G2909

Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is essential for grasping the full meaning and depth of the original scriptures. The Greek adjective κρείττων (kreittōn) is particularly significant in the New Testament because it is used to express the idea of something being “better,” “superior,” or “more excellent.” It first appears in 1 Corinthians 11:17, where Paul uses it to describe the actions of the Corinthian church gatherings, suggesting that their conduct was not “better” but worse. The use of κρείττων provides crucial insight into ethical, moral, and comparative teachings in both New Testament texts and ancient Greek literature.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: κρείττων (kreittōn) [KRAY-ton]

Etymology: The word κρείττων is derived from the Greek root κράτος (kratos), meaning “strength” or “power.” The adjective κρείττων evolved from this root to convey the concept of “stronger,” “better,” or “superior,” often used in comparisons to denote superiority in quality, value, or preference.

Part of Speech: Adjective. κρείττων is a comparative adjective of the third declension, which is used to compare two or more entities, indicating that one is “better” or “stronger” than the other. It appears in various grammatical cases based on its function in a sentence.

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Defining Meanings

Better or Superior: The primary meaning of κρείττων is “better” or “superior.” This term is often used to compare two things, suggesting that one is preferable or holds a higher status or quality than the other.

Stronger: κρείττων can also mean “stronger,” indicating superiority in strength, whether in a physical, moral, or spiritual sense.

More Excellent: In some contexts, κρείττων is understood as “more excellent,” emphasizing the highest quality or degree of something in comparison to another.

Exploring Similar Words

κρεῖσσον (kreisson) [KRAY-son]: This word is closely related to κρείττων and also means “better” or “more advantageous.” However, κρεῖσσον may focus more on practical or advantageous aspects, while κρείττων can imply a broader superiority in terms of quality or morality.

ἀμείνων (ameinōn) [ah-MAY-nohn]: Another comparative adjective meaning “better” or “more fitting,” ἀμείνων often emphasizes ethical or moral appropriateness rather than just general superiority.

ἄριστος (aristos) [AH-ris-tos]: Meaning “best” or “most excellent,” ἄριστος represents the superlative form rather than the comparative. While κρείττων compares two things, ἄριστος identifies the highest quality among many.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender: κρείττων is an adjective of the third declension. It has forms for the masculine, feminine, and neuter genders and varies depending on the case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative) and number (singular, plural) to agree with the noun it modifies.

Declension: The declension of κρείττων is shown in the following table:

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The word κρείττων is recognized in Greek lexicons as a comparative adjective meaning “better,” “stronger,” or “superior.” In the New Testament, it is often employed to highlight the superiority of spiritual or ethical choices. For example, in 1 Corinthians 11:17, Paul uses κρείττων to critique the Corinthian church’s behavior, implying their gatherings were not making things “better” but rather worse. The term is also used to emphasize the superiority of Christ’s priesthood (Hebrews 7:22) and covenant over the old covenant. In classical Greek literature, κρείττων is commonly used in philosophical and rhetorical texts to compare virtues, qualities, or actions, underscoring the importance of choosing the “better” path. Its use in both New Testament and classical contexts highlights the term’s broad applicability in conveying superiority in moral, ethical, or qualitative terms.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1 Corinthians 11:17: “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better (κρείττων), but for the worse.”

Hebrews 7:22: “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better (κρείττων) testament.”

Hebrews 11:16: “But now they desire a better (κρείττων) country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word κρείττων (kreittōn) is an essential comparative adjective used to express ideas of superiority, strength, and ethical preference. In the New Testament, it is employed to denote spiritual or ethical advantages, as seen in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and the Hebrews. Classical Greek literature and the Septuagint also frequently use κρείττων to compare virtues, qualities, or paths, reinforcing its broad application in discussions of ethics, morality, and spiritual wisdom. Recognizing its usage helps to understand better the value judgments and teachings in both biblical and ancient Greek contexts.

Did You Know?

Did you know? The word κρείττων is often used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew words that signify something being “better” or “more desirable,” indicating its long-standing use in Jewish-Greek thought.

Did you know? In ancient Greek philosophy, κρείττων was frequently used to debate what was “better” or “superior,” influencing ethical and moral discussions in the New Testament.

Did you know? The concept of κρείττων as “better” or “superior” also ties into Greek ideas of virtue and excellence, which were key themes in both philosophical and theological discourse.