both impossibility without grace and necessity as fruit of grace. Key Texts Matthew 22:36–40; John 13:34–35; John 14:15, 21; John 15:10–12; Romans 7:10–13; Romans 13:8–10; 1 John 2:3–8; 1 John 3:22–24; 1 John 5:2–3; Revelation 14:12. Summary ἐντολή embodies God’s authoritative will, fulfilled in Christ, internalized by the Spirit, and manifested in love. Saved by grace alone, believers demonstrate genuine knowledge of God by gladly keeping His commandments, anticipating the day when obedience will be perfect and unending. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:19 N-GFPGRK: μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν NAS: of these commandments, and teaches KJV: least commandments, and INT: one of the commandments of these the Matthew 15:3 N-AFS Matthew 19:17 N-AFP Matthew 22:36 N-NFS Matthew 22:38 N-NFS Matthew 22:40 N-DFP Mark 7:8 N-AFS Mark 7:9 N-AFS Mark 10:5 N-AFS Mark 10:19 N-AFP Mark 12:28 N-NFS Mark 12:31 N-NFS Luke 1:6 N-DFP Luke 15:29 N-AFS Luke 18:20 N-AFP Luke 23:56 N-AFS John 10:18 N-AFS John 11:57 N-AFP John 12:49 N-AFS John 12:50 N-NFS John 13:34 N-AFS John 14:15 N-AFP John 14:21 N-AFP John 15:10 N-AFP John 15:10 N-AFP Strong's Greek 1785 |
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