Lexical Summary kléronomia: Inheritance Original Word: κληρονομία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance inheritance. From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. (concretely) a patrimony or (genitive case) a possession -- inheritance. see GREEK kleronomos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2817 klēronomía (a feminine noun derived from 2818 /klēronómos, "an heir, apportioned inheritance by the casting of lots") – inheritance, awarded by divine lot, i.e. the portion God assigns (selects) (cf. the cognate used in Eph 1:11, Gk text). See 2818 (klēronomos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kléronomos Definition an inheritance NASB Translation inheritance (14). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2817: κληρονομίακληρονομία, κληρονομίας, ἡ (κληρονόμος), the Sept. time and again for נַחֲלָה, several times for יְרֵשָׁה, מורָשָׁה, etc.; 1. an inheritance, property received (or to be received) by inheritance, (Isocrates, Demosthenes, Aristotle): Matthew 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 12:13; Luke 20:14. 2. what is given to one as a possession ((cf. English inheritance); see κληρονομέω, 2): διδόναι τί τίνι κληρονομίαν, Acts 7:5; λαμβάνειν τί εἰς κληρονομίαν, Hebrews 11:8 ((cf. Aristotle, eth. Nic. 7, 14, p. 1153b, 33)). Agreeably to the O. T. usage, which employs נַחֲלָה now of the portion of the holy land allotted to each of the several tribes (Joshua 13:23, 28, etc.), now of the whole territory given to Israel for a possession (Deuteronomy 4:38; Deuteronomy 15:4, etc. — and nothing appeared to the Israelites more desirable than the quiet, prosperous, permanent possession of this land, see κληρονομέω, 2), the noun κληρονομία, lifted to a loftier sense in the N. T., is used to denote a. "the eternal blessedness in the consummated kingdom of God which is to be expected after the visible return of Christ": Galatians 3:18; Colossians 3:24 (τῆς κληρονομίας, genitive of apposition (Winer's Grammar, § 59, 8 a.)); Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4; ἡμῶν, destined for us, Ephesians 1:14; τοῦ Θεοῦ, given by God, 18. b. the share which an individual will have in that eternal blessedness: Acts 20:32; Ephesians 5:5. Strong’s 2817 captures the biblical idea of an allotted portion granted by rightful claim. While earthly inheritances can be transferred, seized, or disputed, Scripture elevates the term to depict the secure, gracious bequest of God to His people—material in Israel’s history, spiritual and eternal in the gospel. Old Testament Background Israel’s land allotment (Numbers 26–34) and the Levitical heritage of Yahweh Himself (Numbers 18:20) supply the matrix for New Testament usage. Abraham received “no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground” (Acts 7:5), yet trusted the promise, illustrating that divine inheritance is grounded in covenant, not immediate possession. Occurrences in the Gospels 1. Parable of the Vineyard Tenants (Matthew 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 20:14) The murderous tenants reveal humanity’s rebellion: “Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” Their presumption exposes the folly of seeking the kingdom without submission to the Son. The rejected heir becomes the cornerstone; inheritance remains with Him and those united to Him. 2. Family Dispute over Property (Luke 12:13) A plea for arbitration prompts Jesus to warn against greed, demonstrating that material inheritance cannot define life or guarantee security (Luke 12:15-21). Pauline Theology of Grace and Inheritance 1. Promise versus Law (Galatians 3:18) “If the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise.” Paul anchors believers’ heritage in God’s unilateral covenant with Abraham, fulfilled in Christ, nullifying any claim based on performance. 2. Down Payment and Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:14, 1:18) The Holy Spirit is “the pledge of our inheritance,” while prayer seeks that believers grasp “the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.” Assurance and illumination flow from the same Spirit. 3. Ethical Exclusion (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:24) Persisting in immorality forfeits any share “in the kingdom of Christ and of God,” whereas faithful service “will receive an inheritance from the Lord.” Inheritance is both a privilege and a moral boundary. 4. Pastoral Confidence (Acts 20:32) Paul commits the Ephesian elders “to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.” Ministry effectiveness rests on Scripture’s power to secure the saints’ heritage. Hebrews and 1 Peter: Eschatological Security 1. Eternal Mediated Inheritance (Hebrews 9:15) Christ’s death inaugurates the new covenant “so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance,” highlighting substitutionary atonement as the legal basis for believers’ future possession. 2. Pilgrim Perspective (Hebrews 11:8) Abraham “obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going,” modeling faith that looks beyond present sight to coming reward. 3. Imperishable Safekeeping (1 Peter 1:4) Believers are born again “into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven.” Divine reservation makes loss impossible; the inheritance is as secure as God’s throne. Ethical Implications Because inheritance is gift, pride is excluded. Because inheritance is holy, impurity is excluded. Saints pursue righteousness not to earn but to express their coming estate. Stewardship of earthly resources is shaped by awareness that true riches lie ahead. Pastoral Applications • Preaching centers on Christ, the Heir, through whom all promises become “Yes.” Summary of New Testament Occurrences Matthew 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 20:14; Luke 12:13; Acts 7:5; Acts 20:32; Galatians 3:18; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 11:8; 1 Peter 1:4—all underscore that God’s inheritance is promised in grace, secured by Christ, certified by the Spirit, and manifested in holy living until its full revelation in the age to come. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 21:38 N-AFSGRK: σχῶμεν τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ NAS: him and seize his inheritance.' KJV: let us seize on his inheritance. INT: gain possession of the inheritance of him Mark 12:7 N-NFS Luke 12:13 N-AFS Luke 20:14 N-NFS Acts 7:5 N-AFS Acts 20:32 N-AFS Galatians 3:18 N-NFS Ephesians 1:14 N-GFS Ephesians 1:18 N-GFS Ephesians 5:5 N-AFS Colossians 3:24 N-GFS Hebrews 9:15 N-GFS Hebrews 11:8 N-AFS 1 Peter 1:4 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2817 |
    |