3108. makarismos

Lexical Summary

makarismos: Blessing, happiness, blessedness

Original Word: μακαρισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: makarismos
Pronunciation: mah-kah-rees-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (mak-ar-is-mos')
KJV: blessedness
NASB: blessing, sense of blessing
Word Origin: [from G3106 (μακαρίζω - count blessed)]

1. beatification, i.e. attribution of good fortune

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

blessedness.

From makarizo; beatification, i.e. Attribution of good fortune -- blessedness.

see GREEK makarizo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3108 makarismós (a noun) – blessedness, i.e. the condition (state, declaration) of receiving eternal benefits from God (i.e. that are lasting, with eternal advantage; the Greek root literally means "long, extended.") See 3107 (makarios).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from makarizó
Definition
a declaration of blessedness
NASB Translation
blessing (2), sense of blessing (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3108: μακαρισμός

μακαρισμός, μακαρισμου, ὁ (μακαρίζω), declaration of blessedness: Romans 4:9; Galatians 4:15; λέγειν τόν μακαρισμόν τίνος, to utter a declaration of blessedness upon one, a fuller way of saying μακαρίζειν τινα, to pronounce one blessed, Romans 4:6. (Plato, rep. 9, p. 591 d.; (Aristotle, rhet. 1, 9, 34); Plutarch, mor., p. 471 c.; ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

The term refers to the state of spoken blessedness or a public declaration that a person is truly happy because of divine favor. While closely related to the more familiar adjective translated “blessed,” this noun emphasizes the acknowledgment or celebration of that condition.

Old Testament Background

Hebrew wisdom literature frequently pronounces the righteous “blessed” (for example, Psalm 32:1-2). Paul draws directly on this heritage in Romans 4, citing David’s words to describe the believer’s standing before God apart from works. In the Septuagint the cognate verb regularly marks moments when God’s approval is verbally honored (Genesis 30:13; Psalm 1:1).

Usage in the New Testament

1. Romans 4:6 – Paul argues that David’s outspoken recognition of forgiveness illustrates justification by faith: “David speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.”.
2. Romans 4:9 – The apostle immediately presses the term into the Jew-Gentile debate: “Is this blessedness only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised?”. The public pronouncement of blessedness is thus universal, grounded in faith rather than ritual.
3. Galatians 4:15 – Paul appeals to the Galatians’ former esteem for him: “What then has become of your blessedness?”. Their early joy in gospel liberty is contrasted with the legalistic pressures now threatening them.

Theological Significance

1. Justification by Faith: In Romans 4 the noun underscores that blessedness is not self-achieved; it is declared by God when He imputes righteousness.
2. Universality of Grace: By applying the term to both circumcised and uncircumcised, Paul demonstrates that the gospel blessing transcends ethnic and ceremonial boundaries.
3. Gospel Integrity: Galatians 4 reveals that blessedness can be eclipsed when believers shift from grace to works-based religion. The noun therefore carries an implicit warning: maintain the purity of the gospel to preserve true happiness.

Historical and Cultural Context

Public benedictions were common in Jewish and Greco-Roman settings, whether in liturgy, civic life, or household celebration. By adopting the language of formal felicitation, Paul positions Christian blessedness as the ultimate commendation—God Himself declares the believer favored. This counters the honor-shame dynamics of the ancient world: genuine honor comes not from human accolades but from divine pronouncement.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Assurance: Pastors may employ Romans 4 to anchor believers’ confidence in God’s unchanging verdict rather than fluctuating feelings or performance.
• Evangelism: Because the noun highlights a spoken declaration, sharing the gospel is, in effect, declaring blessedness to those who trust Christ.
• Discipleship: Galatians 4:15 challenges churches to guard against legalism that robs communal joy. Restoring gospel clarity restores blessedness.
• Worship: Corporate readings of Psalm 32 and Romans 4 remind congregations that praise flows from realizing they are the people whom God calls blessed.

Doctrinal Themes

1. Imputed Righteousness (Romans 4:6).
2. Unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ (Romans 4:9-12).
3. Danger of Apostasy from Grace (Galatians 4:15-20).
4. Joy as Evidence of Spiritual Health (Galatians 4:15; Philippians 4:4).

Related Concepts

Blessing, Beatitude, Justification, Imputation, Joy, Grace.

Select Bibliography

• Calvin, John. Commentary on Romans.
• Moo, Douglas. The Epistle to the Romans.
• Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians.
• Vos, Geerhardus. “Doctrine of Justification,” Biblical Theology.

Forms and Transliterations

μακαρισμον μακαρισμὸν μακαρισμος μακαρισμός μακαρισμὸς μακαριστός μακάριστος μακρισμόν makarismon makarismòn makarismos makarismòs

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 4:6 N-AMS
GRK: λέγει τὸν μακαρισμὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου
NAS: speaks of the blessing on the man
KJV: describeth the blessedness of the man,
INT: declares the blessednesss of the man

Romans 4:9 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ μακαρισμὸς οὖν οὗτος
NAS: Is this blessing then
KJV: [Cometh] this blessedness then upon
INT: [is] the blessing Therefore this

Galatians 4:15 N-NMS
GRK: οὖν ὁ μακαρισμὸς ὑμῶν μαρτυρῶ
NAS: then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness
KJV: then the blessedness ye
INT: then the blessedness of you I bear witness

Strong's Greek 3108
3 Occurrences

μακαρισμὸν — 1 Occ.
μακαρισμὸς — 2 Occ.