Lexical Summary artios: Complete, perfect, fully equipped Original Word: ἄρτιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance perfect, completeFrom arti; fresh, i.e. (by implication) complete -- perfect. see GREEK arti HELPS Word-studies 739 ártios (from 737 /árti, "now," viewed in terms of the present, i.e. "the here-and-now") – properly, ready now, prepared to function (efficiently) in the immediate present. 739 /ártios ("ready-because-prepared") is only used in 2 Tim 3:17, "So that the man of God may be adequate (739 /ártios), equipped for every good work" (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arti Definition fitted, complete NASB Translation adequate (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 739: ἄρτιοςἄρτιος, ἀρτια, ἀρτιον (ἈΡΩ to fit (cf. Curtius, § 488)); 1. fitted. 2. complete, perfect (having reference apparently to 'special aptitude for given uses'); so 2 Timothy 3:17 (cf. Ellicott at the passage; Trench, § xxii.). (In Greek writings from Homer down.) Appearing only once in the Greek New Testament, ἄρτιος (Strong’s 739) expresses the idea of being sound, entire, and fully qualified for a task. Its single occurrence in 2 Timothy 3:17 sets it within Paul’s final instructions to his protégé, giving the term great weight for pastoral formation and for every believer’s growth. Biblical context and usage 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” The word translated “complete” (ἄρτιος) stands at the climax of Paul’s description of the sufficiency of Scripture. It portrays Timothy—as representative of all servants of Christ—as thoroughly furnished for the full range of ministry responsibilities. Scriptural sufficiency Because ἄρτιος is tied directly to the effect of “all Scripture,” the word has long been cited in discussions of the Bible’s adequacy to prepare believers for life and service. It teaches that Scripture does not merely contribute to readiness; it supplies everything necessary for maturity and effectiveness. The man or woman yielded to God’s Word lacks nothing essential. Equipping of the man of God Paul couples ἄρτιος with the participle ἐξηρτισμένος (“fully equipped”) to emphasize both internal qualification and external outfitting. Together they depict a craftsman whose tools are in order and whose skill has been honed. For pastors, teachers, missionaries, and parents alike, immersion in the Word fashions both character and competence. Historical interpretation • Early church writers such as Chrysostom appealed to 2 Timothy 3:17 to encourage continual reading of Scripture, arguing that it alone makes a believer “perfectly fitted” for every circumstance. Ministry implications 1. Preaching and teaching: Consistent exposition of Scripture is the primary means God uses to bring congregations to full maturity. Parallels in wider Greek usage In classical and Hellenistic literature the adjective described a body or object that was sound, of full measure, or perfectly adapted to its purpose. Paul employs the common term in a distinctively theological sense: only Scripture imparts this integrity of life and ministry. Relationship to related New Testament terms While τέλειος (5046) stresses moral or eschatological perfection, ἄρτιος highlights operational readiness here and now. Together with καταρτίζω (2675, “to equip”) and ἐξηρτίζω (1822, “to outfit fully”), the vocabulary paints a comprehensive picture of God preparing His servants both inwardly and outwardly. Practical application for believers today • Devotional intake: Systematic reading, meditation, and memorization foster the completeness denoted by ἄρτιος. Summary ἄρτιος declares that God’s breathed-out Word produces believers who are sound in character and fully prepared in capability. The term anchors Christian confidence that Scripture, when believed and obeyed, makes God’s people adequate for every assignment in His service. |
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