Lexical Summary hósper: Just as, even as, as Original Word: ὥσπερ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance just as, even asFrom hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like -- (even, like) as. see GREEK hos see GREEK per HELPS Word-studies 5618 hṓsper (an emphatic adverb, derived from 4007 /per, "indeed" intensifying 5613 /hōs, "as") – "indeed just as," "just exactly like." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hós and per Definition just as, even as NASB Translation indeed (1), just (13), just like (3), like (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5618: ὥσπερὥσπερ ((cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 110); from ὡς and the enclitic particle περ, which, "in its usual way, augments and brings out the force of ὡς Klotz ad Devar. 2:2, p. 768; see περ), adverb (from Homer down), just as, even as; a. in a protasis with a finite verb, and followed by οὕτως or οὕτως καί in the apodosis (cf. Winer's Grammar, §§ 53, 5; 60, 5): Matthew 12:40; Matthew 13:40; Matthew 24:27, 37f, 38 (L T Tr (cf. ὡς at the beginning) WH ὡς); Luke 17:24; John 5:21, 26; Romans 5:19, 21; Romans 6:4, 19; Romans 11:30; 1 Corinthians 11:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 1:7 (here L T Tr WH ὡς); Galatians 4:29; Ephesians 5:24 (L T Tr WH ὡς); James 2:26; ὥσπερ ... ἵνα καί ((cf. Winers Grammar, § 43, 5 a.; Buttmann, 241 (208); cf. ἵνα, II. 4 b.)), 2 Corinthians 8:7; εὐλογίαν ... ἑτοίμην εἶναι (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 44, 1 c.) οὕτως ὡς ἐυλογινα καί μή ὥσπερ etc. 'that your bounty might so be ready as a matter of bounty and not as if' etc. 2 Corinthians 9:5 (but only Rec. reads ὥσπερ, and even so the example does not strictly belong under this entry); the apodosis which should have been introduced by οὕτως is lacking (Winers Grammar, § 64, 7 b.; p. 569 (530); cf. Buttmann, § 151, 12 and 23 g.): Romans 5:12 (here what Paul subjoined in Romans 5:13f to prove the truth of his statement πάντες ἥμαρτον, prevented him from adding the apodosis, which had it corresponded accurately to the terms of the protasis would have run as follows: οὕτω καί δἰ ἑνός ἀνθρώπου ἡ δικαιοσύνη εἰς τόν κόσμον εἰσῆλθε καί διά τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἡ ζωή. Καί οὕτως εἰς πάντας ἀνθρώπους ἡ ζωή διελεύσεται, ἐφ' ᾧ πάντες δικαιωθήσονται; this thought he unfolds in verse 15ff in another form); Matthew 25:14 (here the extended details of the parable caused the writer to forget the apodosis which he had in mind at the beginning; (cf. ὡς, I. 4 c.)). b. it stands in close relation to what precedes: Matthew 5:48 (L T Tr WH ὡς); Ὥσπερ serves as Scripture’s literary hinge for analogy. Whether introducing a simile, framing a doctrinal parallel, or sharpening a moral contrast, it alerts the reader to read the ensuing phrase relationally. Its frequency at key doctrinal junctures shows that the Spirit employs comparison as a principal teaching device, securing continuity between historical events and spiritual realities. Old Testament Echoes and Inter-Testamental Usage Although the term is Greek, the Hebrew mind was steeped in comparative reasoning—“like the days of Noah,” “as a father has compassion.” Septuagint translators often reached for ὥσπερ when rendering כְּ (ke) similes (for example, Psalm 103:13 LXX). By the first century the word had become a natural bridge by which Jewish-Christian authors connected prophetic patterns with Christ’s fulfillment. Gospel Illustrations and Jesus’ Teaching Method Matthew highlights ὥσπερ to clarify kingdom principles: Luke 17:24 parallels this eschatological flash, while Luke 18:11 exposes pharisaic pride “just as” others are despised. Here the comparison sharpens moral self-examination in discipleship. Johannine Life-Giving Parallels John 5:21,26 employs ὥσπερ to equate the Father’s and the Son’s life-imparting authority: “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes”. The same term safeguards the deity of Christ, showing His works mirror the Father’s. Pentecost and Apostolic Preaching Acts 2:2 depicts the Spirit’s arrival “like a violent rushing wind,” conveying perceptible yet intangible divine power. Peter’s sermon (Acts 3:17; 11:15) uses ὥσπερ to align prophetic ignorance with grace now revealed, underscoring continuity between Israel’s account and the gospel age. Pauline Theology: Adam–Christ and Union with Christ Romans 5 employs ὥσπερ three times (5:12,19,21) to compare Adam’s trespass with Christ’s obedience. The particle ties historical fact to theological consequence, grounding original sin and justification in real persons. Romans 6:4,19 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 extend the analogy to death-and-resurrection union: “For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” These ὥσπερ clauses become structural supports for the doctrine of federal headship and sanctification. Church Practice and Order 1 Corinthians 16:1 links the Galatian collection model to Corinth: “Now about the collection for the saints, do the same as I instructed the churches of Galatia.” The comparison secures uniformity in church stewardship. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 8:7 exhorts generosity to abound “just as” faith, speech, and knowledge already do, integrating material giving with spiritual maturity. Ethical Contrasts and Warnings Galatians 4:29 contrasts persecution “just as” Ishmael opposed Isaac, teaching believers to expect opposition. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 warns that sudden destruction will come “just as” labor pains, reinforcing vigilance. Hebrews 9:25 contrasts Christ’s once-for-all offering with the repeated Levitical entries “just as” the high priest, elevating the finality of the cross. Sabbath Rest and High-Priestly Work Hebrews 4:10 employs ὥσπερ to correlate the believer’s rest with God’s Genesis rest, grounding assurance in creation’s completed work. Hebrews 7:27 and 9:25 further compare Christ’s singular sacrifice with daily and annual rituals, underscoring the superiority of the New Covenant. Life and Breath Analogy in James James 2:26 applies ὥσπερ to justify that “just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead,” a vivid physiological metaphor affirming that genuine faith necessarily manifests obedience. Apocalyptic Imagery Revelation 10:3 likens the mighty angel’s cry to a roaring lion. The simile ratifies the vision’s authority, portraying judgment and sovereignty with prophetic drama. Doctrinal Significance 1. Revelation of God’s Nature: By paralleling Father and Son actions, ὥσπερ reinforces Trinitarian harmony. Pastoral and Homiletical Application • Illustrations: Preachers may lean on ὥσπερ texts to craft analogies that illuminate doctrine with daily life (e.g., James 2:26 for faith and works). Historical Reception Early fathers such as Irenaeus and Athanasius seized upon the Adam-Christ ὥσπερ to combat Gnosticism and Arianism, asserting both the reality of the incarnation and the unity of God’s saving plan. Reformers later mined these parallels for doctrines of imputation and substitutionary atonement. Conclusion Though a small connective, ὥσπερ weaves together revelation, history, and practice. Each occurrence calls believers to read events, doctrines, and ethics relationally—seeing in Christ the archetype “just as” the Scriptures consistently testify. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:2 AdvGRK: ἔμπροσθέν σου ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ KJV: before thee, as the hypocrites do INT: before you as the hypocrites Matthew 6:7 Adv Matthew 12:40 Adv Matthew 13:40 Adv Matthew 18:17 Adv Matthew 20:28 Adv Matthew 24:27 Adv Matthew 24:37 Adv Matthew 25:14 Adv Matthew 25:32 Adv Luke 17:24 Adv Luke 18:11 Adv John 5:21 Adv John 5:26 Adv Acts 2:2 Adv Acts 3:17 Adv Acts 11:15 Adv Romans 5:12 Adv Romans 5:19 Adv Romans 5:21 Adv Romans 6:4 Adv Romans 6:19 Adv Romans 11:30 Adv 1 Corinthians 8:5 Adv 1 Corinthians 10:7 Adv |
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