Lexical Summary hetairos: Companion, friend, comrade Original Word: ἑταῖρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance companion, friend. From etes (a clansman); a comrade -- fellow, friend. HELPS Word-studies 2083 hetaíros – properly, a companion (normally an imposter), posing to be a comrade but in reality only has his own interests in mind. 2083 /hetaíros ("supposed friend") suggests someone viewed (associated) as a friend, but is actually an imposter acting for self-gain. [Note the textual confusion about this term with 2087 /héteros at Mt 11:16.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom etés (clansman, cousin) Definition a companion NASB Translation friend (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2083: ἑταῖροςἑταῖρος, ἑταίρου, ὁ (from Homer down), the Sept. רֵעַ ; a comrade, mate, partner (A. V. fellow): Matthew 11:16 (where T Tr WH τοῖς ἑτέροις (which see 1 b., and cf. WH. Introductory § 404)); vocative in kindly address, friend (my good friend): Matthew 20:13; Matthew 22:12; Matthew 26:50. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term Greek 2083 (ἑταῖρος) appears only three times in the New Testament, all on the lips of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew. Although the word can connote warm camaraderie, each Gospel setting places it on the edge of rebuke. The Lord employs it not to affirm fellowship but to expose a discrepancy between appearance and reality. Occurrences in Matthew • Matthew 20:13 – Addressed to a laborer who begrudges the master’s generosity: “Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?”. Contrast Between Outward Fellowship and Heart Reality In every instance the addressee enjoys some outward privilege—hired laborer, invited guest, trusted disciple—yet harbors an inner disloyalty or presumption. The term thereby highlights the danger of superficial association with the kingdom while resisting its ethic of grace and obedience. Jesus’ choice of address rebukes hypocrisy without open denunciation, giving space for self-examination and repentance. Historical Background Classical Greek employed ἑταῖρος for soldiers in the Companion cavalry of Alexander or members of civic clubs, stressing comradeship within a shared mission. By the first century the word could still carry honorable nuance, but it could also serve ironically when genuine solidarity had been breached. Matthew’s Gospel captures that ironic edge, sharpening the moral tension within each narrative. Lessons for Congregational Life 1. Covenant Membership: Baptism, church attendance, or office-holding, like labor in the vineyard, do not guarantee right standing if the heart resents the Master’s grace (Matthew 20:13–15). Christological Implications By calling Judas “Friend,” Jesus manifests foreknowledge and sovereign restraint. He neither alters the redemptive plan nor abdicates love toward His enemy (cf. Matthew 5:44). The term underscores the paradox that the Shepherd lays down His life even for one who strikes Him (Zechariah 13:7; John 10:17–18). Eschatological Warnings The vineyard parable concludes with “the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16). The wedding banquet ends in outer darkness (Matthew 22:13). Judas departs into his own night (John 13:30). Each scene anticipates the final sorting at Christ’s return, where nominal affiliation will not suffice (Matthew 7:21–23). Pastoral Application • Examine motives: Am I serving Christ for reward or from gratitude? Greek 2083 thus moves from mere vocabulary to penetrating diagnosis, inviting every disciple to replace hollow companionship with wholehearted devotion to the Master. Forms and Transliterations Εταιρε εταίρε Ἑταῖρε εταίροι εταίροις εταίρος εταίρου εταίρους εταίρων έτασίν έτασις ετασμοίς Etaire Hetaire HetaîreLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 20:13 N-VMSGRK: αὐτῶν εἶπεν Ἑταῖρε οὐκ ἀδικῶ NAS: to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing KJV: of them, and said, Friend, I do thee INT: of them he said Friend not I do wrong Matthew 22:12 N-VMS Matthew 26:50 N-VMS |
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