Lexical Summary aléthinos: True, genuine, real Original Word: ἀληθινός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance true.From alethes; truthful -- true. see GREEK alethes HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 228 alēthinós (an adjective, derived from the other adjective of the same root/alēth-, 227 /alēthḗs, "true to fact") – properly, true (real), emphasizing the organic connection (authentic unity) between what is true (228 /alēthinós) and its source or origin (note the -inos suffix). See 225 (alētheia). 228 /alēthinós ("substantially true") refers to what is essentially true – connecting (visible) fact to its underlying reality. 228 (alēthinós) then emphasizes the integrity of what is true, down to its inner make-up (reality, "true inside and out"). G. E. Ladd, "The Johannine use of 228 (alēthinós) sometimes carries something of the Greek meaning of 'real,' but it is the real because it is the full revelation of God's faithfulness" (The Pattern of New Testament Truth, 81). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aléthés Definition true. NASB Translation sincere (1), true (26), true one (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 228: ἀληθινόςἀληθινός, (ή, (frequent in secular writings from Plato down; (twenty-three times in John's writings; only five (according to Lachmann six) times in the rest of the N. T.)); 1. that which has not only the name and semblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name (Tittmann, p. 155; ("particularly applied to express that which is all that it pretends to be, for instance, pure gold as opposed to adulterated metal" Donaldson, New Crat. § 258; see, at length, Trench, § viii.)), in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real and true, genuine; a. opposed to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated, pretended: Θεός (אֱמֶת אֱלֹהַי, 2 Chronicles 15:3), 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 9:14 Lachmann; John 17:3; 1 John 5:20. (ἀληθινοί φίλοι, Demosthenes, Philippians 3, p. 113, 27.) b. it contrasts realities with their semblances: σκηνή, Hebrews 8:2; the sanctuary, Hebrews 9:24. (ὁ ἵππος contrasted with ὁ ἐν τῇ εἰκόνι, Aelian v. h. 2, 3.) c. opposed to what is imperfect, defective, frail, uncertain: John 4:23, 37; John 7:28; used without adjunct of Jesus as the true Messiah, Revelation 3:7; φῶς, John 1:9; 1 John 2:8; κρίσις, John 8:16 (L T Tr WH; Isaiah 59:4); κρίσεις, Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:2; ἄρτος, as nourishing the soul unto life everlasting, John 6:32; ἄμπελος, John 15:1; μαρτυρία John 19:35; μάρτυς, Revelation 3:14; δεσπότης, Revelation 6:10; ὁδοί, Revelation 15:3; coupled with πιστός, Revelation 3:14; Revelation 19:11; substantively, τό ἀληθινόν the genuine, real good, opposed to external riches, Luke 16:11 ((οἷς μέν γάρ ἀληθινός πλοῦτος οὐρανῷ, Philo de praem, et poen. § 17, p. 425, Mang. edition; cf. Wetstein (1752) on Luke, the passage cited); ά᾿θληται, Polybius 1, 6, 6). 2. equivalent to ἀληθής, true, veracious, sincere, (often so in the Sept.): καρδία, Hebrews 10:22 (μετ' ἀληθείας ἐν καρδία ἀληθινή, Isaiah 38:3); λόγοι, Rev. ( The adjective ἀληθινός designates that which is genuine, authentic, and corresponds with ultimate reality. While ἀληθής stresses factual accuracy, ἀληθινός highlights what is real in its very nature, often by contrast with what is shadow, symbol, or counterfeit. The True God 1 Thessalonians 1:9 and 1 John 5:20 set ἀληθινός at the center of biblical theology by calling the Father “the true God.” Idols are exposed as powerless constructs; only the Creator is genuine, life-giving Deity. The same verse in 1 John identifies Jesus Christ as the full revelatory means by which believers “are in the true One,” intertwining Christology and monotheism. Christ as the Embodiment of Truth The Lord repeatedly applies ἀληθινός to Himself. John 15:1: “I am the true vine.” John 6:32: “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.” John 7:28: “He who sent Me is true.” Revelation 3:7 and 19:11 describe Him as “holy and true” and “called Faithful and True.” In every case the adjective secures His absolute reliability and exposes the inadequacy of all substitutes—whether Israel as the vine, manna as provisional bread, or earthly rulers claiming authority. True Worshipers John 4:23 announces that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth,” a reality further sealed in Revelation 15:3 and 19:2 where God’s “righteous and true” judgments provoke heavenly worship. The word redirects devotion from physical locations and ritual prescriptions to spiritual authenticity rooted in the gospel. Genuine Witness and Testimony John 19:35 affirms the eyewitness account of the crucifixion as “true,” showing that apostolic testimony rests on verifiable reality, not myth. John 8:16 declares Christ’s judgment “true” because it is rendered in concert with the Father, underscoring unity within the Godhead as the guarantor of perfect discernment. The True Tabernacle and Heavenly Realities Hebrews leverages ἀληθινός to distinguish shadow from substance. Jesus ministers in “the true tabernacle” (Hebrews 8:2); entrance is secured by “a true heart” (Hebrews 10:22); and Christ appears before God on our behalf, not in “copies but in the true realities” (Hebrews 9:24). Earthly sanctuary, sacrifices, and priesthood are affirmed as typological, pointing to the authentic priestly work of the ascended Christ. True Riches versus Worldly Mammon Luke 16:11 contrasts “true riches” with “unrighteous wealth,” teaching that stewardship over temporal resources is training for participation in the eternal treasures of the kingdom. Trustworthy Prophetic Word Revelation repeatedly labels divine utterances as “faithful and true” (19:9; 21:5; 22:6). The phrase guarantees that every promise—from the marriage supper of the Lamb to the new creation—will be fulfilled. The martyrs’ plea in Revelation 6:10 rests on the same confidence: “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood?” God’s truth is not abstract but active, delivering justice in history and eternity. Pastoral and Practical Significance 1. Assurance: Believers anchor faith in a Lord whose character and word are intrinsically true; this dispels doubt and undergirds perseverance. Summary Strong’s Greek 228 highlights the Bible’s sweeping claim that God, His Christ, His word, His worship, and His ultimate kingdom are the only realities of total authenticity. All else is derivative, preparatory, or false. The church’s life and mission therefore aim to proclaim, embody, and await the ἀληθινός. Englishman's Concordance Luke 16:11 Adj-ANSGRK: ἐγένεσθε τὸ ἀληθινὸν τίς ὑμῖν NAS: will entrust the TRUE [riches] to you? KJV: to your trust the true [riches]? INT: have been the true [riches] who to you John 1:9 Adj-NNS John 4:23 Adj-NMP John 4:37 Adj-NMS John 6:32 Adj-AMS John 7:28 Adj-NMS John 8:16 Adj-NFS John 15:1 Adj-NFS John 17:3 Adj-AMS John 19:35 Adj-NFS 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Adj-DMS Hebrews 8:2 Adj-GFS Hebrews 9:24 Adj-GNP Hebrews 10:22 Adj-GFS 1 John 2:8 Adj-NNS 1 John 5:20 Adj-AMS 1 John 5:20 Adj-DMS 1 John 5:20 Adj-NMS Revelation 3:7 Adj-NMS Revelation 3:14 Adj-NMS Revelation 6:10 Adj-NMS Revelation 15:3 Adj-NFP Revelation 16:7 Adj-NFP Revelation 19:2 Adj-NFP Revelation 19:9 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 228 |
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