Original Word: νήπιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: népios
Pronunciation: NAY-pee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-pee-os)
Definition: Infant, child, immature, simple-minded
Meaning: unlearned, unenlightened; noun: an infant, child.

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.

Word Origin: Derived from a compound of the negative particle "νη-" (nē, meaning "not") and "ἔπος" (epos, meaning "word" or "speech"), indicating someone who is "without speech" or "not speaking."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of infancy or immaturity in the Hebrew Bible is often conveyed through words like "יֶלֶד" (yeled, Strong's 3206) meaning "child" or "infant," and "עֹלֵל" (olel, Strong's 5768) meaning "infant" or "babe." These terms similarly denote youth and dependency, paralleling the Greek "νήπιος" in its literal sense.

Usage: In the New Testament, "νήπιος" is used both literally to describe young children and metaphorically to describe spiritual immaturity or lack of understanding. It appears in contexts that emphasize innocence, simplicity, or the need for growth and maturity.

Context: The Greek word "νήπιος" is used in several New Testament passages to convey the idea of infancy or immaturity. In a literal sense, it refers to young children, as seen in Matthew 11:25, where Jesus praises the Father for revealing truths to "little children" (νήπιοι) rather than the wise and learned. This usage highlights the theme of divine revelation to the humble and pure-hearted.

Metaphorically, "νήπιος" is employed to describe spiritual immaturity. In 1 Corinthians 3:1, Paul addresses the Corinthians as "infants in Christ" (νήπιοι ἐν Χριστῷ), indicating their need for growth in spiritual understanding and maturity. Similarly, in Ephesians 4:14, believers are warned against remaining as "infants" (νήπιοι), tossed by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, emphasizing the importance of doctrinal stability and maturity.

The term also appears in Galatians 4:1-3, where Paul uses the analogy of an heir who is a child (νήπιος) to illustrate the condition of those under the law before the coming of Christ. Here, "νήπιος" signifies a state of dependency and lack of full rights, contrasting with the freedom and maturity found in Christ.

Overall, "νήπιος" serves as a powerful image in the New Testament, contrasting the innocence and openness of children with the need for growth and maturity in the spiritual life. It underscores the call for believers to move beyond spiritual infancy and develop a mature faith rooted in 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