Lexical Summary periousios: Special, peculiar, treasured Original Word: περιούσιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chosenFrom the present participle feminine of a compound of peri and eimi; being beyond usual, i.e. Special (one's own) -- peculiar. see GREEK eimi HELPS Word-studies 4041 perioúsios (from 4012 /perí, "all-around, encompassing" and 1511 /eínai, "being, to exist") – properly, what exists in abundance (plenteousness) and hence of surpassing value. This describes believers because they belong to the Lord as His prized treasure ("peculiar," special possession). 4041 (perioúsios) is used only in Tit 2:14. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of peri and eimi Definition of one's own possession NASB Translation possession (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4041: περιούσιοςπεριούσιος, περιούσιον (from περιων, περιουσα, participle of the verb περίειμι, to be over and above — see ἐπιούσιος; hence, περιουσία, abundance, plenty; riches, wealth, property), that which is one's own, belongs to one's possessions: λαός περιούσιος, a people selected by God from the other nations for his own possession, Titus 2:14; Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 64 [ET]; in the Sept. for סְגֶלָּה עַם (Exodus 19:5); Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 26:18. (Cf. Lightfoot 'Fresh Revision' etc. Appendix ii.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage and Context Strong’s Greek 4041 (περιούσιος) appears once in the Greek New Testament, Titus 2:14, where Paul describes those redeemed by Christ as “a people for His own possession”. In the Septuagint it consistently renders Hebrew סְגֻלָּה (segullah), the covenant term for Israel as Yahweh’s “treasured possession.” Thus the word forms an unbroken canonical thread linking the elect nation under the old covenant with the redeemed community under the new. Old Testament Foundations Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Psalms 135:4 and related passages establish two key ideas: 1. Divine choice precedes human response (“the LORD your God has chosen you”). Israel’s history repeatedly demonstrates the tension between privilege and responsibility, a pattern later resolved in Christ’s perfect obedience. New Testament Fulfillment in Christ Titus 2:14 declares that Jesus “gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.” The once-for-all sacrifice creates the very kind of people envisioned in the Torah but never fully realized under the Mosaic economy. Believers now constitute God’s peculiar treasure, not by ethnicity or ritual, but by union with the risen Christ. Parallel concepts appear in Ephesians 1:14; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:9-10. Covenantal and Redemptive Themes • Election: God’s sovereign initiative calls a people to Himself (Romans 8:29-30). Identity and Mission of the Church Periousios shapes ecclesiology: the Church is not a voluntary association but God’s uniquely purchased community. This identity guards against both legalism (trying to earn status already granted) and antinomianism (neglecting the “zealous for good works” mandate). Corporate holiness and evangelistic zeal flow from the same redemptive act. Historic Interpretations • Early Fathers (e.g., Clement of Alexandria) linked Titus 2:14 to Exodus 19:5, viewing the Church as the true continuation of Israel’s priestly vocation. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Assurance: Believers rest in being God’s treasured possession; security fuels service. Worship and Discipleship Implications Singing, prayer, and preaching that rehearse God’s ownership cultivate humility and gratitude. Discipleship curricula can trace the “treasured possession” theme from Exodus to Revelation, enabling believers to locate their personal account within God’s redemptive narrative. Summary of Key Passages • Exodus 19:5 – Prototype of covenant possession. Together these texts reveal one consistent purpose: God saves a distinct people for Himself, that through them He might display His holiness, love, and glory to the ends of the earth. Forms and Transliterations περιουσιον περιούσιον περιούσιος periousion perioúsionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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