Lexical Summary exóthen: outside, from without, outwardly Original Word: ἔξωθεν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance outside, outward, from without. From exo; external(-ly) -- out(-side, -ward, - wardly), (from) without. see GREEK exo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom exó Definition from without NASB Translation external (1), outside (9), outwardly (1), without (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1855: ἔξωθενἔξωθεν, adverb (from ἔξω, opposed to ἔσωθεν from ἔσω; cf. ἄνωθεν, πόρρωθεν), from without, outward (cf. Winer's Grammar, 472 (440)); 1. adverbially: (outwardly), Matthew 23:27; Mark 7:18; 2 Corinthians 7:5; τό ἔξωθεν, the outside, the exterior, Matthew 23:25; Luke 11:39f; ἐκβάλλειν ἔξωθεν (for R G ἔξω), Revelation 11:2b L T Tr WH; οἱ ἔξωθεν for οἱ ἔξω, those who do not belong to the Christian church, 1 Timothy 3:7; (cf. Mark 4:11 WH marginal reading and under the word ἔξω, 1 a.); ὁ ἔξωθεν κόσμος the outward adorning, 1 Peter 3:3. 2. as a preposition with the genitive (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6): Mark 7:15; Revelation 11:2a (Rbez elz G L T Tr WH; Strong’s Greek 1855 (ἔξωθεν, exōthen) directs the reader’s attention to what lies “outside,” whether spatially, socially, or spiritually. Across the New Testament its thirteen occurrences form a cohesive testimony: God measures integrity from the inside out, yet He also alerts believers to very real pressures coming from without. Background in Jewish Thought First-century Judaism emphasized ritual boundaries—clean versus unclean, Israel versus the nations, sanctuary versus courtyard. Into this framework Jesus and the apostles insert ἔξωθεν to challenge superficial holiness and to remind the covenant people that true defilement and true righteousness are matters of the heart. Usage in the Gospels: Exposing Hypocrisy In the climactic woes of Matthew 23 and Luke 11, Jesus twice contrasts the polished appearance of religious leaders with their inner corruption: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25; cf. 23:27-28; Luke 11:39-40). Here ἔξωθεν unmasks a deadly inversion: outward purity masking inward rot. A disciple may deceive onlookers, but never the Searcher of hearts (Jeremiah 17:10). The Lord thus calls His followers to first cleanse the inside; outer conduct then becomes an honest reflection of inner grace. Ceremonial Purity Re-evaluated: Mark 7 Jesus’ watershed teaching on food laws turns on the same word: “Nothing that enters a man from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of him are what defile him” (Mark 7:15; cf. 7:18). By relocating the source of uncleanness from external diet to internal desire, He anticipates the new-covenant promise of a heart sprinkled clean (Hebrews 10:22). ἔξωθεν therefore marks the fading of ritual shadows and the dawn of ethical reality. Pauline Experience: Conflicts Without, Fears Within “For when we arrived in Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within” (2 Corinthians 7:5). Paul’s pairing of ἔξωθεν with “fears within” illustrates balanced self-awareness. Ministry faces pressures from the hostile world even while grappling with inner anxieties. Yet the same paragraph records God’s comfort through Titus (7:6-7), demonstrating that external turmoil cannot extinguish divine consolation. Church Leadership and Public Testimony Elders must possess “a good reputation with outsiders” (1 Timothy 3:7). ἔξωθεν widens the circle of accountability: the watching world may oppose Christian doctrine, but it should have no legitimate charge against Christian character. Moral credibility strengthens evangelism and shields leaders from the devil’s snare. Adornment and True Beauty Peter counsels wives: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes” (1 Peter 3:3). ἔξωθεν signals the fleeting nature of surface glamour. Inner imperishable qualities—“the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (3:4)—reflect Christ Himself and exert a sanctifying influence on marriage. Eschatological Horizons Revelation employs ἔξωθεν in scenes of both mercy and judgment: Theological Synthesis 1. God judges and justifies from the inside out. Ministry Implications • Personal holiness: cultivate heart obedience; let external practices flow from inward renewal. Summary ἔξωθεν confronts every reader with a choice: settle for cosmetic religiosity or pursue the transforming grace that cleanses within and radiates without. In Christ the boundary shifts—no longer a wall of separation but an invitation to enter, be made new, and walk in holiness both inside and out. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 23:25 AdvGRK: καθαρίζετε τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου NAS: For you clean the outside of the cup KJV: ye make clean the outside of the cup INT: you cleanse the outside of the cup Matthew 23:27 Adv Matthew 23:28 Adv Mark 7:15 Adv Mark 7:18 Adv Luke 11:39 Adv Luke 11:40 Adv 2 Corinthians 7:5 Adv 1 Timothy 3:7 Adv 1 Peter 3:3 Adv Revelation 11:2 Adv Revelation 11:2 Adv Revelation 14:20 Adv |
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