5093. timios
Lexical Summary
timios: Precious, valuable, honorable

Original Word: τίμιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: timios
Pronunciation: TEE-mee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (tim'-ee-os)
KJV: dear, honourable, (more, most) precious, had in reputation
NASB: precious, very costly, dear, honor, respected
Word Origin: [from G5092 (τιμή - honor)]

1. valuable
2. (objectively) costly
3. (subjectively) honored, esteemed
4. (figuratively) beloved

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
dear, honorable, precious

Including the comparative timioteros (tim-ee-o'-ter-os), and the superlative timiotatos (tim-ee-o'-tat-os) from time; valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved -- dear, honourable, (more, most) precious, had in reputation.

see GREEK time

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5093 tímios (an adjective) – properly, valuable as having recognized value in the eyes of the beholder. See 5092 (timē).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from timé
Definition
valued, precious
NASB Translation
dear (1), honor (1), precious (8), respected (1), very costly (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5093: τίμιος

τίμιος, τίμια, τίμιον (τιμή), from Homer down;

a. properly, held as of great price, i. e. precious: λίθος, Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:12, 16; Revelation 21:19; plural 1 Corinthians 3:12 (R. V. costly stones); comparitive τιμιωτερος, 1 Peter 1:7 Rec.; superlative τιμιωτατος, Revelation 18:12; Revelation 21:11.

b. metaphorically, held in honor, esteemed, especially dear: Hebrews 13:4; τίνι, to one, Acts 5:34; Acts 20:24 (here with a genitive also, according to the text of T Tr WH (οὐδενός λόγου etc. not worth a word; cf. Meyer at the passage)); καρπός τῆς γῆς, James 5:7; αἷμα, 1 Peter 1:19; ἐπαγγέλματα, 2 Peter 1:4.

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range within Scripture

The adjective τίμιος consistently describes something of exceptional worth or honor, whether material, moral, or relational. In Luke’s narrative (Acts 20:24), Paul appraises his very life as less τίμιος than the completion of his God-given ministry, showing that what is “precious” is defined by divine calling rather than self-preservation. Peter employs the word for the “precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19), identifying the atoning sacrifice as the supreme value in redemptive history. John, writing in Revelation, applies the term to costly stones, pearls, and merchandise (Revelation 18:12, 18:16, 21:11, 21:19), highlighting a contrast between fleeting earthly opulence and the enduring splendor of the New Jerusalem.

Christological Focus

The description of Christ’s blood as τίμιος (1 Peter 1:19) roots soteriology in the infinite worth of the Savior Himself. The “lamb without blemish or spot” fulfills Old Testament typology (Exodus 12:5; Isaiah 53:7), and the adjective underscores that no other offering in heaven or earth could suffice. The honor attached to Christ’s sacrifice establishes the objective value of the gospel message, safeguarding it from relativism.

Precious Promises and Participation in the Divine Nature

In 2 Peter 1:4 believers receive “precious and magnificent promises” through which they become “partakers of the divine nature.” The term τίμιος here extends beyond material or sacrificial language to encompass the covenantal assurances of God. These promises, rooted in Christ, carry a value that transcends time and circumstance, enabling moral transformation and escape from “the corruption in the world caused by lust.”

Ethical and Pastoral Implications

Hebrews exhorts: “Marriage is to be honored (Τίμιος) among all” (Hebrews 13:4). What the marketplace calls common, Scripture esteems as precious, binding holiness to everyday relationships. James 5:7 uses τίμιον for the farmer’s “valuable crop,” illustrating patient endurance until the Lord’s return. Together these uses commend a Christian ethic that treasures God-given institutions and responsibilities.

Ministry and Mission

Acts 5:34 names Gamaliel as a “teacher of the law held in honor” (τίμιος), showing how perceived value can grant a hearing even in hostile settings. By contrast, Paul’s statement in Acts 20:24 reorders value systems: the gospel mission outweighs personal safety. For contemporary ministry, τίμιος presses leaders to measure success by fidelity rather than acclaim.

Eschatological Imagery

Revelation contrasts Babylon’s cargo of τίμιος commodities with the “most precious” jasper-like brilliance of the heavenly city (Revelation 18:12–16; 21:11). Earth’s proud commerce collapses, while God’s handiwork endures. The motif warns against idolizing wealth and assures believers that true glory is future and secure.

Historical Reception

Early Church Fathers linked τίμιος chiefly with the Eucharist and martyrdom, perceiving the elements and the martyr’s blood as reflections of Christ’s own precious blood. The term thus shaped liturgical reverence and emboldened witness amid persecution.

Old Testament Parallels

The Septuagint frequently renders יָקָר (yāqār, costly, precious) with τίμιος (for example, Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints”). This background situates New Testament usage within a continuum where God alone rightly determines value.

Practical Exhortation

1 Corinthian believers are urged to build on the foundation of Christ with “precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12). The admonition calls every generation to labor with motives and materials that will withstand eschatological testing. Life, marriage, ministry, and possessions find their true worth when aligned with the gospel, for only what God calls τίμιος will ultimately remain.

Forms and Transliterations
τιμια τίμια τιμιαν τιμίαν τιμίας τίμιοι τιμίοις τιμιον τίμιον τιμιος τίμιος τιμιου τιμίου τιμιους τιμίους τιμιω τιμίω τιμίῳ τιμίων τιμιωτατου τιμιωτάτου τιμιωτατω τιμιωτάτω τιμιωτάτῳ τιμιωτέρα τιμιώτερον timia tímia timian timían timio timiō timíoi timíōi timion tímion timios tímios timiotato timiōtatō timiotátoi timiōtátōi timiotatou timiotátou timiōtatou timiōtátou timiou timíou timious timíous
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Englishman's Concordance
Acts 5:34 Adj-NMS
GRK: Γαμαλιήλ νομοδιδάσκαλος τίμιος παντὶ τῷ
NAS: a teacher of the Law, respected by all
KJV: a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all
INT: Gamaliel a teacher of the law honored by all the

Acts 20:24 Adj-AFS
GRK: τὴν ψυχὴν τιμίαν ἐμαυτῷ ὡς
NAS: of any account as dear to myself, so
KJV: my life dear unto myself, so
INT: my life dear to myself so as

1 Corinthians 3:12 Adj-AMP
GRK: ἄργυρον λίθους τιμίους ξύλα χόρτον
NAS: silver, precious stones,
KJV: gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
INT: silver stones precious wood hay

Hebrews 13:4 Adj-NMS
GRK: Τίμιος ὁ γάμος
NAS: Marriage [is to be held] in honor among
KJV: Marriage [is] honourable in all,
INT: Honorable [let] marriage [be held]

James 5:7 Adj-AMS
GRK: ἐκδέχεται τὸν τίμιον καρπὸν τῆς
NAS: waits for the precious produce
KJV: waiteth for the precious fruit
INT: awaits the precious fruit of the

1 Peter 1:19 Adj-DNS
GRK: ἀλλὰ τιμίῳ αἵματι ὡς
NAS: but with precious blood, as of a lamb
KJV: But with the precious blood of Christ,
INT: but by precious blood as

2 Peter 1:4 Adj-NNP
GRK: ὧν τὰ τίμια καὶ μέγιστα
NAS: He has granted to us His precious and magnificent
KJV: and precious promises:
INT: which the precious and greatest

Revelation 17:4 Adj-DMS
GRK: καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ καὶ μαργαρίταις
NAS: with gold and precious stones
KJV: with gold and precious stones and
INT: and stone precious and pearls

Revelation 18:12 Adj-GFS
GRK: καὶ λίθου τιμίου καὶ μαργαριτῶν
NAS: and silver and precious stones
KJV: silver, and precious stones, and
INT: and of stone precious and of pearl

Revelation 18:12 Adj-GNS-S
GRK: ἐκ ξύλου τιμιωτάτου καὶ χαλκοῦ
NAS: article [made] from very costly wood
KJV: vessels of most precious wood, and
INT: of wood most precious and of brass

Revelation 18:16 Adj-DMS
GRK: καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ καὶ μαργαρίτῃ
NAS: with gold and precious stones
KJV: gold, and precious stones, and
INT: and stone precious and pearls

Revelation 21:11 Adj-DMS-S
GRK: ὅμοιος λίθῳ τιμιωτάτῳ ὡς λίθῳ
NAS: was like a very costly stone,
KJV: unto a stone most precious, even like
INT: [was] like a stone most precious as a stone

Revelation 21:19 Adj-DMS
GRK: παντὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ κεκοσμημένοι ὁ
NAS: with every kind of precious stone.
KJV: all manner of precious stones.
INT: with every stone precious [were] adorned the

Strong's Greek 5093
13 Occurrences


τίμια — 1 Occ.
τιμίαν — 1 Occ.
τιμίῳ — 4 Occ.
τιμιωτάτῳ — 1 Occ.
τιμιωτάτου — 1 Occ.
τίμιον — 1 Occ.
τίμιος — 2 Occ.
τιμίου — 1 Occ.
τιμίους — 1 Occ.

5092
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