Lexical Summary hélikia: Age, stature, maturity Original Word: ἡλικία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance age, stature. From the same as helikos; maturity (in years or size) -- age, stature. see GREEK helikos HELPS Word-studies 2244 hēlikía (from hēlix, "full-aged") – properly, the end-stage of a full life-span (Mt 6:27; Jn 9:21,23; Heb 11:11, etc.). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hélix (of the same age, mature) Definition maturity, i.e. age NASB Translation age (2), life (2), life's span (1), stature (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2244: ἡλικίαἡλικία, ἡλικίας, ἡ (ἧλιξ mature, of full age, Homer, Odyssey 18, 373 (others of the same age; cf. Ebeling, Lex. Homer under the word; Papes Lexicon under the word)); from Homer down; 1. age, time of life; a. universally: Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:25 (in these passages, 'term or length of life'; but others refer them to 2 below; see Field, Otium Norv. Pars iii., p. 4; James Morison, Commentary on Matthew, the passage cited) cf. πῆχυς, and DeWette, Meyer, Bleek on Matthew, the passage cited; παρά καιρόν ἡλικίας, beyond the proper stage of life (A. V. past age), Hebrews 11:11 (2 Macc. 4:40; 4 Macc. 5:4). b. adult age, maturity: ἔχειν ἡλικίαν (A. V. to be of age), John 9:21, 23. c. suitable age for anything; with the genitive of the thing for which it is fit: τοῦ γάμου, Demosthenes; τοῦ ἤδη φρονεῖν, Plato, Eryx., p. 396 b.; metaphorically, of an attained state of mind fit for a thing: τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, the age in which we are fitted to receive the fullness (see πλήρωμα, 1) of Christ, Ephesians 4:13 (others refer this to 2; cf. Ellicott, in the place cited). 2. stature (Demosthenes, Plutarch, others): τῇ ἡλικία μικρός, Luke 19:3; προκόπτειν ἡλικία, i. e. in height and comeliness of stature (Bengel, justam proceritatem nactus est et decoram), Luke 2:52; cf. Meyer, Bleek, at the passage. The noun ἡλικία (hēlikia) embraces both physical stature and the span or stage of life. Its flexible sense allows writers to highlight literal height (Luke 19:3), the passing of years (Hebrews 11:11), or full-grown maturity and completeness (Ephesians 4:13). In every setting it invites reflection on growth—whether bodily, chronological, or spiritual. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 6:27; Luke 2:52; Luke 12:25; Luke 19:3; John 9:21; John 9:23; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 11:11. Growth and Favor in the Life of Jesus (Luke 2:52) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Ἡλικία here depicts Jesus’ natural physical development, inseparably joined to wisdom and divine favor. The verse models balanced growth—mental, physical, spiritual, relational—setting the pattern for discipleship that seeks whole-person maturity. Human Limitation Exposed by Worry (Matthew 6:27; Luke 12:25) “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” By using ἡλικία, Jesus underscores that anxious striving cannot lengthen life’s span or height. The word underscores human finitude, amplifying the call to trust the Father’s providence. Physical Stature and Spiritual Insight (Luke 19:3) “He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature.” Zacchaeus’ limited ἡλικία becomes the doorway to a life-changing encounter. The narrative uses literal height to dramatize spiritual shortfall and the grace that overcomes it. Accountability in Adulthood (John 9:21, 23) “He is old enough; ask him.” Here ἡλικία marks the legal and moral responsibility of adulthood. The healed man must testify personally to the work of Christ, showing that spiritual witness cannot be outsourced—even parents cannot stand in his place. The Church’s Goal: Christlike Maturity (Ephesians 4:13) “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.” Paul raises ἡλικία from mere physical or chronological markers to the supreme standard: the measured fullness of Christ Himself. Corporate growth toward this ideal guards against doctrinal instability (4:14) and fosters every-member ministry (4:16). Faith Beyond Natural Limits (Hebrews 11:11) “By faith Sarah, even though she was past the age, received power to conceive.” Ἡλικία stresses the impossibility of childbearing at Sarah’s stage of life, magnifying the power of God who overrides natural constraints for those who trust His word. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Time and Growth: Human efforts cannot extend ἡλικία; God alone governs life’s boundaries. Historical and Cultural Background Greco-Roman society marked distinct life stages (παιδίον, νεανίσκος, ἀνήρ/γυνή, πρεσβύτης). Ἡλικία functioned as the umbrella term for these phases, denoting the social expectations tied to each. Rabbinic sources required a man of full age to answer for himself—an assumption evident in John 9. In Hellenistic moral philosophy, achieving the “prime of life” signified virtues such as self-control and courage; the New Testament redirects such aspirations toward conformity to Christ. Practical Implications for Ministry • Discipleship programs should target holistic growth—mind, body, spirit, relationships—mirroring Jesus’ progress in Luke 2:52. Summary Ἡλικία spans the literal and figurative dimensions of human growth, appearing at key moments where the Gospel rewrites what it means to mature, to wait, and to trust. Whether expressing the perfect development of the Savior, the futility of anxious striving, or the church’s collective journey toward Christlike fullness, the term calls believers to rest in God’s timetable while pressing toward spiritual maturity. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:27 N-AFSGRK: ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν NAS: add a [single] hour to his life? KJV: unto his stature? INT: to the life span of him hour Luke 2:52 N-DFS Luke 12:25 N-AFS Luke 19:3 N-DFS John 9:21 N-AFS John 9:23 N-AFS Ephesians 4:13 N-GFS Hebrews 11:11 N-GFS Strong's Greek 2244 |
    |