Lexical Summary anthrópinos: Human, pertaining to man Original Word: ἀνθρώπινος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance human, common to man. From anthropos; human -- human, common to man, man(-kind), (man-)kind, men's, after the manner of men. see GREEK anthropos HELPS Word-studies 442 anthrṓpinos (from 444 /ánthrōpos, "mankind, relating to human nature") – properly, human ("of mankind/human-kind"); (figuratively) what is limited (finite), i.e. confined to human effort (experience). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anthrópos Definition human NASB Translation human (5), human terms (1), such as is common to man (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 442: ἀνθρώπινοςἀνθρώπινος, ἀνθρωπίνῃ, ἀνθρώπινον (ἄνθρωπος), (from Herodotus down), human; applied to things belonging to men: χεῖρες, Acts 17:25 L T Tr WH; φύσις, James 3:7; or instituted by men: κτίσις, (which see 3), 1 Peter 2:13; adjusted to the strength of man: πειρασμός (R. V. a temptation such as than can bear), 1 Corinthians 10:13 (cf. Neander (and Heinrici) at the passage; Pollux 3, 27, 131 ὁ οὐκ ἄν τίς ὑπομενειεν, ὁ οὐκ ἄν τίς ἐνέγκῃ ... τό δέ ἐναντίον, κοῦφον, ἐυφορον, ὀιστον, ἀνθρώπινον, ἀνεκτον). Opposite to divine things, with the implied idea of defect or weakness: 1 Corinthians 2:4 Rec.; 13 (σοφία, originating with man); 1 Corinthians 4:3 (ἀνθρωπίνῃ ἡμέρα the judicial day of men, i. e. human judgment). ἀνθρώπινον λέγω, Romans 6:19 (I say what is human, speak as is usual among men, who do not always suitably weigh the force of their words; by this expression the apostle apologizes for the use of the phrase δουλωθῆναι τῇ δικαιοσύνη). Topical Lexicon Summary of Usage Strong’s Greek 442 (anthrópinos) occurs seven times in the New Testament. In each setting the word underscores the difference between what is merely human and what is divine, eternal, or authoritative in Christ. Its range includes “human hands,” “human wisdom,” “human court,” “human authority,” “human terms,” and that which is “common to man.” Human Origin versus Divine Source Acts 17:25: “Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything.” Paul’s Areopagus sermon dismisses the notion that God depends on man-made religion. Anything restricted to anthrópinos origin cannot supply or sustain the living God. 1 Corinthians 2:13: “...not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit.” The gospel’s content and communication are Spirit-sourced; anthrópinos reasoning alone cannot apprehend divine truth. Application: Preaching and teaching must rest on Scripture and Spirit rather than secular technique or philosophical flair. Human Limitation and Reliance on God 1 Corinthians 4:3: “It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court.” Apostolic confidence rests in the Lord’s verdict, not anthrópinos tribunals. Romans 6:19: “I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.” Paul condescends to human capacity, illustrating how slavery to righteousness replaces slavery to sin. Ministry implication: Communicators accommodate finite listeners, yet press them beyond anthrópinos weakness to Spirit-empowered holiness. Submission to Human Institutions 1 Peter 2:13: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority.” The call to honor civil structures (emperors, governors) is anchored “for the Lord’s sake.” Obedience to anthrópinos institutions becomes a witness to the reality of Christ’s kingdom, so long as such obedience does not conflict with God’s higher commands (Acts 5:29). Commonality of Human Experience 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful...” Temptation’s sphere is anthrópinos—limited to humanity—but God’s faithfulness is limitless. The verse both humbles (all believers face ordinary pressures) and encourages (God limits and provides escape). James 3:7: “All kinds of animals... have been tamed by mankind.” Human ingenuity subdues creation, yet the tongue remains untamed (James 3:8), exposing moral impotence and our need for divine transformation. Historical Backdrop In the Greco-Roman world, anthrópinos could laud human achievement in philosophy or civic life. The New Testament writers invert this cultural pride, highlighting humanity’s insufficiency before a holy God. Whether addressing Stoic self-sufficiency in Athens, Roman legalism in Corinth, or imperial power in Asia Minor, Scripture insists that what is anthrópinos is subordinate to divine revelation and grace. Ministry Application • Guard against relying on anthrópinos wisdom in sermon crafting; root exposition in God-breathed Scripture. Anthrópinos thus serves as a recurring reminder: humanity is honored as God’s image-bearer yet radically dependent on His grace, wisdom, and ultimate authority. Forms and Transliterations ανθρωπινη ανθρωπίνη ἀνθρωπίνῃ ανθρωπινης ανθρωπίνης ἀνθρωπίνης ανθρωπινον ανθρώπινον ἀνθρώπινον ανθρωπινος ανθρώπινος ανθρώπινός ἀνθρώπινος ανθρωπίνου ανθρωπινων ανθρωπίνων ἀνθρωπίνων anthropine anthrōpinē anthropínei anthrōpínēi anthropines anthropínes anthrōpinēs anthrōpínēs anthropinon anthropínon anthrōpinon anthrōpinōn anthrōpínōn anthrṓpinon anthropinos anthrōpinos anthrṓpinosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 17:25 Adj-GMPGRK: ὑπὸ χειρῶν ἀνθρωπίνων θεραπεύεται προσδεόμενός NAS: is He served by human hands, INT: by hands of men is served as needing Romans 6:19 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 2:13 Adj-GFS 1 Corinthians 4:3 Adj-GFS 1 Corinthians 10:13 Adj-NMS James 3:7 Adj-DFS 1 Peter 2:13 Adj-DFS Strong's Greek 442 |
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