Lexical Summary kreittón or kreissón: better, better things, greater Original Word: κρείττων or κρείσσων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance best, better. Comparative of a derivative of kratos; stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. Nobler -- best, better. see GREEK kratos HELPS Word-studies 2909 kreíttōn (the comparative form of 2904 /krátos, "dominion") – what is better because more fully developed, i.e. in reaching the needed dominion (mastery, dominance); "better" after exerting the power needed to "plant down God's flag of victory." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincptv. of the same as kratistos Definition better NASB Translation better (17), better things (1), greater (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2909: κρείττωνκρείττων and (1 Corinthians 7:38; Philippians 1:23; in other places the reading varies between the two forms, especially in 1 Corinthians 7:9 (here T Tr WH L text κρείττων); a. more useful, more serviceable: 1 Corinthians 11:17; 1 Corinthians 12:31 R G; Hebrews 11:40; Hebrews 12:24; with πολλῷ μᾶλλον, added, Philippians 1:23 (cf. μᾶλλον, 1 b.); κρεῖσσον (adverb) ποιεῖν, 1 Corinthians 7:38; κρεῖττον ἐστιν, it is more advantageous, followed by an infinitive, 1 Corinthians 7:9; 2 Peter 2:21 (cf. Buttmann, 217 (188); Winers Grammar, § 41 a. 2 a). b. more excellent: Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 6:9; Hebrews 7:7, 19, 22; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:23; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 11:16, 35; κρεῖττον, followed by an infinitive, 1 Peter 3:17. Strong’s Greek 2909 communicates the notion of what is “better,” “more excellent,” or “superior.” In Scripture it never describes mere incremental improvement; it points to a decisive, God-ordained superiority that demands a response of faith and obedience. Distribution in the New Testament κρείττων appears fifteen times, concentrated in Hebrews (twelve uses), with single occurrences in 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter. Hebrews employs the term to set forth the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ, His priesthood, His covenant, and the believer’s promised inheritance. The Petrine and Pauline uses turn the spotlight on ethical decisions in light of that supremacy. Christological Superiority (Hebrews 1:4) “Thus He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.” The opening affirmation of Hebrews frames every subsequent use of κρείττων: Jesus is the benchmark of all that is better. His person and work transcend every created mediator, validating the finality of His revelation. A Better Priesthood and Covenant (Hebrews 7–9) • Hebrews 7:19: “(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” The Mosaic system, though divinely instituted, functioned as a temporary copy. κρείττων marks the New Covenant as qualitatively superior, grounded in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and His indestructible life. For ministry today, this demands that preaching and pastoral care center on the sufficiency of Christ’s mediation rather than ritualism or moralism. A Superior Inheritance and Country (Hebrews 10–11) • Hebrews 10:34: Believers “accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.” The term anchors hope beyond earthly loss. The Christian’s willingness to forfeit temporal security is sustained by confidence in an unshakeable, better inheritance. The preacher must therefore remind congregations that present trials are interpreted through the lens of the coming kingdom. Ethical Choices: What Is Better Now? • 1 Corinthians 7:9 contrasts celibacy and marriage: “If they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Rightly ordered creation ordinances are superior to ascetic self-reliance. These uses press believers to prioritize God’s evaluative standard over cultural opinion. Ministry application includes counseling toward godly marriage, preparing saints for righteous suffering, and warning against the peril of willful defection. Progressive Revelation and Redemptive History κρείττων illustrates how biblical revelation advances without contradiction. Each step—from shadow to substance—unfolds a redemptive storyline culminating in Christ. The comparative word underscores continuity (God’s unchanging purpose) and escalation (a new, definitive era). Conservative interpretation finds here a safeguard against both Marcionite dismissal of the Old Testament and modern attempts to relativize New Testament claims. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Exalt Christ’s incomparable excellence; do not place Him alongside religious options. Conclusion κρείττων gathers the fullness of the gospel into a single comparative: Jesus Christ and all He brings are infinitely better. The term calls the Church to unwavering confidence, clear proclamation, and joyful obedience until faith becomes sight. Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 7:9 Adj-NNSGRK: ἐγκρατεύονται γαμησάτωσαν κρεῖττον γάρ ἐστιν NAS: let them marry; for it is better to marry KJV: for it is better to marry than INT: they have self-control let them marry better indeed it is Hebrews 1:4 Adj-NMS Hebrews 7:7 Adj-GMS Hebrews 7:19 Adj-GFS Hebrews 7:22 Adj-GFS Hebrews 8:6 Adj-GFS Hebrews 8:6 Adj-DFP Hebrews 9:23 Adj-DFP Hebrews 10:34 Adj-AFS Hebrews 11:16 Adj-GFS Hebrews 11:35 Adj-GFS Hebrews 11:40 Adj-ANS Hebrews 12:24 Adj-ANS 1 Peter 3:17 Adj-NNS 2 Peter 2:21 Adj-NNS Strong's Greek 2909 |
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