1888. epautophóró

Lexical Summary

epautophóró: Caught in the act

Original Word: ἐπαυτοφώρῳ
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: epautophóró
Pronunciation: eh-pow-toh-FOR-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ow-tof-o'-ro)
KJV: in the very act
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G846 (αὐτός - himself) and (the dative case singular of) a derivative of phor (a thief)]

1. in theft itself
2. (by analogy) in actual crime

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

in the very act.

From epi and autos and (the dative case singular of) a derivative of phor (a thief); in theft itself, i.e. (by analogy) in actual crime -- in the very act.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK autos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
variant reading for autophóros, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1888: ἐπαυτοφώρῳ

ἐπαυτοφώρῳ, see αὐτόφωρος, p. 87{b}.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 1888, appearing only once in the New Testament, conveys the idea of an offence detected “on the spot,” with no interval between crime and exposure. The term highlights flagrant wrongdoing that is publicly undeniable, setting the stage for immediate judicial or moral response.

Occurrence in Scripture

John 8:4 – “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.”

In this pivotal scene the scribes and Pharisees confront Jesus with a woman whose sin is incontrovertible. The dramatic force of the term magnifies both the certainty of her guilt and the peril she faces under the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 22:22).

Historical and Legal Background

1. Jewish jurisprudence required two or three witnesses for capital cases (Deuteronomy 17:6); however, an offender seized “in the very act” rendered the crime virtually incontestable, fulfilling the evidentiary standard instantly.
2. Greco-Roman law employed a comparable notion (in flagrante delicto), permitting summary judgment when a culprit was apprehended mid-crime.
3. Public exposure served as a deterrent and affirmed communal righteousness. Within Israel, adultery threatened covenant fidelity, making its open discovery especially scandalous (Proverbs 6:32-33).

Theological Themes and Ministry Applications

1. Law and Grace: The woman’s undeniable guilt sets a stark backdrop for Jesus’ extension of mercy, underscoring that divine grace does not negate righteousness but transcends it (John 1:17).
2. Conviction of Sin: Her exposure anticipates the Spirit’s role in convicting “the world concerning sin” (John 16:8). Genuine repentance often begins when sin can no longer be concealed (Psalm 32:5).
3. Hypocrisy Unmasked: While invoking the Law, the accusers reveal their own lawlessness (John 8:7-9). The episode warns against using others’ visible sins to mask personal guilt (Romans 2:1).

Comparative Scriptural Concepts

• Open Sin vs. Hidden Sin – “Some men’s sins are obvious… others appear later” (1 Timothy 5:24).
• Public Rebuke – “Those who sin should be rebuked before all, so that the rest will stand in fear” (1 Timothy 5:20).
• Restoration – “Brothers, if someone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).

The single use of Strong’s 1888 encapsulates all three dynamics—exposure, potential rebuke, and the possibility of restoration.

Pastoral Implications

• Church Discipline: When sin is manifest and verified, biblical correction must be applied with both firmness and compassion, mirroring Jesus’ “Neither do I condemn you… go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
• Counseling Penitents: Those “caught in the act” often experience acute shame; ministry should aim to lead them from conviction to forgiveness and transformation.
• Guarding Against Spectacle: Leaders must resist exploiting public sin for self-promotion or legalistic display.

Points for Teaching and Preaching

1. Sin’s Exposure Is Certain – Encourage holiness by reminding believers that hidden deeds will one day be revealed (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
2. Mercy Triumphs – Show how Jesus upholds the Law’s morality while granting life-changing grace.
3. Examine the Heart – Challenge listeners to drop their stones of judgment and submit their own lives to the same penetrating light.

The solitary occurrence of Strong’s 1888 thus functions as a powerful lens through which Scripture illuminates the gravity of sin, the necessity of righteous judgment, and the incomparable depth of Christ’s redemptive mercy.

Forms and Transliterations

αυτοφωρω αὐτοφώρῳ επαυτοφώρω autophoro autophōrō autophṓroi autophṓrōi

Englishman's Concordance

John 8:4 Adj-DMS
GRK: κατείληπται ἐπ' αὐτοφώρῳ μοιχευομένη
KJV: in adultery, in the very act.
INT: was taken in the very act committing adultery

Strong's Greek 1888
1 Occurrence

αὐτοφώρῳ — 1 Occ.