Lexical Summary humeis: you (plural) Original Word: ὑμεῖς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance youIrregular plural of su; you (as subjective of verb) -- ye (yourselves), you. see GREEK su NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originnom. pl. of su, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5210: ὑμεῖςὑμεῖς, see σύ. Topical Lexicon Linguistic Role ὑμεῖς functions as the second-person plural personal pronoun, set in contrast to the singular σύ. Its appearance often carries an explicit stress on collective identity and responsibility, especially when placed first in a clause or accompanied by emphatic particles. The pronoun thus serves not merely as a grammatical marker but as a rhetorical device, underscoring shared covenantal privileges and obligations among the addressees. Covenant Community and Corporate Identity Throughout the Gospels, Jesus addresses His disciples with ὑμεῖς to highlight their unified calling. “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14) announces their collective vocation in the kingdom. By employing the plural, Christ frames discipleship in communal rather than individualistic terms, foreshadowing the church’s mission to manifest righteousness and illumination to the nations. Paul consistently affirms this corporate status. “You are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9) and “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26) exhibit ὑμεῖς as the linchpin of ecclesial self-understanding: one people, one inheritance, one identity in Christ. Contrast and Ethical Exhortation The pronoun frequently introduces ethical contrasts: “You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit” (Romans 8:9), “You are no longer foreigners and strangers” (Ephesians 2:19). In each case, ὑμεῖς distinguishes believers’ new status from their former condition or from unbelieving society. James intensifies moral accountability by writing, “You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:3), pressing the readers to embrace trials as a community refined together. Christological Relationship Jesus’ intimate covenant bond is accentuated with ὑμεῖς. “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14) binds obedience to relational privilege. In the Upper Room discourse He promises, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19), pledging resurrection life to the gathered band. The plural pronoun shows that the benefits of union with Christ extend to the entire believing body, not merely isolated individuals. Pastoral Assurance and Correction The epistles combine comfort and admonition through ὑμεῖς. Peter reassures persecuted believers: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Conversely, Paul rebukes the Corinthian congregation for factionalism, yet still affirms, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The pronoun keeps correction tethered to covenant identity, preventing despair while demanding holiness. Missional Implications Jesus ties the credibility of the gospel to the community addressed by ὑμεῖς: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Love within the fellowship authenticates proclamation without. Likewise, Philippians 2:15 urges believers to “shine as lights in the world,” restating the Matthean commission. The plural pronoun obliges every member collectively to participate in witness and service. Liturgical and Discipleship Application Early Christian liturgies, echoing apostolic letters, retained ὑμεῖς in congregational readings, reminding worshipers of shared confession and responsibility. Modern discipleship mirrors this dynamic when pastors and teachers employ “you” in sermons and studies to emphasize unity in Christ and mutual edification. Group prayer, corporate worship, and joint mission efforts all resonate with the underlying theology of ὑμεῖς. Doctrinal Safeguard The consistent plural usage guards against hyper-individualism. Salvation, sanctification, and ultimate glorification are received personally yet worked out corporately: “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). The plural imperative demands communal vigilance in doctrine and life. Summary of Ministry Significance 1. Affirms the church’s collective identity in Christ. Forms and Transliterations υμεις ὑμεῖς hymeis hymeîs umeisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance υἱοθεσίας — 1 Occ.υἱὲ — 9 Occ. υἱῷ — 15 Occ. υἱῶν — 17 Occ. υἱοὶ — 33 Occ. υἱοῖς — 7 Occ. υἱὸν — 86 Occ. υἱὸς — 164 Occ. υἱοῦ — 37 Occ. υἱοὺς — 14 Occ. Ὑμέναιος — 2 Occ. ὑμετέρα — 2 Occ. ὑμετέραν — 1 Occ. ὑμετέρας — 2 Occ. ὑμετέρῳ — 2 Occ. ὑμέτερον — 3 Occ. ὑμέτερος — 1 Occ. ὑμνήσαντες — 2 Occ. ὑμνήσω — 1 Occ. ὕμνουν — 1 Occ. |
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