4976. schéma
Lexical Summary
schéma: Form, appearance, fashion, external condition

Original Word: σχῆμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: schéma
Pronunciation: SKHAY-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (skhay'-mah)
KJV: fashion
NASB: appearance, form
Word Origin: [from the alternate of G2192 (ἔχω - have)]

1. a figure (as a mode or circumstance)
2. (by implication) external condition

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
outward appearance, form, shape

From the alternate of echo; a figure (as a mode or circumstance), i.e. (by implication) external condition -- fashion.

see GREEK echo

HELPS Word-studies

4976 sxma – properly, exterior shape (form); (figuratively) the outer "shape" (manner, appearance).

4976/sxēma ("outward, visible form") is used of Jesus' earthly body (Phil 2:7,8). Christ incarnated into a genuine physical body, which was not an "exact match with typical humanity" because His body was never touched or tainted by sin (even original sin).

[2 Cor 5:21: "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (NASU).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from echó
Definition
figure, shape
NASB Translation
appearance (1), form (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4976: σχῆμα

σχῆμα, σχηματος, τό (ἔχω, σχεῖν), from Aeschylus down, Latinhabitus (cf. English haviour (from have)), A. V. fashion, Vulg.figura (but in Phil.habitus) (tacitly opposed to the material or substance): τοῦ κόσμου τούτου, 1 Corinthians 7:31; the habitus, as comprising everything in a person which strikes the senses, the figure, bearing, discourse, actions, manner of life, etc., Philippians 2:7(8). (Synonym: see μορφή at the end, and Schmidt, chapter 182, 5.)

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Semantic Range

Strong’s Greek 4976 conveys the idea of an outward figure, fashion, or transient appearance that may or may not correspond to the underlying reality. Scripture employs the word to contrast what is merely visible or temporary with what is essential and enduring.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1 Corinthians 7:31 and Philippians 2:8 are its only New Testament uses, yet each setting is a key theological crossroads—one about the fading façade of the present age, the other about the incarnational self-emptying of the Son of God.

The Ephemeral Nature of the World (1 Corinthians 7:31)

“Those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31)

Paul exhorts believers in Corinth to hold earthly affairs loosely. Marriage, commerce, mourning, and rejoicing are all noted in the surrounding verses; none of them is evil, yet all are provisional. The apostle frames daily life with an eschatological horizon: the form of this world—its structures, priorities, and visible stability—is already waning. Christians therefore act responsibly within society but do not anchor their identity or hopes in its mutable arrangements.

The Incarnational Pattern of Christ (Philippians 2:8)

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

Here the focus shifts from the world’s fleeting form to the saving form the eternal Son willingly assumed. Incarnation involves a genuine human existence without surrendering divine nature. The verse underscores two aspects:

1. Recognition—He was “found” by human witnesses in an ordinary human exterior.
2. Humiliation—He embraced servanthood and crucifixion, the lowest public disgrace in Roman society.

Thus, the same term that marks the world’s impermanence also magnifies the Redeemer’s chosen visibility among perishing sinners.

Theological Themes

1. Transience versus permanence: Outward appearances are neither ultimate nor lasting.
2. Incarnation: The eternal Word adopted visible humanity to accomplish redemption.
3. Humility: The form Christ took was not merely visible flesh but the role of obedient servant, modeling kingdom greatness.
4. Eschatology: Because the present order is passing, believers invest in things eternal.

Historical and Cultural Background

In Greco-Roman rhetoric, σχῆμα could denote a stage costume or rhetorical guise. Paul taps that cultural familiarity: audiences knew that costumes change when the play advances. He converts the metaphor to proclaim that both the cosmic stage (1 Corinthians 7) and the divine Actor’s voluntary costume (Philippians 2) serve the redemptive script written before the ages.

Implications for Christian Discipleship

• Detachment: Possessions, social roles, and emotions must be stewarded without bondage.
• Imitation of Christ: As He laid aside visible glory to serve, believers lay aside self-importance.
• Witness: The church’s observable life should mirror inner regeneration, refusing hypocrisy yet recognizing that forms (styles, institutions) may change while truth remains.
• Perseverance: Suffering borne in faith participates in the same pattern that led Christ through humiliation to exaltation (Philippians 2:9-11).

Ministry and Pastoral Application

Pastors may comfort the grieving or unemployed by pointing to the temporary nature of present conditions. They can also urge affluent or influential believers to humility, recalling that the King arrived in an everyman’s frame. Church leaders might evaluate ministries, distinguishing gospel essentials from cultural packaging that may be refreshed for future generations.

Related Biblical Concepts

Romans 12:2 – Transformation that penetrates beyond outward conformity.
2 Corinthians 4:18 – Fixing eyes on the unseen eternal.
Hebrews 13:14 – Seeking the city that is to come.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4976 draws a straight line from the fading façade of a fallen world to the chosen façade of the Incarnate Word. Both uses urge the saints to discern surface from substance, to live for what lasts, and to follow the humble pattern of the Savior until the final unveiling of glory.

Forms and Transliterations
σχημα σχήμα σχῆμα σχηματι σχήματι σχίδακας σχίζα σχίζαις σχίζαν σχίζας schema schêma schēma schē̂ma schemati schēmati schḗmati
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 7:31 N-NNS
GRK: γὰρ τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου
NAS: they did not make full use of it; for the form of this
KJV: [it]: for the fashion of this
INT: indeed the present form the world

Philippians 2:8 N-DNS
GRK: καὶ σχήματι εὑρεθεὶς ὡς
INT: and in figure having been found as

Strong's Greek 4976
2 Occurrences


σχῆμα — 1 Occ.
σχήματι — 1 Occ.

4975
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