Lexical Summary cheilos: Lip, edge, shore Original Word: χεῖλος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lip, shore. From a form of the same as chasma; a lip (as a pouring place); figuratively, a margin (of water) -- lip, shore. see GREEK chasma NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a lip, an edge NASB Translation lips (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5491: χεῖλοςχεῖλος, χείλους, τό, genitive plural in the uncontracted form χειλέων (Hebrews 13:15; see ὄρος) (χέω equivalent to ΧΑΩ, χαίνω), from Homer down, the Sept. for שָׂפָה, a lip; a. in the N. T. of the speaking mouth (cf. Winer's Grammar, 32): Matthew 15:8; Mark vil. 6; Romans 3:13; 1 Corinthians 14:21; Hebrews 13:15 (on which see καρπός, 2 c.); 1 Peter 3:10. b. metaphorically: χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης, the seashore, Hebrews 11:12 (Genesis 22:17; Exodus 7:15; Exodus 14:30, etc.; of the shore of a lake, Josephus, b. j. 3, 10, 7; of the banks of rivers, Herodotus 2 (70). 94; (Aristotle, de mirab. aud. 46; 150; cf. hist. an. 6, 16, p. 570a, 22); Polybius 3, 14, 6; (cf. Winer's Grammar, pp. 18, 30)). Strong’s Greek 5491 designates the “lip” in both the literal and figurative senses. In its seven New Testament occurrences, the word ranges from the physical margin of the mouth to the poetic rim of the seashore (Hebrews 11:12). The contexts move swiftly from anatomy to theology, highlighting how the outer edge of the body reveals inner realities of the heart, covenant faithfulness, and prophetic warning. Physical and Figurative Usage in Scripture 1. Literal organ of speech (Romans 3:13; 1 Peter 3:10). Lips as Vehicle of Speech and Moral Indicator Paul’s citation of Psalms in Romans 3:13 exposes the fallen nature of humanity: “Their throat is an open grave; they practice deceit with their tongues; the venom of vipers is under their lips.” Corrupt lips betray inner death. Peter’s exhortation follows the same psalmic thread: “Keep…his lips from deceitful speech” (1 Peter 3:10). Guarding the lips is thus central to practical holiness and community peace. Duplicity versus Devotion: Prophetic Critique Jesus invokes Isaiah 29:13 in Matthew 15:8 and Mark 7:6 to indict hollow religion: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” Here the word 5491 unmasks hypocrisy; right words without right hearts provoke divine displeasure. The episodes warn contemporary disciples that God discerns sincerity behind every confession and song. Lips as Instrument of Praise and Sacrifice Hebrews 13:15 elevates the mouth to priestly function: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Post-Calvary worship moves from temple altars to redeemed mouths. The lips, once instruments of deceit, are redeemed to bear “fruit” acceptable to God, displaying the transformative power of the gospel. Unexpected Outreach: Foreign Lips and the Gift of Tongues Paul cites Isaiah 28:11 in 1 Corinthians 14:21: “By means of foreign tongues and through the lips of strangers I will speak to this people.” God’s choice to address Israel through Gentile languages foreshadows both Pentecost and the missionary expansion of the church. The gift of tongues, though perplexing, confirms God’s resolve to make His voice heard even when covenant people grow dull of hearing. Boundary Image: The Shoreline of Ancestral Promise Hebrews 11:12 uses the word in its spatial sense: descendants “as countless as the sand on the seashore.” The lip of the sea frames the boundless promise to Abraham. From barren lips of an aged patriarch’s body sprang innumerable heirs, underscoring God’s faithfulness despite human impossibility. Ministry Implications • Guard speech: truthful, gracious words honor Christ and protect fellowship. Related Themes and Cross References Proverbs 12:22; Psalms 63:3; Isaiah 6:5-7; James 1:26; James 3:9-10. Summary Strong’s Greek 5491 threads through Scripture as both a literal lip and a theological signpost. Whether exposing deceit, expressing praise, or marking the horizon of divine promise, the “cheilos” calls believers to align heart and speech under the lordship of Christ, confident that the God who monitors every word also multiplies every promise. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 15:8 N-DNPGRK: οὗτος τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ NAS: HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART KJV: me with [their] lips; but INT: this with the lips me it honors Mark 7:6 N-DNP Romans 3:13 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 14:21 N-DNP Hebrews 11:12 N-ANS Hebrews 13:15 N-GNP 1 Peter 3:10 N-ANP Strong's Greek 5491 |
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