Lexical Summary kritikos: Discerning, able to judge Original Word: κριτικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance able to judgeFrom krites; decisive ("critical"), i.e. Discriminative -- discerner. see GREEK krites NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom krinó Definition critical NASB Translation able to judge (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2924: κριτικόςκριτικός, κριτικη, κριτικον (κρίνω), relating to judging, fit for judging, skilled in judging (Plato, Plutarch, Lucian, others): with the genitive of the object, ἐνθυμήσεων καί ἐννοιῶν καρδίας, tracing out and passing judgment on the thoughts of the mind, Hebrews 4:12. Topical Lexicon Concept and Scope Strong’s Greek 2924 appears once in the New Testament, functioning as an adjective that portrays the discerning capacity of the word of God. Rather than describing human criticism, it speaks of the divine Word’s ability to sift, evaluate, and render judgment upon the innermost life of every person. Biblical Occurrence and Context Hebrews 4:12 places the term within a sweeping declaration of Scripture’s vitality and penetrative power: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. Set in an exhortation on entering God’s rest, the verse warns professing believers not merely to hear the message but to submit to its searching gaze. Theological Implications 1. Divine Omniscience Manifested: The Word embodies God’s perfect insight (Psalm 139:23-24; Revelation 2:23). Where human perception is limited, Scripture unfailingly exposes motives and desires. Historical Background In Hellenistic culture, related terms described a judge who separated truth from falsehood in a legal contest. The writer of Hebrews adapts that imagery, portraying Scripture as the supreme arbiter before whom every thought is laid bare. Early Church Fathers seized upon this picture: Origen applied it to the soul’s purification, while Chrysostom emphasized pastoral use in rebuking sin. Relationship to Other Biblical Themes Practical Application in Ministry 1. Expository Preaching: Faithful exposition invites the congregation to stand before Scripture’s searching authority, fostering genuine repentance and transformation. Christological Focus Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word (John 1:1-14); therefore, the written Word’s discerning work carries the very presence and authority of Christ. As Hebrews later confirms, “There is no creature hidden from His sight” (Hebrews 4:13). Submission to Scripture is thus submission to the Lord Himself. Contemporary Relevance Modern culture often elevates subjective feeling above objective truth. The rarity of Strong’s 2924 underscores its uniqueness: Scripture alone possesses the rightful prerogative to critique the human heart. Churches and individual believers remain healthiest when they welcome that critique, allowing the Word to expose sin, affirm righteousness, and guide into the rest that only Christ provides. Forms and Transliterations εκρότησαν εκρότησας κριτικος κριτικός κριτικὸς κρόκη κρόκην κρόκης κροκόδειλος κρόκος κρόκω κρόμμυα κροσσούς κροσσών κροσσωτά κροσσωτοίς κροτάφοις κρόταφον κροταφω κροτήσατε κροτήσει κρότησον κροτήσουσι κροτήσω kritikos kritikòsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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