Lexical Summary esóteros: Inner, interior Original Word: ἐσώτερος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance inner, within. Comparative of eso; interior -- inner, within. see GREEK eso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincptv. of esó Definition inner NASB Translation inner (1), within (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2082: ἐσώτεροςἐσώτερος, ἐσωτέρᾳ, ἐσώτερον (comparative of ἔσω (cf. Buttmann, 28 (24f))), inner: Acts 16:24; τό ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος, the inner space which is behind the veil, i. e. the shrine, the Holy of holies, said of heaven by a figurative expression drawn from the earthly temple, Hebrews 6:19. Topical Lexicon Semantic Focus The term conveys the idea of something situated farther inside, deeper within a structure or sphere. In both New Testament occurrences it functions spatially, yet each context opens wider theological vistas—one in a prison, the other in the heavenly sanctuary. Scriptural Occurrences 1. Acts 16:24: A Philippian jailer “put them into the inner cell”. Historical Setting • Philippi’s Roman jail archeology confirms multiple concentric chambers, underscoring the “inner cell” as the most secure and bleak portion, reserved for high–risk inmates. Theological Significance Acts 16 highlights the contrast between human confinement and divine liberation. The apostolic praise that shook open prison doors dramatizes the gospel’s power to penetrate the deepest strongholds. Hebrews 6 shifts the focus from earthly to heavenly architecture. Hope, personified in the risen Christ, has already reached the ultimate “inside” of God’s presence. The word therefore binds the narrative of redemption: from the darkest dungeon floor to the highest throne room, nothing lies beyond Christ’s reach. Typological Connections • Inner Cell → Outer Chains Broken: anticipates the greater emancipation of souls. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Evangelism in Hostile Contexts: Acts 16 authorizes confident witness even when culture drives the gospel “further inside” hostile spaces. Homiletical Insights • “From the inner prison to the inner Presence” forms a compelling sermon arc, tracing the word’s twofold usage. Eschatological Outlook What is now spiritually “inner” will one day be visibly manifest. The saints will not merely hope behind the veil; they will dwell in the unveiled glory, the innermost place enlarged to encompass the renewed creation. Summary Strong’s 2082 spotlights God’s pattern of moving His people from outer restrictions to inner realities. Whether breaking chains in a Macedonian dungeon or granting access to the heavenly Holy of Holies, the Lord proves that His saving reach always extends to the deepest place. Forms and Transliterations εσωτέρα εσωτεραν εσωτέραν ἐσωτέραν εσωτέρας εσωτερον εσώτερον ἐσώτερον εσωτέρου εσωτέρω εσωτέρων ετάζων εταίρας εταιρίαν ετάσεις ετάσητε ετασόν ήτασε ήτασέ ήτασεν ητάσθη esoteran esotéran esōteran esōtéran esoteron esōteron esṓteronLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 16:24 Adj-AFSGRK: εἰς τὴν ἐσωτέραν φυλακὴν καὶ NAS: threw them into the inner prison KJV: them into the inner prison, and INT: into the inner prison and Hebrews 6:19 Adj-ANS Strong's Greek 2082 |
    |