Divine Affection: τεκνίον (Strong’s G5040: teknion) Reveals God’s Tender Love

Strong’s G5040: A diminutive noun expressing deep affection, meaning “little child” or “dear child.” In biblical usage, particularly in John’s writings, it conveys intimate spiritual relationship and pastoral care, emphasizing the tender love between spiritual parents and their converts.

U- Unveiling the Word

Τεκνίον represents one of the most endearing terms in the New Testament, expressing deep spiritual affection and pastoral care. As a diminutive form of τέκνον (child), it carries extra warmth and tenderness. Jesus uses it when addressing His disciples in John 13:33, showing His intimate love for them. John, the “apostle of love,” frequently employs this term in his letters to express spiritual parenthood and nurturing care. Early church fathers adopted this language to express the tender relationship between spiritual mentors and their disciples. Today, it reminds us of both God’s tender love for His children and the nurturing care that should characterize Christian leadership.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τεκνίον, teknion, /tek-NEE-on/
• Detailed Pronunciation: tek (as in “technology”) – NEE (as in “knee”) – on (as in “on”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• From τέκνον (teknon) meaning “child”
• Diminutive suffix -ιον indicating endearment
• Root from τίκτω (tiktō) meaning “to bear/beget”

D – Defining Meanings

• Little child
• Dear child
• Beloved child
• Cherished one

For compound words: The diminutive suffix -ιον adds the sense of endearment and tenderness to the base word τέκνον

Translation Options:

• Little children – Captures diminutive form
• Dear children – Emphasizes affection
• Beloved ones – Reflects emotional warmth

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τέκνον (teknon) /TEK-non/ – Child (without diminutive)
  See G5043
• παιδίον (paidion) /pai-DEE-on/ – Little child, infant
  See G3813
• υἱός (huios) /hwee-OS/ – Son
  See G5207

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a neuter noun, τεκνίον exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular and Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Nominative plural: τεκνία (little children)
• Vocative plural: τεκνία (O little children)
  Most commonly used in vocative plural when addressing believers.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources emphasize τεκνίον’s unique emotional quality. BDAG highlights its use in expressing intimate spiritual relationships. Thayer’s notes its special connection to John’s writings. LSJ documents its rare usage in classical Greek, making it more distinctive in New Testament context. Vine’s emphasizes its expression of tender affection. Strong’s connects it to concepts of spiritual nurture. Moulton and Milligan show its uncommon usage in everyday language, suggesting its special Christian significance. LEH discusses its appearance in early Christian literature expressing pastoral care.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
John 13:33: “My little children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”

Additional References:
1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 2:28, 1 John 3:7, 1 John 3:18, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:21

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Τεκνίον beautifully expresses the tender love that characterizes God’s relationship with His people. Its use by Jesus and John reveals the intimate nature of divine love and spiritual nurture. The good news of King Jesus shines through as we see that we’re not merely servants but beloved children of God, cherished and tenderly cared for. This word reminds us that the gospel creates intimate family relationships, both with God and within His church.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used almost exclusively by John in the New Testament
2. One of Jesus’ most tender forms of address to His disciples
3. Became a common term of endearment in early Christian letters

Strong’s G5040: A diminutive noun expressing deep affection, meaning “little child” or “dear child.” In biblical usage, particularly in John’s writings, it conveys intimate spiritual relationship and pastoral care, emphasizing the tender love between spiritual parents and their converts.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: affection, children, love, pastoral-care, spiritual-family, john, nurture, discipleship, relationship, tenderness, intimacy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​