Lexical Summary phoneuó: To murder, to kill Original Word: φονεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance kill, slay. From phoneus; to be a murderer (of) -- kill, do murder, slay. see GREEK phoneus HELPS Word-studies 5407 phoneúō (from 5408 /phónos, "murder, homicide") – to murder, commit intentional (unjustified) homicide. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phoneus Definition to kill, murder NASB Translation commit murder (5), commits murder (1), murder (3), murdered (2), put to death (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5407: φονεύωφονεύω; future φονεύσω; 1 aorist ἐφόνευσα; (φονεύς); from (Pindar, Aeschylus), Herodotus down; the Sept. mostly for רָצֵח, also for הָרַג, הִכָּה, etc.; to kill, slay, murder; absolutely, to commit murder (A. V. kill): Matthew 5:21; James 4:2; οὐ (which see 6) φονεύσεις, Matthew 5:21; Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9 (Exodus 20:15); μή φονεύσῃς, Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; James 2:11. τινα: Matthew 23:31, 35; James 5:6. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope in Scripture The verb denotes the deliberate taking of innocent life—personal, premeditated, and morally culpable homicide. Scripture consistently treats such blood-guilt as a direct assault on the image of God in humanity (Genesis 9:6) and therefore an affront to the divine Lawgiver. Occurrences in the New Testament Twelve verses employ this verb, ranging from the Gospels to the Epistles. The contexts cluster around three themes: (1) citation of the Decalogue, (2) Israel’s history of slaying God’s messengers, and (3) pastoral warnings to New-Covenant believers. Rooted in the Sixth Commandment Jesus, the rich young ruler narrative, and Paul alike cite “Do not murder” when summing up moral duty (Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9). The Lord affirms the command’s abiding validity, while Paul shows its fulfillment in neighbor-love: “The commandments…are summed up in this one decree: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9). Murder as Evidence of Kingdom Rejection In Matthew 23:31,35 Jesus indicts the religious leaders: “So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.” Their impending plot against the Messiah crowns a generations-long pattern of murderous unbelief—a pattern bringing covenantal judgment (Matthew 23:36-38). Spiritual Murder and the Sin of Partiality James draws the commandment into congregational life. Partial treatment of the rich versus poor is no minor lapse; it aligns with the very sin of murder (James 2:11). By equating favoritism and homicide as Law-breaking, James exposes the heart-level contempt that underlies both. Covetous Desire Turned Deadly “You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet” (James 4:2). James exposes a progression from unchecked desire to violent action, mirroring Jesus’ teaching that anger precedes murder (Matthew 5:21-22). The church must confront internal passions before they corrupt fellowship and witness. Economic Oppression as Murder “You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you” (James 5:6). With prophetic edge, James brands exploitative wealth as virtual homicide. Failure to pay wages, or to uphold justice, can cost lives and will draw divine retribution. Christ’s Fulfillment and Transformation Jesus radicalizes the sixth commandment by tracing its roots to anger and insult (Matthew 5:21-22). He requires reconciliation before worship, thus moving obedience from external prohibition to internal purity—fulfilling, not abolishing, the Law. Eschatological Judgment Against Murderers After listing the blood of Abel to Zechariah (Matthew 23:35), Jesus warns of a coming reckoning. Revelation later echoes this certainty: “murderers” share the lake of fire with other unrepentant sinners (Revelation 21:8), underscoring the unchanging seriousness of the sin. Pastoral and Ministerial Application • Preach the sanctity of life from womb to old age, grounding pro-life ethics in God’s image. Historical Witness in the Early Church Early apologists such as Athenagoras highlighted Christians’ refusal to engage in abortion or infanticide, arguing from the command against murder. Martyr accounts reveal believers choosing to die rather than take life unjustly, thereby embodying the command’s positive call to preserve life. Summary Strong’s 5407 confronts the church with the inviolability of human life, the heart-depth of sin, and the gospel’s power to transform murderers into ministers of reconciliation (compare Paul in Acts 9:1 with 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The verb’s twelve New-Testament uses thus form a unified witness: from Law to prophetic indictment, from pastoral exhortation to eschatological warning, Scripture consistently upholds the sacredness of life and the necessity of love. Forms and Transliterations εφόνευσαν εφόνευσας εφονευσατε εφονεύσατε ἐφονεύσατε εφονευσέν εφόνευσεν εφονοκτονήθη πεφόνευκεν πεφονευμένης φονευεις φονεύεις φονευετε φονεύετε φονευθήσονται φονεύοντος φονεύσαί φονεύσαντα φονεύσαντας φονεύσαντι φονεύσαντος φονευσαντων φονευσάντων φονεύσας φονεύσασι φονεύσει φονευσεις φονεύσεις φονευση φονεύση φονεύσῃ φονευσης φονεύσης φονεύσῃς φονεύσωμεν φονεύων φονοκτονεί φονοκτονήσητε ephoneusate ephoneúsate phoneueis phoneúeis phoneuete phoneúete phoneusanton phoneusantōn phoneusánton phoneusántōn phoneuse phoneusē phoneúsei phoneúsēi phoneuseis phoneúseis phoneúsēis phoneuses phoneusēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:21 V-FIA-2SGRK: ἀρχαίοις Οὐ φονεύσεις ὃς δ' NAS: were told, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER KJV: Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever INT: ancients not You will murder whoever moreover Matthew 5:21 V-ASA-3S Matthew 19:18 V-FIA-2S Matthew 23:31 V-APA-GMP Matthew 23:35 V-AIA-2P Mark 10:19 V-ASA-2S Luke 18:20 V-ASA-2S Romans 13:9 V-FIA-2S James 2:11 V-ASA-2S James 2:11 V-PIA-2S James 4:2 V-PIA-2P James 5:6 V-AIA-2P Strong's Greek 5407 |
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