Lexical Summary rhétós: Stated, specified, explicit Original Word: ῥητός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance expressly. Adverb from a derivative of rheo; out-spokenly, i.e. Distinctly -- expressly. see GREEK rheo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from rhétos (stated) Definition in stated terms NASB Translation explicitly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4490: ῤητῶςῤητῶς (ῤητός), adverb, expressly, in express words: ῤητῶς λέγει, 1 Timothy 4:1. (Polybius 3, 23, 5; Strabo 9, p. 426; Plutarch, Brut. 29; (de Stoic. repugn. 15, 10); (Diogenes Laërtius 8, 71; (others; cf. Wetstein on 1 Timothy, the passage cited; Winer's Grammar, 463 (431)).) Topical Lexicon Essence and Nuance Strong’s Greek 4490 highlights a manner of speaking that is unambiguous, unmistakable, and authoritative. It points to wording that leaves no room for conjecture or personal spin. When this adverb appears, the writer is signaling that what follows bears the full weight of divine certainty. Biblical Usage The single New Testament occurrence—1 Timothy 4:1—provides the context in which the Holy Spirit unveils the future: “Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the doctrines of demons” (Berean Standard Bible). The word draws attention to the directness of the Spirit’s revelation, affirming that the coming apostasy is not a vague possibility but a foreknown reality. The Testimony of the Spirit Paul’s wording underlines the Spirit’s role as a precise communicator. This is consistent with other statements about the Spirit’s prophetic clarity: • 1 Peter 1:11 – The Spirit “predicted” (proēmartureō) Christ’s sufferings and glories. Although these verses do not use ῥητῶς, they share the idea that the Spirit provides clear, unmistakable guidance. Strong’s 4490 crystalizes that idea into a single adverb. Implications for Apostolic Teaching Paul intends Timothy to relay this explicit warning to the Ephesian congregation. The precision of the Spirit’s statement undercuts any attempt to downplay or spiritualize the prophecy. Apostolic authority, grounded in the Spirit’s specific wording, obligates believers to take the warning seriously. Thus, false teaching is not merely a peripheral issue; it stands in direct opposition to the Spirit’s openly declared revelation. Historical Understanding in the Early Church Early Christian writers treated 1 Timothy 4:1 as a direct prophecy of doctrinal corruption in their own era. Irenaeus pointed to Gnostic teachers as fulfillment, emphasizing the Spirit’s “express” forewarning. Later, Chrysostom cited the verse to show that heresies were not unforeseen glitches but realities God had spelled out in advance. Such patristic usage reinforces the pastoral function of the word: it fosters vigilance and doctrinal fidelity. Practical Application for Ministry Today 1. Discernment: Church leaders are reminded that spiritual error often masquerades as truth. Because the Spirit has spoken “expressly,” discernment is an ongoing, non-negotiable responsibility. Related Concepts in Scripture • “Thus says the LORD” (for example, Jeremiah 6:16) likewise introduces unqualified divine statements. Summary Strong’s Greek 4490, though appearing only once, spotlights the Spirit’s commitment to clarity. It assures the church that divine revelation is not cloaked in riddles; the Spirit speaks in definite terms. In an age of shifting opinions and nuanced half-truths, ῥητῶς reminds believers that God’s warnings and promises stand with irrefutable precision, calling the church to unflinching faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations ρητως ρητώς ῥητῶς ρίγει retos rētōs rhetos rhetôs rhētōs rhētō̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |