Lexical Summary chóris: without, apart from, separate from Original Word: χωρίς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beside, by itself, without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from (often as preposition) -- beside, by itself, without. see GREEK chora HELPS Word-studies 5565 xōrís (a preposition, also used as an adverb which is probably derived from 5561 /xṓra, "an open or detached space") – properly, apart from, separated ("without"); (figuratively) detached, rendering something invalid or valid. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb akin to chéros (bereaved) Definition separately, separate from NASB Translation apart (10), besides (2), independent (2), itself (1), separate (1), without (25). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5565: χωρίςχωρίς (ΧΑΩ, see χώρα (cf. Curtius, § 192)), adverb, from Homer down; 1. separately, apart: John 20:7. 2. as a preposition with the genitive (Winers Grammar, § 54, 6); a. wilhout any person or thing (making no use of, having no association with, apart from, aloof from, etc.): 1 Cor. (iv. 8); b. besides: Matthew 14:21; Matthew 15:38; 2 Corinthians 11:28. (Synonym: cf. ἄνευ.) The adverb χωρίς marks separation, absence, or independence. In the New Testament it regularly sets two realities in sharp contrast, clarifying what is indispensable for life, salvation, and faithful practice. Forty-one occurrences span the Gospels, Acts-Epistles, and especially Hebrews, weaving a unified testimony to humanity’s need for Christ, faith, holiness, and mutual interdependence. Thematic Patterns of Separation and Necessity 1. Absolute dependence on the person and work of Christ (John 1:3; John 15:5; Hebrews 9:22). Occurrences in the Teaching Ministry of Jesus Matthew 13:34 and Mark 4:34 highlight Jesus’ exclusive use of parables with the crowds: “He did not speak to them without a parable.” The term underscores His deliberate pedagogical method—veiling truth to the hard-hearted while drawing in the receptive. In the feeding narratives (Matthew 14:21; 15:38) χωρίς separates the counted men from women and children, encouraging careful historical reporting and pointing to the vastness of Christ’s provision. Luke 6:49 contrasts the house built “without a foundation” with the secure house on the rock, picturing the peril of hearing Christ’s words yet failing to act. Johannine Christology and Discipleship John employs χωρίς to showcase the sufficiency of the Word made flesh. Pauline Theology: Law, Faith, and Community Romans presents the most concentrated doctrinal use: Paul does not discard the Law’s witness (3:21b) but insists that saving righteousness originates in God’s grace, received through faith alone. Romans 7:8-9 furthers the argument by exposing sin’s exploitation of the commandment: “Apart from the Law, sin is dead,” revealing the Law’s inability to vivify. Community implications follow. In 1 Corinthians 11:11 “in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor man independent of woman,” affirming mutual dependence under Christ’s headship. Likewise, 2 Corinthians 11:28 speaks of pastoral burden “besides everything else,” placing love-shaped ministry above personal ease. Ephesians 2:12 reminds Gentile believers they were once “separate from Christ,” a bleak condition now reversed by His blood. Philippians 2:14 exhorts, “Do everything without complaining or arguing,” demonstrating how the gospel reshapes conduct. Hebrews: The Necessity of Blood, Faith, and Holiness No book uses χωρίς more strategically than Hebrews. James: The Integrity of Living Faith James seizes χωρίς to refute a barren profession: The Greek term sharpens the line between genuine saving faith and an empty claim, echoing Hebrews’ insistence on the inseparability of faith and obedience. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Preaching: Like Jesus, pastors must recognize that spiritual insight comes only by divine revelation; apart from the Spirit’s illumination sermons remain mere words. Conclusion Throughout Scripture χωρίς functions as a theological brightline: when Scripture says “without,” it exposes what is essential. Creation is impossible without the Son, forgiveness without His blood, pleasing God without faith, holiness, or abiding in Christ. Conversely, salvation is gloriously declared to be “apart from” human works, partiality, wrath, and self-promotion. The term therefore serves both to humble sinners and to exalt the sufficiency of the Savior, summoning believers to lives that can never be explained apart from Him. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 13:34 AdvGRK: ὄχλοις καὶ χωρὶς παραβολῆς οὐδὲν NAS: and He did not speak to them without a parable. KJV: and without a parable INT: crowds and without a parable not Matthew 14:21 Adv Matthew 15:38 Adv Mark 4:34 Adv Luke 6:49 Adv John 1:3 Adv John 15:5 Adv John 20:7 Adv Romans 3:21 Adv Romans 3:28 Adv Romans 4:6 Adv Romans 7:8 Adv Romans 7:9 Adv Romans 10:14 Adv 1 Corinthians 4:8 Adv 1 Corinthians 11:11 Adv 1 Corinthians 11:11 Adv 2 Corinthians 11:28 Adv 2 Corinthians 12:3 Adv Ephesians 2:12 Adv Philippians 2:14 Adv 1 Timothy 2:8 Adv 1 Timothy 5:21 Adv Philemon 1:14 Adv Hebrews 4:15 Adv |
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