Lexical Summary homophrón: Like-minded, of one mind Original Word: ὁμόφρων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of one mind. From the base of homou and phren; like-minded, i.e. Harmonious -- of one mind. see GREEK phren see GREEK homou HELPS Word-studies 3675 homóphrōn (from 3674 /homoú, "same as" and 5424 /phrḗn, "inner outlook as regulating outward behavior") – properly, share the same perspective, i.e. like-minded; for believers, this means living in one accord ("having the same mind"). This Spirit-produced unity (agreement) results from receiving God's inworkings of faith ("His persuasions"). 3675 /homóphrōn ("of the same perspective") is used only in 1 Pet 3:8: "To sum up, all of you be harmonious ['of one mind,' 3675 /homóphrōn], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit" (NASU). This describes believers enjoying divinely-inspired harmony. The KJV properly renders it, "Finally, all be of the same mind" – i.e. knowing God's mind (His thoughts) as He reveals it through faith (4102 /pístis). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as homou and phrén Definition agreeing NASB Translation harmonious (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3675: ὁμόφρωνὁμόφρων, ὀμων (ὁμός, φρήν), of one mind (A. V. likeminded), concordant: 1 Peter 3:8. (Homer, Hesiod, Pindar, Aristophanes, Anthol., Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview The term translated “like-minded” appears once in the Greek New Testament, in 1 Peter 3:8, where Peter gathers up his counsel to suffering believers with a call to inner harmony among the saints. Biblical Usage 1 Peter 3:8: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.” Here the word functions as the first in a rapid series of five attitudes that shape congregational life. Its position at the head of the list gives it special weight: unity of mind provides the soil from which the other attitudes grow. Contextual Significance in 1 Peter Peter addresses scattered believers facing social hostility (1 Peter 1:1; 4:12). External pressure could fracture fellowship; therefore he exhorts them to cultivate a shared outlook grounded in the gospel (1 Peter 1:22–23). For Peter, doctrinal accord and sympathetic concern cannot be separated. The “like-minded” community becomes a living apologetic to a watching world (1 Peter 2:12; 3:15–16). Parallel Calls to Unity in the New Testament • Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another.” Although these passages employ other Greek terms, they echo the same apostolic burden: unity in thought, purpose, and affection, rooted in Christ. Theological Implications 1. Christological Foundation: Unity reflects the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) and the eternal oneness of the Father and the Son (John 17:21). Historical Application in the Early Church Early Christian writers saw concord as essential to orthodoxy and witness. Ignatius urged the Ephesian church to be “of one mind with the bishop.” The Didache instructed believers to confess sins “in church” so that unity might not be broken. Lucian’s hostile second-century remark that Christians “love one another before they even know one another” inadvertently testifies to the success of this virtue. Practical Ministry Application • Teaching: Ground the congregation in sound doctrine; shared truth produces shared outlook. Related Concepts • Love (agapē) – the motivating energy of unity (Colossians 3:14). Contemporary Relevance In an age of individualism and ideological polarization, the apostolic call to be “like-minded” challenges believers to subordinate personal preferences to gospel priorities. Doctrinal fidelity, gracious dialogue, and shared mission remain vital for local churches, denominations, and global partnerships alike. Summary Strong’s Greek 3675 marks a single but strategic occurrence that threads through the fabric of New Testament teaching. Like-mindedness is not uniformity of personality but unity of conviction, affection, and purpose in Christ. When cultivated, it protects the church under trial, magnifies the Savior, and advances the gospel to the ends of the earth. Forms and Transliterations ομαφαλός ομοφρονες ομόφρονες ὁμόφρονες όμφακα ομφακίζουσα ομφαλόν ομφαλός ομφαλού όμφαξ homophrones homóphrones omophronesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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