Lexical Summary graphé: Scripture, writing Original Word: γραφή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scripture. A document, i.e. Holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it) -- scripture. HELPS Word-studies 1124 graphḗ – properly, writing. 1124 (graphḗ) is used 51 times in the NT – always of holy Scripture, i.e. the inspired, inerrant writings of the Bible (the 66 books of Scripture, 39 in Hebrew, 27 in Greek). [The NT generally uses 1124 (graphḗ) for the Hebrew Scriptures (the OT) – but see also 2 Tim 3:16 and 2 Pet 3:16. 1124 (graphḗ) was used for the Hebrew Scriptures as early as Aristeas (about 130 NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom graphó Definition a writing, scripture NASB Translation Scripture (31), Scriptures (20). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1124: γραφήγραφή, γραφῆς, ἡ (γράφω, cf. γλυφή and γλύφω); a. a writing, thing written (from Sophocles down): πᾶσα γραφή every scripture namely, of the O. T., 2 Timothy 3:16; plural γραφαί ἅγιαι, holy scriptures, the sacred books (of the O. T.), Romans 1:2; προφητικαι, Romans 16:26; αἱ γραφαί τῶν προφητῶν, Matthew 26:56. b. ἡ γραφή, the Scripture κατ' ἐξοχήν, the holy scripture (of the O. T.) — and used to denote either the book itself, or its contents (some would restrict the singular γραφή always to a particular passage; see Lightfoot on Galatians 3:22): John 7:38; John 10:35; Acts 8:32; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:22; Galatians 4:30; James 2:8; 1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 1:20; also in plural αἱ γραφαί: Matthew 21:42; Matthew 26:54; Mark 14:49; Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Acts 17:2, 11; Acts 18:24, 28; 1 Corinthians 15:3f; once αἱ γραφαί comprehends also the books of the N. T. already begun to be collected into a canon, 2 Peter 3:16; by metonymy, ἡ γραφή is used for God speaking in it: Romans 9:17; Galatians 4:30; ἡ γραφή is introduced as a person and distinguished from God in Galatians 3:8. εἰδέναι τάς γραφάς, Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24; συνιέναι, Luke 24:45. c. a certain portion or section of holy Scripture: Mark 12:10; Luke 4:21; John 19:37; Acts 1:16. (Cf. B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Scope and Distribution of the TermStrong’s 1124 (γραφή) appears fifty-one times in the Greek New Testament, overwhelmingly designating the sacred writings already accepted as the Word of God and, by extension, the writings that would become the canonical New Testament. The term is found on the lips of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 22:29; John 10:35), in apostolic preaching (Acts 17:2; Acts 18:28), in doctrinal passages (Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:16), and in pastoral instruction (1 Timothy 5:18). It occurs in narrative, didactic, polemical, and pastoral contexts, showing its comprehensive role in early Christian life and thought. Scripture as Inspired and Authoritative 2 Timothy 3:16–17 stands as the programmatic declaration: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” Here γραφή is explicitly said to be breathed out by God, grounding its absolute authority and sufficiency for faith and practice. This conviction underlies every other New Testament use of the word. Prophetic Fulfilment and the Ministry of Jesus The term punctuates the passion narratives: “How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” (Matthew 26:54). Jesus’ repeated reference to γραφή locates His life, death, and resurrection within the prophetic storyline. Luke records, “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written about Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). The Evangelists thus present Christ’s ministry as the embodiment and fulfilment of the written Word. Foundation for Apostolic Preaching In Acts, γραφή is the primary apologetic tool of the apostles. Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2), and Apollos “powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:28). The written Word validates the gospel proclamation and confronts both Jewish and Gentile audiences with divine authority. Doctrinal Formulation and Clarification Paul anchors core doctrines in γραφή. The death and resurrection of Christ occur “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Romans employs the term to define justification (Romans 4:3), election (Romans 9:17), and the universality of the gospel (Romans 10:11). Galatians cites γραφή to demonstrate the covenantal inclusion of the nations: “The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith” (Galatians 3:8). Guidance for Christian Conduct Beyond dogma, γραφή shapes ethics. James appeals to it to reinforce the royal law of love (James 2:8) and to rebuke pride (James 4:5). Peter cites γραφή to exhort believers to holiness, reminding them they are “a chosen and precious cornerstone” people (1 Peter 2:6). Safeguard against Misuse Peter warns that the “untaught and unstable distort” γραφή “to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Such misuse necessitates diligent study and submission to the divine intent, for “no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). The text itself guards its integrity and demands reverent handling. Continuity of the Testaments Romans 15:4 affirms, “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” γραφή links the covenant history of Israel with the eschatological hope of the Church, demonstrating the unity of God’s redemptive plan. Liturgical and Pastoral Application 1 Timothy 5:18 pairs Deuteronomy 25:4 with Luke 10:7 and calls both “Scripture,” signaling the emerging recognition of New Testament writings as γραφή alongside the Old Testament. The term thus informs ecclesial practice—worship, discipline, and social justice—by providing an inspired rule. Implications for Contemporary Ministry 1. Preaching: Expository proclamation remains the pattern modeled by Christ and the apostles. Summary Strong’s 1124 portrays Scripture as the breathed-out, self-interpreting, prophetic, Christ-centered, and eschatologically fulfilling Word of God. From validating the messiahship of Jesus to governing the life of the Church, γραφή functions as the supreme norm for faith and obedience throughout the New Testament witness. Forms and Transliterations γραφαι γραφαί γραφαὶ γραφαις γραφαίς γραφαῖς γραφας γραφάς γραφὰς γραφη γραφή γραφὴ γραφῇ γραφην γραφήν γραφὴν γραφης γραφής γραφῆς γραφίδι γραφων γραφών γραφῶν graphai graphaí graphaì graphais graphaîs graphas graphás graphàs graphe graphē graphḗ graphḕ graphêi graphē̂i graphen graphēn graphḗn graphḕn graphes graphês graphēs graphē̂s graphon graphôn graphōn graphō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 21:42 N-DFPGRK: ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς Λίθον ὃν NAS: read in the Scriptures, THE STONE KJV: in the scriptures, The stone INT: in the Scriptures [The] stone which Matthew 22:29 N-AFP Matthew 26:54 N-NFP Matthew 26:56 N-NFP Mark 12:10 N-AFS Mark 12:24 N-AFP Mark 14:49 N-NFP Mark 15:28 Noun-NFS Luke 4:21 N-NFS Luke 24:27 N-DFP Luke 24:32 N-AFP Luke 24:45 N-AFP John 2:22 N-DFS John 5:39 N-AFP John 7:38 N-NFS John 7:42 N-NFS John 10:35 N-NFS John 13:18 N-NFS John 17:12 N-NFS John 19:24 N-NFS John 19:28 N-NFS John 19:36 N-NFS John 19:37 N-NFS John 20:9 N-AFS Acts 1:16 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1124 |