Lexical Summary
pantós: Certainly, surely, by all means, altogether, at all events
Original Word: πάντως
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: pantós
Pronunciation: pan-tos'
Phonetic Spelling: (pan'-toce)
KJV: by all means, altogether, at all, needs, no doubt, in (no) wise, surely
NASB: all, all means, altogether, certainly, no doubt, undoubtedly
Word Origin: [adverb from G3956 (πᾶς - all)]
1. entirely
2. (specially) at all events
3. (with negative, following) in no event
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
altogether, by all means, no doubt.
Adverb from pas; entirely; specially, at all events, (with negative, following) in no event -- by all means, altogether, at all, needs, no doubt, in (no) wise, surely.
see GREEK pas
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originadverb from
pasDefinitionaltogether, by all means
NASB Translationall (3), all means (1), altogether (1), certainly (1), no doubt (1), undoubtedly (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3843: πάντωςπάντως (from
πᾶς), adverb,
altogether (Latin
omnino), i. e.
a. in any and every way, by all means: 1 Corinthians 9:22 (so from Herodotus down).
b. doubtless, surely, certainly: Luke 4:23; Acts 18:21 (Rec.); ; 1 Corinthians 9:10 (Tobit 14:8; Aelian v. h. 1, 32; by Plato in answers (cf. our colloquial by all means)). with the negative οὐ, α. where οὐ is postpositive, in no wise, not at all: 1 Corinthians 16:12 (often so as far back as Homer). β. when the negative precedes, the force of the adverb is restricted: οὐ πάντως, not entirely, not altogether, 1 Corinthians 5:10; not in all things, not in all respects, Romans 3:9; (rarely equivalent to πάντως οὐ, as in Ep. ad Diogn. 9 [ET] 'God οὐ πάντως ἐφηδόμενος τοῖς ἁμαρτήμασιν ἡμῶν.' Likewise, οὐδέν πάντως in Herodotus 5, 34. But in Theognis, 305 edition, Bekker οἱ κακοί οὐ πάντως κακοί ἐκ γαστρός γεγόνασι κτλ. is best translated not wholly, not entirely. Cf. Winers Grammar, 554f (515f); Buttmann, 389f (334f) (on whose interpretation of Romans, the passage cited, although it is that now generally adopted, see Weiss in Meyer 6te Aufl.)).
Topical Lexicon
Overview Strong’s Greek 3843 (pántōs) functions as an intensifying adverb that underscores absoluteness, inevitability, or comprehensive scope. Whether conveying “surely,” “certainly,” “by all means,” or “not at all,” the term heightens the force of a statement, reinforcing either its undeniable certainty or its total exclusion. Its nine New Testament appearances display a consistent pattern: when speakers need to remove all doubt or to press the urgent necessity of an action, this word is chosen.
Occurrences in Narrative Contexts
• Luke 4:23 – In Nazareth, Jesus says, “Surely you will quote this proverb to Me…”. The adverb signals the absolute certainty of the crowd’s skeptical reaction, demonstrating Christ’s foreknowledge and reinforcing His prophetic authority.
• Acts 18:21 – Paul, parting from the synagogue at Ephesus, pledges, “I must by all means keep the coming feast in Jerusalem…”. Here the word communicates non-negotiable obligation, showing Paul’s respect for Jewish festal worship while submitting his itinerary to God’s will (“if God is willing”).
• Acts 21:22 – James and the Jerusalem elders warn Paul, “They will certainly hear that you have come.”. The assured inevitability of rumor spreading in Jerusalem necessitates prudent pastoral strategy, prompting the advice that follows.
• Acts 28:4 – The Maltese observe the viper on Paul’s hand and declare, “Surely this man is a murderer.”. Their pagan interpretation of divine justice is stated with unwavering certainty, setting the stage for God’s vindication of Paul before Gentiles.
Occurrences in Doctrinal and Pastoral Teaching
• Romans 3:9 – “What then? Are we any better? Not at all!”. By flipping the adverb to its negative force, Paul decisively levels Jews and Greeks under universal sin, paving the way for the gospel’s all-inclusive remedy (Romans 3:21-26).
• 1 Corinthians 5:10 – Paul clarifies that separation from immorality does “not at all” mean leaving the world. The word guards the church from monastic withdrawal while preserving holiness within the fellowship.
• 1 Corinthians 9:10 – “Is it not certainly for us that He says this?”. Paul anchors his right to material support in Scripture, asserting that the Mosaic law was “surely” written with gospel workers in mind.
• 1 Corinthians 9:22 – “…so that by all possible means I might save some.”. The adverb, coupled with the plural “means,” captures Paul’s flexible evangelistic methods, bounded only by fidelity to truth and morality.
• 1 Corinthians 16:12 – Concerning Apollos, “he was not at all willing to go to you now”. Paul’s respectful report models transparent leadership: personal reluctance is stated emphatically, yet future openness remains (“he will go when he has the opportunity”).
Theological Significance
1. Certainty of Divine Truth – When Scripture affirms or denies a proposition “surely/not at all,” the reader is invited to rest in the absolute reliability of God’s revelation (Luke 4:23; Romans 3:9).
2. Necessity in Obedience – Paul’s “by all means” (Acts 18:21) and “by all possible means” (1 Corinthians 9:22) underscore that true obedience may require radical prioritizing of mission above convenience.
3. Comprehensive Scope – The universality of sin (Romans 3:9) and the breadth of evangelistic adaptability (1 Corinthians 9:22) reveal two sides of the same coin: humanity’s total need answered by the gospel’s total reach.
Historical and Ministry Insights
• Missional Flexibility – Early apostolic travel (Acts 18:21) and tactical decisions (Acts 21:22) illustrate Spirit-guided adaptability, a principle that has marked faithful mission work through church history.
• Apologetic Value – Paul’s acquittal from the Maltese charge (Acts 28:4-6) provided eye-witness testimony of divine preservation, bolstering the gospel’s credibility among unreached peoples.
• Ecclesial Boundaries – 1 Corinthians 5:10 helps the church navigate cultural engagement without moral compromise, a tension revisited in every generation.
Practical Application for Today
1. Speak with Conviction – Use language that reflects the certainty of God’s promises and warnings.
2. Hold Plans Lightly – Like Paul, pursue ministry goals “by all means,” yet submit every itinerary to the Lord’s sovereign leading.
3. Engage the World Wisely – Do not retreat from society, but maintain holiness within the covenant community, remembering the emphatic “not at all” of 1 Corinthians 5:10.
4. Adapt for the Sake of the Gospel – Embrace Paul’s example of becoming “all things to all men,” employing every legitimate strategy so that, by God’s grace, “some” might be saved.
Summary
Strong’s Greek 3843 reinforces Scripture’s claims with emphatic clarity, whether affirming a truth, denying an error, or urging resolute action. Its nine occurrences trace a line from the unwavering authority of Christ’s words, through the strategic decisions of the apostles, to the doctrinal bedrock of mankind’s universal need and the church’s universal mission. In every context, the adverb serves the larger biblical theme: God’s certain purposes accomplished by His servants through wholehearted, all-embracing obedience.
Forms and Transliterations
Παντως Πάντως πάπυρον πάπυρος παπύρου Pantos Pantōs Pántos PántōsLinks
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