Lexical Summary stereóma: Firmament, expanse, support, foundation Original Word: στερέωμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance steadfastness. From stereoo; something established, i.e. (abstractly) confirmation (stability) -- stedfastness. see GREEK stereoo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4733 steréōma (a noun) – literally, a support (foundation); (figuratively) strength (solidity), making one immoveable because solid (used only in Col 2:5). See 4731 (stereos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom stereoó Definition a solid body, a support, strength, firmness NASB Translation stability (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4733: στερέωμαστερέωμα στερεώματος, τό (στερεόω), that which has been made firm; a. (Vulg.firmamentum) the firmament; so the Sept. for רָקִיעַ , the arch of the sky, which in early times was thought to be solid, Genesis 1:6-8; Ezekiel 1:22-26; Sir. 43:1 (cf. B. D. (especially American edition) under the word b. that which furnishes a foundation; on which a thing rests firmly, support: Aristotle, partt. an. 2, 9, 12, p. 655{a}, 22; κύριος στερέωμα μου, Psalm 17:3 c. firmness, steadfastness: τῆς πίστεως, Colossians 2:5 (some take it here metaphorically in a military sense, solid front; cf. Lightfoot at the passage (per contra Meyer)). Stereōma depicts that which is solidly established, well-ordered, and incapable of being shaken. The term moves beyond mere firmness of material substance to embrace moral, doctrinal, and communal stability—a settled condition produced by God and recognized in the believing community. New Testament Setting: Colossians 2:5 Paul writes from imprisonment yet views the congregation “in orderly arrangement and the firmness (stereōma) of your faith in Christ”. The double emphasis—“order” and “firmness”—echoes military parade language. Both words portray ranks drawn up in disciplined formation, suggesting that sound doctrine and united love form an unbreachable line against false teaching. Within the epistle, stereōma stands as Paul’s positive assessment amid his warnings regarding “philosophy and empty deceit” (Colossians 2:8). The term thus functions as a foil: Christ-centered solidity versus syncretistic instability. Old Testament and Jewish Background In the Septuagint stereōma frequently translates the Hebrew raqîaʿ, “expanse” or “firmament” (Genesis 1:6-8; Psalms 19:1; Ezekiel 1:22). The image is cosmic: God speaks and a dome-like structure is fixed, separating waters and forming an ordered world. When Paul borrows the same noun for the church, he implicitly links ecclesial steadfastness with the Creator’s original act of stabilizing the universe. As the heavens declare the glory of God by their unchanging course, congregational perseverance declares the sufficiency of Christ. Historical Resonance Hellenistic readers knew stereōma in civic and military contexts. City walls, alliances, and standing armies were praised for their stereōma, the guarantee of continued peace. By attributing this quality to “faith in Christ,” Paul relocates ultimate security from imperial power to the Messiah’s lordship. The claim is countercultural: Rome’s legions cannot impart the stability that is granted in union with the risen Lord. Theological Themes 1. Christological Center: The firmness resides “in Christ,” not in human resolve (Philippians 3:9). Related New Testament Vocabulary • Bebaios (“firm, secure”)—Hebrews 6:19, “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” All three reinforce the call to an unyielding stance grounded in grace. Pastoral Implications • Teaching Ministries: Systematic instruction in the apostolic gospel fortifies stereōma; topical novelty alone cannot. Exhortations for Today “Stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, adapted to wording) remains urgent. Contemporary pressures—relativism, consumerism, persecution—mirror Colossae’s threats. Congregations fortified by clear doctrine, mutual love, and Christ-centered hope embody stereōma, shining as “a city on a hill” (Matthew 5:14). Summary Stereōma communicates the divinely wrought solidity that characterizes both the created order and the redeemed community. Appearing once in the New Testament yet resonating through Scripture’s wider witness, it summons believers to a collective, unwavering allegiance to Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone who ensures that “the foundation of God stands firm” (2 Timothy 2:19). |
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