Lexical Summary kaitoi: although, though Original Word: καίτοι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance although. From kai and toi; and yet, i.e. Nevertheless -- although. see GREEK kai see GREEK toi HELPS Word-studies 2543 kaítoi (a compound particle from 2532 /kaí, "and, even" and 5104 /toí, "indeed") – even yet, though indeed. 2543 (kaítoi) focuses on the first part of a comparison. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kai and toi Definition and yet NASB Translation although (1), yet (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2543: καίτοικαίτοι (from καί and τοι), conjunction, with a participle (but in classical Greek with a finite verb also (as in Acts below); Krüger, § 56, 13, 2; cf. references under the word καίπερ), and yet, although: Hebrews 4:3 (although the work of creation had been finished long ago, so that the rest spoken of cannot be understood to be that of God himself resting from that work (cf. Kurtz, in the place cited)); (Acts 14:17 L T Tr Wit (but Tr καί τοι)). Topical Lexicon Linguistic Function καίτοι introduces a concessive clause, signaling that something is granted or admitted while a contrasting truth is simultaneously affirmed. The term allows inspired writers to acknowledge observable facts without surrendering the main point that the Spirit intends to stress. By maintaining this tension, Scripture consistently witnesses to both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 14:17 – In addressing a Gentile audience at Lystra, Paul declares, “Yet He has not left Himself without testimony; He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” The conjunction “yet” (καίτοι) concedes the reality of pagan ignorance while asserting God’s ongoing self-revelation through common grace. Historical and Literary Context In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas confront a culture saturated with idolatry. The single-word concession καίτοι provides a rhetorical bridge from natural revelation (rain, harvests) to the call for repentance. In Hebrews 4, the term links the Sabbath rest instituted at creation with the redemptive rest found in Christ, tying first-century believers to the grand sweep of redemptive history. Theological Implications • Common Grace: Acts 14:17 highlights God’s benevolence toward all peoples. καίτοι underscores that divine kindness persists “although” humanity often rejects Him. Ministry Applications • Apologetics: When engaging secular audiences, believers can follow Paul’s pattern—freely concede shared observations (science, beauty, order) yet pivot to proclaim the living God. Integration with Old Testament Themes The Sabbath motif (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11) is intensified in Hebrews 4. By conceding the past completion of creation “and yet” holding forth a future rest, καίτοι weaves creation, covenant, and consummation into a unified testimony of God’s faithfulness. Christological Significance In both passages the term frames a revelation of Christ. Acts 14 anticipates the Incarnation: the God who sends rain ultimately sends His Son. Hebrews 4 presents Jesus as the embodiment of Sabbath rest. The concessive particle protects Christological balance—He is both the One who has already accomplished redemption and the One whose benefits believers must actively receive. Practical Reflections for the Church • Worship: Services can acknowledge worldly suffering “yet” celebrate God’s providence. καίτοι may appear only twice, yet its strategic placement sharpens the edge of apostolic preaching and pastoral exhortation. By learning from its inspired usage, the Church gains a model for faithful witness that is honest about circumstance while unwavering in conviction. Forms and Transliterations καιτοι καίτοι kaitoi kaítoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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