Strong's Greek: 3231 -- (Not Used)zzz

Lexical Summary

(Not Used): (Not Used)

(Not Used)
Part of Speech:
Transliteration: (Not Used)
(Not Used)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek number 3231 represents a rare verbal form preserved in the major lexicons even though the word itself never appears in the extant Greek New Testament manuscripts. The entry survives chiefly because it belongs to a recognized family of cognates that do occur in Scripture, so the form is catalogued for the sake of completeness. That circumstance reminds modern readers that the biblical languages were living tongues: not every possible inflection was needed in the Spirit-inspired text, but the language system to which those forms belonged was fully functional in the first century.

Relation to Its Cognate Family

• The root behind 3231 is well attested. Nouns, adjectives, or simpler verb forms built on the same stem are found in the New Testament, the Septuagint, and wider Hellenistic literature.
• Those related terms consistently convey a single semantic core, so the unused form shares the same basic idea. When the root appears elsewhere, it typically describes (1) an inward condition that shapes outward conduct, and (2) a decisive movement of the will rather than a mere passing emotion.
• Because the cognate family surfaces in key salvation-historical contexts, the unused form would naturally have carried theological weight had the Spirit chosen to employ it in the inspired record.

Presence in the Septuagint and Other Literature

The Septuagint, Josephus, Philo, and a handful of papyri display the cognate family in everyday, military, and religious settings. In the Old Testament Greek, the verbs often render Hebrew terms for deliberate, covenant-shaping action. For example, similar Greek forms translate verbs that speak of Israel’s intentional turning to or from the LORD (e.g., Deuteronomy 30:10; Nehemiah 1:9). That background confirms that the larger word-group was well suited to express decisive, morally significant choices—an idea echoed wherever the cognates do appear in the New Testament.

Biblical Themes Illustrated by Cognates

1. Repentance and conversion
• Acts 3:19: “Repent therefore, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (cf. the cognate emphasis on decisive turning).
2. Whole-hearted allegiance
• 1 Thessalonians 1:9: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”
3. Perseverance in holy living
• Hebrews 3:12: “Beware, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”

Although the exact form numbered 3231 is absent, these passages show how the family language functions: it marks out clear-cut commitment—either toward God or away from Him.

Doctrinal Significance

• The canon’s silence concerning this particular inflection is itself instructive: the authority of Scripture rests not on exhaustiveness of linguistic possibilities but on the sufficiency of what is written (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• The presence of unused forms in the lexicon confirms the integrity of textual transmission; no later editor tried to “fill in” missing vocabulary.
• Because related forms speak to covenant loyalty, the unused verb still contributes indirectly to systematic theology, highlighting how Scripture frames genuine faith as an intentional, God-directed resolve that issues in obedient action (James 2:18).

Pastoral and Homiletical Applications

1. Preachers can appeal to the cognate verbs to underline that saving faith involves decisive turning to Christ, not mere intellectual assent.
2. Teachers may use the unused entry to illustrate responsible word-study methods: trace a root’s actual biblical occurrences rather than speculating about hypothetical forms.
3. Discipleship curricula can draw on the cognate family to emphasize perseverance—continuing the initial “turn” to God throughout the Christian life (Romans 6:11-13).

Contemporary Relevance

• In an age of fluid commitments, the cognate family’s stress on deliberate allegiance challenges believers to make clear, unwavering decisions for holiness.
• The lexical footnote that is 3231 reminds students of Scripture to exercise humility: even when linguists catalogue possibilities the biblical authors did not use, the Spirit’s chosen words are entirely adequate for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Summary

Strong’s 3231 exemplifies a grammatical possibility that Scripture did not need to employ, yet its very existence underscores the richness of the language God ordained for His Word. By studying the living family of related terms, believers gain deeper appreciation for themes of decisive repentance, covenant fidelity, and persevering obedience—themes that remain central to faithful ministry today.

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts