Lexical Summary hósperei: As if, as it were, like Original Word: ὡσπερεί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance as. From hosper and ei; just as if, i.e. As it were -- as. see GREEK hosper see GREEK ei NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hósper and ei Definition as, as it were. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5619: ὡσπερείὡσπερεί (ὥσπερ and εἰ (Tdf Proleg., p. 110)), adverb, from Aeschylus down, as, as it were: 1 Corinthians 15:8. Topical Lexicon Form and Nuance in Koine Greek ὡσπερεὶ (hōsperei) supplies a comparative particle that softens an assertion, meaning “as though,” “as it were,” or “almost.” It invites readers to picture a statement not as absolute but as illustrative. The term is rare and rhetorical, heightening vividness while signaling humility or approximation. Single New Testament Occurrence: 1 Corinthians 15:8 “and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one untimely born.” (1 Corinthians 15:8) Paul appends ὡσπερεὶ to describe himself “as to one untimely born,” linking two striking ideas: 1. His encounter with the risen Christ stands on equal footing with earlier appearances. Theological Themes Highlighted • Grace beyond precedent – Paul’s apostleship, though “untimely,” still issues from God’s sovereign choice (Galatians 1:15-16). Rhetorical Value in Pauline Argument By introducing an almost-imagery (ὡσπερεὶ), Paul disarms critics. He concedes apparent anomaly while insisting on factual reality. The device parallels his “as poor, yet making many rich” (2 Corinthians 6:10), showing consistent use of comparative nuance to deepen persuasion without surrendering truth. Historical Reception John Chrysostom heard in ὡσπερεὶ the echo of a child “snatched from the womb,” elevating divine mercy. Augustine saw a reminder that no sinner is beyond grace’s reach. Reformers such as Calvin cited the term to stress that extraordinary conversions remain fully authentic. Echoes of Untimely Birth across Scripture • Premature or miraculous births (Isaac, Samuel, John the Baptist) signal God’s redemptive initiative. Implications for Ministry Today 1. Humble self-assessment: Leaders acknowledge unworthiness while embracing divine appointment. Forms and Transliterations ωσπερει ὡσπερεὶ ωσπερί hosperei hospereì hōsperei hōspereì osperei ōspereiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 15:8 AdvGRK: δὲ πάντων ὡσπερεὶ τῷ ἐκτρώματι KJV: of me also, as of one born out of due time. INT: moreover of all as the untimely birth |
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