2081. esóthen
Lexical Summary
esóthen: Within, inside, inwardly

Original Word: ἔσωθεν
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: esóthen
Pronunciation: eh'-so-then
Phonetic Spelling: (es'-o-then)
KJV: inward(-ly), (from) within, without
NASB: inside, within, inwardly
Word Origin: [from G2080 (ἔσω - inner)]

1. from inside
{also used as equivalent to G2080 (inside)}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
inwardly, from within.

From eso; from inside; also used as equivalent to eso (inside) -- inward(-ly), (from) within, without.

see GREEK eso

see GREEK eso

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from esó
Definition
from within
NASB Translation
inside (6), inwardly (2), within (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2081: ἔσωθεν

ἔσωθεν (ἔσω), adverb of place, from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; (1. adverbially;)

a. from within (Vulg. de intus, ab intus, intrinsecus, (etc.)): Mark 7:21, 23; Luke 11:7; 2 Corinthians 7:5.

b. within (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 7): Matthew 7:15; Matthew 23:25, 27, 28; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 5:1 (cf. γράφω, 3); ἔσωθεν ἄνθρωπος, 2 Corinthians 4:16 R G (see ἔσω, 2); τό ἔσωθεν, that which is within, the inside, Luke 11:40; with the genitive of person equivalent to your soul, Luke 11:39. (2. as a preposition with the genitive (W § 54, 6): Revelation 11:2 Rec.st (see ἔξωθεν, 2).)

Topical Lexicon
Usage Overview

Strong’s 2081 occurs twelve times, uniformly describing that which is “inside,” “from within,” or “inward.” Whether exposing hypocrisy, revealing the seat of sin, portraying domestic life, or unveiling heavenly glory, the word presses readers to look beyond appearances to the realities God sees.

Jesus’ Teaching on Authentic Righteousness

1. Matthew 7:15 – False prophets appear “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” The term contrasts deceptive outward gentleness with a predatory inner nature.
2. Matthew 23:25–28 – Fourfold use in Christ’s woes exposes religious leaders who cleanse “the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” and who appear “beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones.” The Lord insists that righteousness must begin within; only then can the outside be truly clean.

Moral Corruption Originating in the Heart

Mark 7:21, 23 – “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality…”. Jesus overturns ritual notions of defilement, locating sin’s source in the inner person. This underscores the necessity of regeneration, not merely reformation.

Domestic Illustration of Dependence on Grace

Luke 11:7 – In the parable of the persistent friend, the sleeping father answers from within the house, highlighting both the intimacy of the relationship and the initial barrier to aid. Persistent prayer moves the One who dwells “within” to open the door.

Hypocrisy Unmasked in Table Fellowship

Luke 11:39–40 – When the Pharisee marvels that Jesus did not ceremonially wash, Christ exposes inner uncleanness: “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness”. The focus returns to God’s priority—the heart.

Pastoral Conflict and Inner Turmoil

2 Corinthians 7:5 – “Conflicts on the outside, fears within.” Paul distinguishes external opposition from internal anxiety, validating the emotional weight carried in ministry and the sufficiency of divine comfort (7:6).

Heavenly Realities in Apocalyptic Vision

Revelation 4:8 – The four living creatures are “full of eyes around and within,” portraying perfect, all-sided perception in unceasing worship.

Revelation 5:1 – The seven-sealed scroll is written “inside and on the back,” emphasizing completeness and divine authorship; nothing is left unwritten within the purposes of God.

Theological Significance of the Inner Life

1. True righteousness proceeds from a transformed heart (Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 2:29).
2. Sin’s root lies within; external law exposes but cannot cure (Romans 7:22–23).
3. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, creating an inner sanctuary (1 Corinthians 6:19).
4. Worship acceptable to God is “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching and counseling must aim at heart transformation, not mere behavioral adjustment.
• Self-examination guards against the subtlety of hypocrisy; leaders especially must heed Christ’s woes.
• Pastors should acknowledge “fears within” and seek comfort from God who “encourages the downcast” (2 Corinthians 7:6).
• Corporate worship should foster sincere, undivided devotion, mirroring the heavenly pattern of praise “around and within.”

Historical Reflection

Early church fathers employed 2081 to warn against Gnostic dualism—affirming that the inner and outer person must be consistently aligned in truth. Medieval mystics drew on the term to emphasize interior prayer, while Reformers stressed justification that begins within by faith yet manifests outwardly in works.

Implications for Contemporary Discipleship

Believers are called to guard the heart, cultivate integrity, and pursue holiness that flows from the indwelling Word and Spirit. The twelve occurrences of 2081 collectively remind the church that God’s gaze penetrates “within,” that sin’s cure must reach the core, and that eternal glory is already written on the inside pages of His sovereign scroll.

Forms and Transliterations
εσωθεν έσωθεν ἔσωθεν εσώτατα εσωτάτου εσωτέραν εσώτερον esothen esōthen ésothen ésōthen
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 7:15 Adv
GRK: ἐνδύμασιν προβάτων ἔσωθεν δέ εἰσιν
NAS: clothing, but inwardly are ravenous
KJV: but inwardly they are
INT: clothing of sheep inwardly moreover they are

Matthew 23:25 Adv
GRK: τῆς παροψίδος ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν
NAS: and of the dish, but inside they are full
KJV: but within they are full
INT: of the dish inside however they are full

Matthew 23:27 Adv
GRK: φαίνονται ὡραῖοι ἔσωθεν δὲ γέμουσιν
NAS: beautiful, but inside they are full
KJV: outward, but are within full of dead
INT: appear beautiful inside however they are full

Matthew 23:28 Adv
GRK: ἀνθρώποις δίκαιοι ἔσωθεν δέ ἐστε
NAS: to men, but inwardly you are full
KJV: unto men, but within ye are full
INT: to men righteous inwardly however you are

Mark 7:21 Adv
GRK: ἔσωθεν γὰρ ἐκ
NAS: For from within, out of the heart
KJV: For from within, out of the heart
INT: within indeed out of

Mark 7:23 Adv
GRK: τὰ πονηρὰ ἔσωθεν ἐκπορεύεται καὶ
NAS: proceed from within and defile
KJV: come from within, and
INT: evils from within go forth and

Luke 11:7 Adv
GRK: κἀκεῖνος ἔσωθεν ἀποκριθεὶς εἴπῃ
NAS: and from inside he answers and says,
KJV: And he from within shall answer
INT: and he from within having answered will say

Luke 11:39 Adv
GRK: τὸ δὲ ἔσωθεν ὑμῶν γέμει
NAS: and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full
KJV: your inward part is full
INT: and [the] inside of you is full

Luke 11:40 Adv
GRK: καὶ τὸ ἔσωθεν ἐποίησεν
NAS: the outside make the inside also?
KJV: make that which is within also?
INT: also the inside make

2 Corinthians 7:5 Adv
GRK: ἔξωθεν μάχαι ἔσωθεν φόβοι
NAS: without, fears within.
KJV: [were] fightings, within [were] fears.
INT: on the outside contentions within fears

Revelation 4:8 Adv
GRK: κυκλόθεν καὶ ἔσωθεν γέμουσιν ὀφθαλμῶν
NAS: around and within; and day
KJV: of eyes within: and
INT: around and within full of eyes

Revelation 5:1 Adv
GRK: βιβλίον γεγραμμένον ἔσωθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν
NAS: written inside and on the back,
KJV: written within and
INT: a book written inside and on [the] back

Strong's Greek 2081
12 Occurrences


ἔσωθεν — 12 Occ.

2080
Top of Page
Top of Page