Lexical Summary né: Truly, indeed, yes Original Word: νέ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by, as sure asProbably an intensive form of nai; a particle of attestation (accompanied by the object invoked or appealed to in confirmation); as sure as -- I protest by. see GREEK nai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably an intens. form of nai Definition by (a particle of affirmation employed in oaths) NASB Translation affirm (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3513: νήνή, a particle employed in affirmations and oaths (common in Attic), and joined to an accusative of the person (for the most part, a divinity) or of the thing affirmed or sworn by (Buttmann, § 149, 17); by (Latinper, German bei): 1 Corinthians 15:31 (Genesis 42:15f). Topical Lexicon Semantic and Linguistic Background The particle conveyed solemn affirmation in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine usage, introducing an oath that calls upon a person, object, or circumstance as witness. Its presence signals that the speaker wishes to remove all doubt about the truthfulness of what follows. Occurrence in Scripture The New Testament employs the particle once, in 1 Corinthians 15:31, where the Apostle Paul assures the Corinthians of the peril and self-denial he endures for the gospel. The Pauline Oath in 1 Corinthians 15:31 “Every day I face death, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:31) Paul invokes the Corinthians’ own “boast”—their confidence in his ministry in Christ—as the witness to his statement. The oath functions pastorally, stressing how deeply resurrection hope shapes his life. By staking his declaration on something the readers themselves regard highly, Paul heightens the urgency of his argument that bodily resurrection is essential to the faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-34). Theological Implications 1. Veracity and Integrity: Scripture consistently upholds truth-telling; the particle highlights the seriousness with which believers ought to speak (Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:25). Historical Context of Oath Language Greco-Roman society frequently relied on oaths for legal and social transactions, while the Old Testament permits carefully governed oaths (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21). Yet Jesus redirected His disciples toward simple truthfulness (Matthew 5:33-37). Paul’s rare employment of a formal oath here therefore stands out, functioning not as casual speech but as an exceptional rhetorical device meant to strengthen the hearers’ faith. Ministry Significance • Accountability: Spiritual leaders today may legitimately use solemn affirmation when the gravity of a matter demands, provided it is done reverently and sparingly. Related Biblical Principles Matthew 5:37; James 5:12 – Encourage straightforward honesty, limiting oaths to situations of genuine necessity. Hebrews 6:17 – God Himself used an oath to confirm His promise, demonstrating that such affirmations, when employed appropriately, carry weighty covenantal significance. Forms and Transliterations νη νὴ ne nē nḕLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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