Lexical Summary apokruphos: Hidden, concealed Original Word: ἀπόκρυφος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hidden, kept secret. From apokrupto; secret; by implication, treasured -- hid, kept secret. see GREEK apokrupto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apokruptó Definition hidden NASB Translation hidden (1), secret (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 614: ἀπόκρυφοςἀπόκρυφος, ἀπόκρυφον (ἀποκρύπτω), hidden, secreted: Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17. stored up: Colossians 2:3. (Daniel 11:43 (Theod.); Isaiah 45:3; 1 Macc. 1:23; Xenophon, Euripides; (cf. Lightfoot on the word, Colossians, the passage cited and Ignatius i. 351f).) Topical Lexicon Biblical portrait of concealment and revelationThe verb ἀποκρύπτω describes deliberate hiding or concealing, never as an end in itself but always in tension with the certainty that God will eventually uncover what He chooses. Scripture holds concealment and disclosure in a divinely ordered sequence: first the hiddenness that tests hearts, then the unveiling that glorifies Christ and judges motives. Occurrences in the New Testament “For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.” “For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.” “…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” These three settings allow the word to serve two complementary emphases: kingdom exposure of secret things (Mark and Luke) and the rich concealment of divine wisdom in Christ (Colossians). Hidden wisdom stored in Christ (Colossians 2:3) Paul warns the Colossian believers against plausible yet empty philosophies (Colossians 2:4–8). His antidote is not merely more information but a Person—Christ—in whom every treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden. The concealment here is protective and purposeful: it guards the riches of redemption from counterfeit substitutes and invites seekers to plumb the depths of the gospel. Unlike esoteric religions that restrict access, the wisdom hidden in Christ is freely disclosed to those united with Him (1 Corinthians 2:7–10; Ephesians 1:9). Kingdom parables and the exposure of secret things (Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17) Jesus speaks these words immediately after the Parable of the Sower. The seed that germinates in receptive soil represents the word that penetrates the hidden depths of the heart. What is concealed within the soil (or the conscience) will not remain so. At the final harvest, fruit—or its absence—will be unmistakable. The promise of exposure serves both as warning and comfort: hypocritical concealment will be unmasked, while faithful perseverance, though unnoticed now, will be openly vindicated (Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5). Old Testament background • Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes “secret things” that belong to the Lord from “things revealed” that belong to His people. These texts prepare the biblical theology of ἀποκρύπτω: God conceals in order to reveal at the right moment. Theological themes 1. Divine omniscience No secret escapes the gaze of the Lord (Hebrews 4:13). ἀποκρύπτω underscores that hiddenness is relative—unknown to humans, never unknown to God. 2. Moral accountability Because the concealed will be disclosed, disciples live transparently before God and neighbor (2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 John 1:7). 3. Eschatological unveiling Final judgment entails universal disclosure (Revelation 20:12). The resurrection itself is termed an “uncovering” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). 4. Mystery and revelation in salvation history The gospel once hidden is now revealed through the prophetic writings and apostolic preaching (Romans 16:25–26; Ephesians 3:5). Historical interpretation Early church teachers stressed that God veils truth to cultivate humility and dependency. Athanasius viewed Christ as the treasury whose contents become accessible only through union with Him. Reformers echoed this, contrasting the open proclamation of Scripture with the secretive claims of false teachers. Pastoral and practical implications • Preaching: proclaim Christ as the locus of all wisdom, urging listeners to seek Him rather than speculative philosophies. Summary Strong’s Greek 614 envelopes a profound paradox: treasures that are “hidden” in Christ for the believer’s discovery, and secrets that are “hidden” in human hearts awaiting inevitable disclosure. Both dynamics magnify the glory of God, who conceals in order to reveal, and who calls the church to live in the light of His searching and gracious truth. Forms and Transliterations απόκρυφα αποκρυφοι απόκρυφοι ἀπόκρυφοι αποκρύφοις αποκρυφον απόκρυφον ἀπόκρυφον αποκρύφους αποκρύφω apokruphoi apokruphon apokryphoi apókryphoi apokryphon apókryphonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 4:22 Adj-NNSGRK: οὐδὲ ἐγένετο ἀπόκρυφον ἀλλ' ἵνα NAS: has [anything] been secret, but that it would come KJV: was any thing kept secret, but INT: nor has taken place a secret thing but that Luke 8:17 Adj-NNS Colossians 2:3 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 614 |
    |