3545. nomimós

Lexical Summary

nomimós: Lawfully, according to law

Original Word: νομίμως
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: nomimós
Pronunciation: no-MEE-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (nom-im'-oce)
KJV: lawfully
NASB: lawfully, rules
Word Origin: [adverb from a derivative of G3551 (νόμος - Law)]

1. legitimately (specially, agreeably to the rules of the lists)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lawfully.

Adverb from a derivative of nomos; legitimately (specially, agreeably to the rules of the lists) -- lawfully.

see GREEK nomos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from nomimos (conformable to law)
Definition
rightly, lawfully
NASB Translation
lawfully (1), rules (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3545: νομίμως

νομίμως, adverb (νόμιμος), lawfully, agreeably to the law, properly: 1 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:5. (Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Conceptual Background

Strong’s Greek 3545, νομίμως, conveys the notion of acting “according to established law or rule.” In Scripture it serves to highlight the difference between merely engaging in an activity and engaging in it under God-approved parameters. The adverb occurs only twice in the New Testament, both times in Paul’s Pastoral Letters, and both instances set boundaries for right practice within the Christian life.

Usage in the Pastoral Epistles

1. 1 Timothy 1:8

“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.”

Paul confronts teachers who mishandle the Mosaic Law. The adverb directs Timothy to ensure that the Law is employed for the purpose God intended—exposing sin and guiding toward Christ—rather than as a platform for speculative debates or legalistic righteousness. “Legitimately” therefore frames the Law as beneficial when applied within its redemptive design.

2. 2 Timothy 2:5

“Likewise, anyone who competes as an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

Drawing from athletic imagery, Paul reminds Timothy that faithful service must follow the divinely-set “rules.” Victory, whether for an athlete or a minister, is inseparable from obedience to the governing standards laid down by the Lord.

Relationship to Torah and Gospel

By pairing νομίμως with discussion of the Law and with athletic competition, Paul shows continuity between Old Testament revelation and Gospel ethics. The Law retains value, yet only as it leads to Christ (Galatians 3:24). In the same way, ministry retains value only when carried out under Christ’s lordship. Thus νομίμως links the moral vision of the Torah with the grace-filled obedience of the New Covenant.

Legal Metaphors in Pauline Thought

Paul frequently turns to legal language—“justified,” “righteousness,” “condemnation”—to clarify salvation. νομίμως extends that vocabulary into the realm of practice. Just as believers are declared righteous “legally” through faith (Romans 3:24), so they must serve “legally” by adhering to God’s revealed will. The term reminds readers that grace does not abolish divine order; rather, it empowers obedience within it.

Implications for Christian Ministry and Discipleship

1. Scriptural Fidelity: Teaching, counseling, and evangelism must be measured by the canon of Scripture, not personal preference or cultural trends (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2. Moral Integrity: Leaders who minister νομίμως refuse shortcuts to success. Integrity outweighs immediate results (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
3. Perseverance Within Boundaries: Like athletes, servants of Christ embrace discipline, trusting that the promised “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8) awaits those who finish the race within the rules.

Theological Significance in Ecclesial Order

Early church order was not a matter of convenience but of divine mandate. Whether regulating widows (1 Timothy 5:9-16) or appointing elders (Titus 1:5-9), Paul insists that procedures be νομίμως—reflecting God’s character of holiness and order (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). Church polity grounded in Scripture guards against both anarchy and authoritarianism.

Historical Reception in Church Teaching

Patristic writers such as Chrysostom cited 1 Timothy 1:8 to curb antinomian tendencies, while Reformers appealed to 2 Timothy 2:5 to affirm sola Scriptura as the rulebook for faith and practice. Across centuries, νομίμως has functioned as a call to measure every doctrine, sacrament, and moral stance against the objective standard of God’s Word.

Practical Application Today

• In personal study, believers ask, “Am I interpreting and applying Scripture νομίμως?”
• In congregational life, decision-making bodies evaluate policies through explicit biblical principles, not pragmatism.
• In societal engagement, Christians advocate for justice that reflects God’s law, steering clear of both legalism and lawlessness.

Wherever the Church runs her race—whether in worship, mission, or public witness—Strong’s 3545 reminds her that only those who minister “according to the rules” will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Forms and Transliterations

νομιμως νομίμως nomimos nomimōs nomímos nomímōs

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 1:8 Adv
GRK: τις αὐτῷ νομίμως χρῆται
NAS: one uses it lawfully,
KJV: use it lawfully;
INT: anyone it lawfully uses

2 Timothy 2:5 Adv
GRK: ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ
NAS: he competes according to the rules.
KJV: except he strive lawfully.
INT: if not lawfully he shall have contended

Strong's Greek 3545
2 Occurrences

νομίμως — 2 Occ.