3967. patrikos
Lexical Summary
patrikos: Paternal, of or relating to a father

Original Word: πατρικός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: patrikos
Pronunciation: pah-tree-KOS
Phonetic Spelling: (pat-ree-kos')
KJV: of fathers
NASB: ancestral
Word Origin: [from G3962 (πατήρ - father)]

1. paternal, i.e. ancestral

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
paternal

From pater; paternal, i.e. Ancestral -- of fathers.

see GREEK pater

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from patér
Definition
paternal, ancestral
NASB Translation
ancestral (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3967: πατρικός

πατρικός, πατρική, πατρικόν (πατήρ),paternal, ancestral, equivalent to handed down by or received from one's fathers: Galatians 1:14. (Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, and following; the Sept.) (Synonym: see πατροως, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

Strong’s Greek 3967 denotes what is “paternal, ancestral, handed down from the fathers.” Scripture employs the term to describe practices received from previous generations, highlighting both the weight of heritage and the potential peril of elevating human tradition above divine revelation.

Single New Testament Occurrence (Galatians 1:14)

“I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” (Galatians 1:14)

Paul’s testimony centers on two ideas: rapid progression within Judaism and fervent zeal for inherited customs. The word points to the oral interpretations, rulings, and ritual observances developed by rabbinic authorities and cherished by the Pharisaic movement.

Historical Context: Second Temple Judaism and Pharisaic Tradition

1. Oral Torah: By the first century, elaborate halakhic rulings regulated Sabbath conduct, purity, fasting, tithing, and ceremonial washings (compare Mark 7:3-4).
2. Rabbinic Authority: Sages claimed an unbroken chain from Moses, lending these rulings near-canonical status among strict sects.
3. Socioreligious Prestige: Meticulous observance conferred honor, academic advancement, and communal leadership—benefits Paul had begun to reap before meeting Christ.

Theological Significance

1. Revelation vs. Tradition: Paul contrasts paternal tradition with the “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). Divine disclosure supplants any practice that obscures the gospel of grace.
2. Continuity and Fulfillment: Scripture never dismisses godly heritage (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) but insists it remain subordinate to God’s living word (Mark 7:8).
3. Law and Justification: Galatians argues that adherence to inherited regulations cannot justify; only faith in Christ can (Galatians 2:16).

Warnings Concerning Human Tradition

Mark 7:8—“You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.”
Colossians 2:8—“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, which are based on human tradition … rather than on Christ.”

Both passages expose the danger of traditions that eclipse the authority of Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ.

Positive Use of Tradition When Anchored in Truth

Paul also commends apostolic teaching as “tradition” when it transmits divine revelation (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The same apostle who renounced ancestral rituals urges believers to “hold to” gospel-centered instruction. Tradition is thus good or bad depending on its faithfulness to God’s word.

Ancestral Faith and Generational Stewardship

• Old Testament precedent: “Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.” (Proverbs 22:28) Rightly honored heritage protects covenantal identity.
• New Testament example: Timothy’s faith, transmitted through Lois and Eunice, illustrates faithful generational discipleship (2 Timothy 1:5).

Ancestral legacy should point beyond itself to the Lord, not become an end in itself.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

1. Evaluate Customs: Churches must examine inherited practices in light of Scripture, retaining what accords with the gospel and discarding what hinders it.
2. Teach Historical Roots: Believers benefit from understanding the faith’s Jewish background while recognizing its fulfillment in Christ.
3. Guard Against Legalism: Spiritual zeal is commendable only when aligned with truth (Romans 10:2-4).
4. Foster Godly Heritage: Parents and spiritual leaders are stewards of a living tradition centered on the Word made flesh.

Related Passages for Further Study

Mark 7:1-13; Matthew 15:1-9; Acts 22:3; Romans 9:4-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3967 underscores the powerful influence of inherited customs. Galatians 1:14 shows Paul’s transformation from zealous guardian of ancestral tradition to servant of Christ who proclaims freedom from legalistic bondage. Scripture affirms honoring faithful heritage while insisting that every tradition bow to the supremacy of God’s revealed word.

Forms and Transliterations
πάτρια πατρική πατρικήν πατρικόν πατρικων πατρικών πατρικῶν patrikon patrikôn patrikōn patrikō̂n
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Galatians 1:14 Adj-GMP
GRK: ὑπάρχων τῶν πατρικῶν μου παραδόσεων
NAS: zealous for my ancestral traditions.
KJV: of the traditions of my fathers.
INT: being of the fathers of me for [the] traditions

Strong's Greek 3967
1 Occurrence


πατρικῶν — 1 Occ.

3966
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