Lexical Summary phótismos: Illumination, enlightenment, light Original Word: φωτισμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance enlightenment, lightFrom photizo; illumination (figuratively) -- light. see GREEK photizo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5462 phōtismós (a masculine noun, see also 5457 /phṓs, the neuter noun-form) – light itself, the embodiment of the source (beginning) of the illumination. See 5457 (phōs). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phótizó Definition illumination NASB Translation light (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5462: φωτισμόςφωτισμός, φωτισμου, ὁ (φωτίζω); a. the act of enlightening, illumination: πρός φωτισμόν τῆς γνώσεως, equivalent to πρός τό φωτίζειν τήν γνῶσιν, that by teaching we may bring to light etc. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (on which passage, see πρόσωπον, 1 a. sub at the end, p. 551{b} top). b. brightness, bright light (ἐξ ἡλίου, Sextus Empiricus, p. 522, 9; ἀπό σελήνης, Plutarch (de fac. in orb. lun. § 16, 13), p. 929 d. (ibid., § 18, 4, p. 931 a.); the Sept. for אור, Psalm 26:1 Strong’s Greek 5462 describes the dawning of spiritual light within human hearts—an interior radiance that brings truth into clear view. It is not mere intellectual grasp but a God-given capacity to perceive His glory in Jesus Christ and to live accordingly. Scriptural Occurrences 2 Corinthians 4 supplies both occurrences: Illumination and the Gospel Veil Paul contrasts two kinds of sight. Satanic blinding prevents the mind from apprehending Christ’s splendor; divine illumination lifts the veil and floods the inner life with revelatory brightness. The same God who spoke at creation, “Let light shine out of darkness” (Genesis 1 echoed in 2 Corinthians 4:6), recreates the heart. Thus illumination is the decisive act that turns mere hearing of the gospel into beholding and treasuring the Lord. Relation to Divine Revelation Throughout Scripture, light symbolizes disclosure of God’s character and will (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 60:1). The verb cognate appears in Ephesians 1:18 (“the eyes of your hearts enlightened”) and Hebrews 6:4; 10:32. Together these passages show that illumination: 1. Springs from God’s sovereign initiative. Historical and Ministry Context In the apostolic era, pagan philosophies promised enlightenment through secret knowledge. Paul counters that true enlightenment comes only through the proclaimed gospel. His own ministry is therefore marked by open statement of truth (2 Corinthians 4:2). When the message is preached, God Himself performs the inner act of illumination, ensuring that the fruitfulness of ministry rests on divine power, not human eloquence. Early church writers echoed Paul. Justin Martyr spoke of believers as those whose hearts “have received light”; Athanasius linked regeneration with God “illumining souls.” Catechetical traditions even called baptism “the illumination,” underscoring the link between public confession and inward light. Theological Implications 1. Regeneration and revelation unite: new birth opens the eyes, and the unveiled Christ furnishes their sight. Practical Application • Humble dependence in study and preaching: believers pray for the same light God once granted at conversion (Psalm 119:18). Englishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 4:4 N-AMSGRK: αὐγάσαι τὸν φωτισμὸν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου NAS: that they might not see the light of the gospel KJV: lest the light of the glorious INT: to beam forth the radiancy of the gospel 2 Corinthians 4:6 N-AMS |
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