Lexical Summary aneu: without Original Word: ἄνευ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without. A primary particle; without -- without. Compare a. see GREEK a HELPS Word-studies 427 áneu – properly, "without, i.e. without one's will or intervention (used with this meaning from Homer on" (J. Thayer). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps akin to alpha (as a neg. prefix) Definition without (preposition) NASB Translation apart (1), without (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 427: ἄνευἄνευ, preposition with the genitive, without: 1 Peter 3:16 4:9. with the genitive of the person without one's will or intervention (often so in Greek writings from Homer down): Matthew 10:29. (Compared with χωρίς, see Tittm. i., p. 93f; Ellicott on Ephesians 2:12; Green, Critical Notes, etc. (on Romans 3:28).) Topical Lexicon Essence of the TermἌνευ expresses the idea of something taking place “without” the agency, participation, or accompaniment of another person, object, or quality. When the word appears, it draws sharp attention to a missing factor that might normally be expected. The absence can be either positive (free from hindrance) or negative (lacking a needed element). In each New Testament occurrence the term intensifies the surrounding teaching by underscoring dependence on—or deliberate independence from—an unseen influence. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 10:29 — “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” Though few in number, these references span major areas of Christian life: confidence in God’s providence, the power of silent witness, and the practice of cheerful service. Key Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty and Providence (Matthew 10:29) Ἄνευ underscores that nothing in creation operates independently of the Father’s will. Even events as trivial as a sparrow’s fall are not “without” God’s oversight. The term therefore establishes a worldview in which all happenings, great or small, are encompassed by divine governance, encouraging believers to rest in the certainty of God’s meticulous care. 2. Silent Evangelism (1 Peter 3:1) Peter elevates a wordless testimony: husbands “may be won over without words.” The preposition stresses that the transforming effect does not rely on verbal argument but on the observable conduct produced by the gospel. It validates the effectiveness of quiet faithfulness and reminds the church that evangelism is both spoken and lived. 3. Ungrudging Love in Community (1 Peter 4:9) Hospitality is to be practiced “without complaining.” The placement of ἄνευ before the noun for grumbling insists that the attitude is as important as the act. Christian service must be free from inner resentment, mirroring the generous heart of God who “gives to all generously and without finding fault” (James 1:5). Practical Applications for Ministry • Pastoral Care: Assure believers that their trials are never outside the Father’s hand, cultivating a settled trust amid uncertainty. Historical Usage and Background In classical Greek literature ἄνευ often described actions undertaken independently of counsel or aid. The Septuagint employs it to translate Hebrew expressions for “without” in contexts ranging from offerings made “without blemish” (Leviticus 22:21) to pursuits “without understanding” (Proverbs 10:21). That background reinforces the New Testament nuance: something stands wholly apart from a normally expected influence. Relation to Other Biblical Terms While ἄνευ highlights the absence of a particular factor, the more common χωρίς can note separation in space, time, or relationship. Ἄνευ therefore carries a stronger idea of exclusion: the missing element never enters the action at all. In Matthew 10:29, for instance, “apart from” (ἄνευ) rules out any possibility of the Father being uninvolved, whereas χωρίς might allow a looser connection. Ministry Significance Today 1. Cultivating God-Centered Confidence: Rehearsing Matthew 10:29 comforts congregations facing anxieties about safety, provision, or global turmoil. Conclusion Though ἄνευ appears only three times in the Greek New Testament, its strategic placement deepens crucial doctrines and practices. It reminds disciples that life cannot be severed from the Father’s providence, that conduct may speak louder than words in winning the lost, and that genuine fellowship thrives when service is rendered free from complaint. The term therefore calls believers to live every aspect of their faith neither independent of God nor tainted by reluctant hearts, but wholly “without” anything that would contradict the character of Christ. Forms and Transliterations ανευ άνευ ἄνευ aneu áneuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 10:29 PrepGRK: τὴν γῆν ἄνευ τοῦ πατρὸς NAS: to the ground apart from your Father. KJV: on the ground without your Father. INT: the ground apart from the Father 1 Peter 3:1 Prep 1 Peter 4:9 Prep |
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