Lexical Summary sómatikos: Bodily, corporeal Original Word: σωματικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bodily. From soma; corporeal or physical -- bodily. see GREEK soma NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sóma Definition of the body NASB Translation bodily (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4984: σωματικόςσωματικός, σωματική, σωματικον (σῶμα), from Aristotle down, "corporeal (Vulg.corporalis), bodily; a. having a bodily form or nature": σωματικῷ εἴδει, Luke 3:22 (opposed to ἀσώματος, Philo de opif. mund. § 4). b. pertaining to the body: ἡ γυμνασία, 1 Timothy 4:8 (ἕξις, Josephus, b. j. 6, 1, 6: ἐπιθυμίαι σωματικαί, 4 Macc. 1:32; (ἐπιθυμίαι καί ἡδοναι, Aristotle, eth. Nic. 7, 7, p. 1149b, 26; others; ἀπέχου τῶν σαρκικῶν καί σωματικῶν σπιθυμιων, 'Teaching' etc. 1, 4 [ET])). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4984 (σωματικός, sōmatikos) appears only twice in the New Testament yet frames a robust biblical theology of embodiment. Luke employs it to describe the Spirit’s visible descent upon Jesus; Paul uses it to weigh bodily exercise against the lasting value of godliness. Together the occurrences uphold the goodness of the physical realm while stressing its subordinate place to spiritual realities. Occurrences in Scripture • Luke 3:22 — “and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” Embodied Revelation (Luke 3:22) • The phrase “in bodily form” stresses the tangible manifestation of the Spirit, countering any notion that God’s presence is confined to the immaterial. Physical Training Versus Godliness (1 Timothy 4:8) • Paul acknowledges limited benefit in caring for the body; stewardship is good, idolatry of fitness is not. Theology of the Body • Creation: Humanity’s bodily form is declared “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Christological Significance • Luke’s “bodily form” foreshadows the bodily resurrection and ascension, reinforcing that Jesus remains fully human. Discipleship and Ministry Implications • Balanced Discipline: Christians are free to enjoy athletics and health pursuits as means of stewardship, not as ultimate goals. Historical Reception • Ante-Nicene fathers cited Luke 3:22 to defend the Spirit’s full deity and personal activity. Related Themes and Texts • Temple of the Holy Spirit — 1 Corinthians 6:19 Forms and Transliterations σωματικη σωματική σωματικὴ σωματικω σωματικώ σωματικῷ somatike somatikḕ sōmatikē sōmatikḕ somatiko sōmatikō somatikôi sōmatikō̂iLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 3:22 Adj-DNSGRK: τὸ ἅγιον σωματικῷ εἴδει ὡς NAS: descended upon Him in bodily form KJV: Ghost descended in a bodily shape like INT: Holy in a bodily form as 1 Timothy 4:8 Adj-NFS Strong's Greek 4984 |