Lexical Summary aneklalétos: Inexpressible, unspeakable Original Word: ἀνεκλάλητος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance inexpressibleFrom a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of eklaleo; not spoken out, i.e. (by implication) unutterable -- unspeakable. see GREEK a see GREEK eklaleo HELPS Word-studies 412 aneklálētos (from 1 /A "not" and 1583 /eklaléō, "fully tell") – properly, unable to fully describe or report; impossible to communicate (convey) adequately by words; hence, unutterable, inexpressible (used only in 1 Pet 1:8). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and eklaleó Definition unspeakable NASB Translation inexpressible (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 412: ἀνεκλάλητοςἀνεκλάλητος, ἀνεκλαλητον (alpha privative and ἐκλαλέω), unspeakable: 1 Peter 1:8 (to which words are inadequate). ((Dioscorides ( Topical Lexicon Biblical Context 1 Peter 1:3-9 frames the letter’s opening doxology. Peter blesses God for the new birth into a “living hope,” the imperishable inheritance kept in Heaven, and the divine protection believers enjoy “through faith.” Within that sweeping vision verse 8 declares that believers “rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). The term captures the overflow of delight that cannot be articulated, a joy springing from love for the unseen Christ and sustained by confidence in His future revelation (1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:13). Theological Significance 1. Joy grounded in Christ’s resurrection. The joy Peter describes is inseparable from the “living hope” secured by Jesus’ rising (1 Peter 1:3). It is not mere emotion but a Spirit-wrought response to objective salvation realities (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). Relation to Broader Biblical Themes • Fulness of joy in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11). Historical Reception Early Christian martyrs viewed “joy unspeakable” as evidence of the Spirit’s power. Church Fathers such as Ignatius of Antioch spoke of an interior joy that chains could not silence. Reformers cited 1 Peter 1:8 to highlight assurance flowing from faith rather than vision. Hymnody later enshrined the phrase—e.g., Barney Warren’s “Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory” (1897)—celebrating experiential communion with Christ. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Encouragement under persecution. Teaching 1 Peter 1:8 equips believers to expect suffering without forfeiting rejoicing. Practical Pathways to Experience 1. Fix the heart on revealed promises (Psalm 119:111). Summary Strong’s Greek 412 describes the superlative joy granted to believers who, though they have not yet seen Christ, rest in His accomplished salvation and await His appearing. It is a joy immune to oppression, anchored in the resurrection, and infused with future glory—an experiential hallmark of authentic Christian faith and a compelling testimony to the world. Forms and Transliterations ανεκλαλητω ανεκλαλήτω ἀνεκλαλήτῳ aneklaleto aneklalētō aneklalḗtoi aneklalḗtōiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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