Berean Strong's Lexicon melos: Member, part, limb Original Word: μέλος Word Origin: Derived from a primary word (through the idea of a limb or part of the body) Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "melos," the concept of body parts or members can be related to Hebrew words like אֵבֶר (eber, Strong's H101) meaning "limb" or "member." Usage: In the New Testament, "melos" is used to refer to a part or member of the body, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It often describes the physical limbs of a human body, but it is also used metaphorically to describe members of the body of Christ, the Church. This dual usage underscores the interconnectedness and interdependence of believers within the Christian community. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, the concept of the body and its parts was significant in both philosophical and medical contexts. The body was often seen as a microcosm of society, with each part having a specific role and function. This understanding is reflected in the New Testament's use of "melos" to describe the Church as the body of Christ, where each believer has a unique role and function. HELPS Word-studies 3196 mélos – properly, a member (part) belonging to the whole; (figuratively) any function of human personality, such as "sanctified imagination" (Ro 6:13; Col 3:5; Js 4:1). 3196 (mélos) also specifically refers to believers as part (members) of Christ's mystical body (Eph 5:30). [3196 (mélos) was used in antiquity of instruments of war and implements ("working parts") of a ship. Paul used it in relation to the various functions of human personality.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a member or limb (of the body) NASB Translation member (4), members (27), part (1), parts (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3196: μέλοςμέλος, μελους, τό (from Homer down), a member, limb: properly, a member of the human body, Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 18-20, 25; James 3:5; τά μελα τοῦ σώματος, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 22; μου, σου, ἡμῶν, ὑμῶν, Matthew 5:29; Romans 6:13, 19; Romans 7:5, 23; Colossians 3:5; James 3:6; James 4:1; πόρνης μέλη is said of bodies given up to criminal intercourse, because they are as it were members belonging to the harlot's body, 1 Corinthians 6:15. Since Christians are closely united by the bond of one and the same spirit both among themselves and with Christ as the head, their fellowship is likened to the body, and individual Christians are metaphorically, styled μέλη — now one of another, ἀλλήλων: Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25; Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 46, 7 [ET] (cf. Fritzsche, Commentary on Romans iii., p. 45) — now of the mystical body, i. e. the church: 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:30 (cf. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body -- member. Forms and Transliterations μέλει μέλεσί μελεσιν μέλεσιν μέλεσίν μελη μέλη μελος μέλος μελων μελών μελῶν mele melē méle mélē melesin mélesin mélesín melon melôn melōn melō̂n melos mélosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:29 N-GNPGRK: ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου καὶ NAS: one of the parts of your body, than KJV: one of thy members should perish, and INT: one of the members of you and Matthew 5:30 N-GNP Romans 6:13 N-ANP Romans 6:13 N-ANP Romans 6:19 N-ANP Romans 6:19 N-ANP Romans 7:5 N-DNP Romans 7:23 N-DNP Romans 7:23 N-DNP Romans 12:4 N-ANP Romans 12:4 N-NNP Romans 12:5 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 6:15 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 6:15 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 6:15 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 12:12 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 12:12 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 12:14 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 12:18 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 12:19 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 12:20 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 12:22 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 12:25 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 12:26 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 12:26 N-NNP Strong's Greek 3196 |