Original Word: νήπιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: népios
Pronunciation: NAY-pee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-pee-os)
KJV: babe, child (+ -ish)
NASB: child, infants, children, childish, immature, infant
Word Origin: [from an obsolete particle ne- (implying negation) and G2031 (ἔπος - Word)]

1. not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor)
2. (figuratively) a simple-minded person, an immature Christian

an infant, child

From an obsolete particle ne- (implying negation) and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian -- babe, child (+ -ish).

see GREEK epos

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
an infant, fig. a simple-minded or immature person
NASB Translation
child (5), childish (1), children (2), immature (1), infant (1), infants (4).

STRONGS NT 3516: νήπιος

νήπιος, νήπια, νήπιον (from νή, an insep. neg. prefix (Latinnefas, nequam, nisi, etc. cf. Curtius, § 437), and ἔπος); as in Greek writers from Homer down,

a. an infant, little child: Matthew 21:16 (from Psalm 8:3); 1 Corinthians 13:11; the Sept. especially for עולֵל and עולָל.

b. a minor, not of age: Galatians 4:1 (cf. Lightfoot at the passage).

c. metaphorically, childish, untaught, unskilled (the Sept. for פְּתִי, Psalm 18:8 (); Psalm 118:130 (); Proverbs 1:32): Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; Romans 2:20; Galatians 4:3; Ephesians 4:14; opposed to τέλειοι, the more advanced in understanding and knowledge, Hebrews 5:13f. (Philo de agric. § 2); νηπίοις ἐν Χριστῷ, in things pertaining to Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:1. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7 L WH (cf. the latter's note at the passage) have hastily received νήπιοι for the common reading ἤπιοι.

Scope of Biblical Usage

Strong’s Greek 3516 refers to a very young child and, by extension, anyone who is undeveloped or immature. The New Testament employs the term both literally (of actual infants) and figuratively (of those immature in understanding, faith, or behavior). Fifteen occurrences span Gospel narratives, Pauline epistles, and Hebrews, creating a cohesive portrait of infancy as both blessing and caution.

Literal Sense: Infants Honored by God

1. Matthew 21:16 cites Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of children and infants You have prepared praise.” Here “infants” participate in worship, silencing Christ’s critics and demonstrating that genuine praise is not hindered by age or social standing.
2. In Matthew 11:25 and its parallel Luke 10:21, Jesus rejoices: “I praise You, Father… because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Divine revelation bypasses self-reliant wisdom and rests upon humble, trusting recipients symbolized by infants.

Figurative Sense: Spiritual Immaturity

1. Romans 2:20 labels certain Jews “an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants,” exposing the hypocrisy of claiming maturity while remaining unconverted.
2. Galatians 4:1-3 contrasts an heir “no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything” with mature sonship. Paul likens believers under the Law to minors needing guardians until Christ’s redeeming work enables adult status.
3. Ephesians 4:14 urges believers “so we may no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching.” Immaturity makes one vulnerable to deception, whereas doctrinal stability marks adulthood.
4. Hebrews 5:13 laments those “unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” Milk is appropriate for newborns, but the goal is solid food and discernment (verse 14).

Apostolic Illustrations of Growth

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 exposes carnality: “I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.” Again, milk precedes meat, yet lingering jealousy and strife reveal stunted growth.

Paul’s autobiography in 1 Corinthians 13:11 underscores transition: “When I was a child, I talked like a child… when I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” The context of love’s supremacy shows maturity defined not by knowledge alone, but by Christlike love.

Christ-like Gentleness toward the ‘νήπιοι’

In 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Paul likens his ministry either to being “gentle among you” or “as infants,” depending on textual variant. In either case the apostle mirrors the nursing mother (verse 7b), modeling humble, sacrificial care that nurtures growth in others.

Historical and Ministry Significance

Early church catechesis echoed this infant-to-adult trajectory. Baptismal instruction used infant imagery to describe neophytes who would soon taste the “solid food” of deeper doctrine. In pastoral practice, leaders discerned between new converts needing milk and seasoned saints equipped for service (Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16).

Theological Implications

1. Dependence: Infants epitomize helpless dependence, illustrating saving faith that rests wholly on God’s grace (Matthew 18:3).
2. Revelation: God delights to reveal Himself to the lowly, overturning worldly hierarchies (Matthew 11:25-26).
3. Sanctification: Salvation initiates a lifelong maturation from milk to meat, from fleshly squabbles to spiritual discernment and love (1 Corinthians 3; 13; Hebrews 5).
4. Eschatological Goal: Full maturity arrives when believers attain “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13), a process culminating in glorification.

Pastoral Application

• Encourage humility: Receive God’s Word with the trust of infants.
• Provide appropriate nourishment: Tailor teaching to spiritual age, progressing believers from foundational truths to deeper doctrines.
• Guard against perpetual infancy: Challenge complacency; expose childish jealousy, division, and susceptibility to falsehood.
• Model parental care: Lead with tenderness, recognizing that growth requires patient nurture as well as exhortation.

Summary

Strong’s 3516 paints a dual portrait: infants esteemed by God and spiritual children called to grow. From Jesus’ praise of childlike faith to Paul’s summons to maturity, Scripture presents a coherent progression—God’s people begin as babes but are destined for the fullness of Christ.

νήπια νήπιά νηπιοι νήπιοι νηπιοις νηπίοις νήπιον νηπιος νηπίος νήπιος νήπιός νηπιότητος νηπιότητός νηπιου νηπίου νηπίους νηπιων νηπίων nepioi nēpioi nḗpioi nepiois nepíois nēpiois nēpíois nepion nepíon nēpiōn nēpíōn nepios nēpios nḗpios nḗpiós nepiou nepíou nēpiou nēpíouInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts