Lexical Summary epigeios: Earthly Original Word: ἐπίγειος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance earthly, in earth, terrestrial. From epi and ge; worldly (physically or morally) -- earthly, in earth, terrestrial. see GREEK epi see GREEK ge HELPS Word-studies 1919 epígeios (an adjective, derived from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" and 1093 /gḗ, "the physical earth") – properly, upon the earth, referring to earthly (physical) life – i.e. the physical realities that naturally go with daily life. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and gé Definition of the earth NASB Translation earth (1), earthly (4), earthly things (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1919: ἐπίγειοςἐπίγειος, ἐπιγειον (ἐπί and γῆ), existing upon the earth, earthly, terrestrial: οἰκία, the house we live in on earth, spoken of the body with which we are clothed in this world, 2 Corinthians 5:1; σώματα ἐπίγεια, opposed to ἐπουράνια, 1 Corinthians 15:40; absolutely, οἱ ἐπιγειοι (opposed to οἱ ἐπουράνιοι and οἱ καταχτονιοι), those who are on earth, the inhabitants of the earth, men, Philippians 2:10; τά ἐπίγεια, things done on earth, spoken of the new birth wrought by the Holy Spirit, John 3:12; cf. Knapp, Scripta var. Arg., p. 212f; τά ἐπίγεια φόνειν, to set the mind on the pleasures and good things of earth, Philippians 3:19; σοφία ἐπίγειος (opposed to ἡ ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη), the wisdom of man, liable to error and misleading, James 3:15. (From Plato down; nowhere in the O. T.) Topical Lexicon Overview Designates whatever belongs to or is characterized by the present earth-bound order, especially in deliberate contrast to the heavenly, spiritual, and eternal realm. Occurrences and Contexts • John 3:12 – “If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”. Earthly illustrations (new birth imagery) expose unbelief that would spurn loftier revelation. (1 Corinthians 15:40 contains the word twice, once singular, once plural, reinforcing the contrast.) Theological Themes 1. Temporal versus Eternal Epigeios consistently marks what is passing away (cf. 1 John 2:17). Believers are urged to value the imperishable over the ephemeral. 2. Moral Orientation Earthly can be ethically negative (Philippians 3:19; James 3:15), pointing to a value system detached from God’s rule. 3. Christological Supremacy Philippians 2:10 shows the earth-realm under the authority of the exalted Jesus, fulfilling Psalm 8:6 and guaranteeing the final reconciliation of all things. 4. Eschatological Hope Paul’s usage in 1 Corinthians 15 and 2 Corinthians 5 grounds the hope of bodily resurrection: the earthly body is seed-form, the heavenly body harvest. Historical Reception • Patristic writers employed the term against Gnostic dualism, defending the resurrection of the body. Pastoral Applications • Discipleship must lift minds from earthly fixation to heavenly realities (Colossians 3:1-2). Related Vocabulary Epouranios (Strong’s 2032, “heavenly”) forms the deliberate antonym, creating the recurring biblical polarity of earth and heaven. Summary Strong’s 1919 underscores the earth as the present arena of life—good yet transient, fallen yet redeemable. Scripture employs the word to expose misplaced confidence, to warn against sensual preoccupation, and to anchor hope in the superior, eternal order secured by the risen Christ. Forms and Transliterations επιγεια επίγεια ἐπίγεια επιγειος επίγειος ἐπίγειος επιγειων επιγείων ἐπιγείων επιγελάσομαι επιγεμίζοντας epigeia epígeia epigeion epigeiōn epigeíon epigeíōn epigeios epígeiosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 3:12 Adj-ANPGRK: εἰ τὰ ἐπίγεια εἶπον ὑμῖν NAS: I told you earthly things and you do not believe, KJV: you earthly things, and INT: If the things earthly I said to you 1 Corinthians 15:40 Adj-NNP 1 Corinthians 15:40 Adj-GNP 2 Corinthians 5:1 Adj-NFS Philippians 2:10 Adj-GNP Philippians 3:19 Adj-ANP James 3:15 Adj-NFS Strong's Greek 1919 |
    |