Lexical Summary piotés: Richness, abundance, fertility Original Word: πιότης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fatness. From pion (fat; perhaps akin to the alternate of pino through the idea of repletion); plumpness, i.e. (by implication) richness (oiliness) -- fatness. see GREEK pino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pión (fat) Definition fatness NASB Translation rich (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4096: πιότηςπιότης, πιητος, ἡ (πίων fat), fatness: Romans 11:17. (Aristotle, Theophrastus, others; the Sept. for דֶּשֶׁן.) Topical Lexicon Essential SenseThe term pictures the rich, nourishing sap that courses through a healthy olive tree. It conveys fullness, abundance, life-sustaining richness rather than mere existence. Used once in the New Testament, it functions as a vivid metaphor for the spiritual vitality that flows from God’s covenant root. Context: Romans 11:17 Paul addresses Gentile believers who have been “grafted in” to Israel’s cultivated olive tree. By grace they now “share in the nourishing sap from the root of the olive tree” (Romans 11:17). The imagery underscores: • Continuity—The same root that fed the patriarchs now sustains believing Gentiles. Old Testament Background 1. Olive imagery for covenant blessing: Jeremiah 11:16; Hosea 14:5–6. These texts prepare the reader to see God-given fullness as both privilege and stewardship. Theological Themes Covenant grace The root represents God’s promises to Abraham (Romans 11:28–29). Fatness signifies the overflowing life contained in those promises, now shared with every believer in Jesus Christ. Union with Christ Just as the sap unites branch and root, saving union with Christ channels His life to the believer (John 15:4–5; Galatians 2:20). Corporate solidarity Paul speaks to “you” plural. The life of the root flows into a community, integrating Jew and Gentile into “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15). Ongoing dependence The richness is never self-generated; separation from the root results in sterility (Romans 11:20–22). Related New Testament Imagery • “Riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Each passage echoes the idea that God Himself supplies inexhaustible spiritual wealth. Ministry Implications Discipleship Teach believers to draw daily strength from the covenant root through Word and prayer, not from cultural identity or personal merit. Unity Because all branches share the same sap, ethnic pride and sectarianism must give way to mutual honor and gratitude (Romans 11:18; Ephesians 4:3). Mission The olive tree still has room (Romans 11:24). Evangelism invites others to be grafted in, anticipating a future ingathering of Israel (Romans 11:26). Perseverance Pastors remind congregations that continued faith evidences living connection; persistent unbelief signals danger of being cut off (Romans 11:22). Devotional Application Believers may pray Psalm 63:5—“My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods”—confident that the “richest” is the very sap of Christ’s life. In seasons of spiritual dryness, Romans 11:17 directs the heart back to the root where fullness never fails. Summary Strong’s Greek 4096 captures the luxuriant quality of God-given life. In Romans 11 it serves Paul’s call to humble gratitude, covenant hope, and persevering faith in the Lord who alone supplies the fatness of the olive tree. Forms and Transliterations πιότης πιότητά πιοτητος πιότητος piotetos piotētos piótetos piótētosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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