Eternal Boundaries: τούτοις (Strong’s G5125: toutois) Establishes Divine Divisions

Strong’s G5125: The dative plural form of the demonstrative pronoun οὗτος/τοῦτο. In biblical contexts, particularly in Luke’s Gospel, it often indicates divine boundaries and spiritual distinctions, emphasizing the fixed nature of God’s eternal decrees.

U – Unveiling the Word

τούτοις carries specific significance in passages dealing with spiritual boundaries and divine ordinances. In Luke 16:26, it appears in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, marking the immutable boundary between the righteous and unrighteous in the afterlife. The early church recognized its importance in expressing established spiritual realities and divine determinations. As a dative form, it often indicates the sphere or realm where God’s decrees take effect. Today, it reminds us of the real and lasting nature of God’s spiritual boundaries.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τούτοις, toutois, /ˈtu.tois/
• Detailed Pronunciation: TOO-toyss (where ‘oo’ is like in “too”)
• Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun (Dative Plural)

Etymology:

• From οὗτος/τοῦτο demonstrative stem
• Root: του- (tou-) demonstrative element
• Ending: -τοις (-tois) dative plural marker

D – Defining Meanings

• To these (things/people)
• Among these
• For these

For compound words: Not applicable as τούτοις is an inflected form

Translation Options:

• “to these” – emphasizing recipients/objects
• “among these” – indicating sphere/realm
• “besides these” – marking additional elements

E – Exploring Similar Words

• αὐτοῖς (autois) /au.ˈtois/ – to them See G846
• ἐκείνοις (ekeinois) /e.ˈkei.nois/ – to those See G1565
• ταύταις (tautais) /ˈtau.tais/ – to these (feminine) See G3778

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Dative
• Number: Plural
• Gender: Masculine/Neuter
• Type: Demonstrative

Used in dative contexts indicating:

• Indirect object
• Location/sphere
• Means/instrument
• Association

Cross-references: Part of the complete demonstrative system οὗτος/αὕτη/τοῦτο

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons highlight τούτοις’s specific role in Greek grammar and theology. BDAG emphasizes its use in marking fixed boundaries or established principles. Thayer’s notes its function in indicating spheres of divine activity. LSJ documents its classical usage in legal and philosophical texts. Vine’s highlights its importance in spiritual distinctions. Strong’s connects it to established boundaries. Moulton and Milligan show its use in formal declarations. LEH demonstrates its role in Septuagint descriptions of divine ordinances.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“And besides all these things, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.” Luke 16:26

Additional References:
John 5:38
Acts 4:16
2 Peter 1:12

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Plato: Laws	“In these matters the law must remain unchangeable.”
Demosthenes: Orations	“Besides these things, consider the evidence presented.”
Aristotle: Politics	“Among these circumstances, justice must prevail.”

N – Noteworthy Summary

τούτοις powerfully expresses the reality of divine boundaries and spiritual distinctions. Its use in Luke’s Gospel particularly emphasizes the eternal consequences of our response to the good news of King Jesus. This grammatical form reminds us that God’s spiritual realities are not mere suggestions but established truths that define eternal destinies. It proclaims both the seriousness of divine judgment and the certainty of God’s promises to His people.

D – Did You Know?

• τούτοις often marks pivotal points in parables about eternal destiny
• Early church fathers used it to establish doctrinal boundaries
• The word appears frequently in passages about spiritual discernment

Strong’s G5125: The dative plural form of the demonstrative pronoun οὗτος/τοῦτο. In biblical contexts, particularly in Luke’s Gospel, it often indicates divine boundaries and spiritual distinctions, emphasizing the fixed nature of God’s eternal decrees.

Part of speech: Demonstrative Pronoun (Dative Plural)

Tags: boundaries, distinction, eternal-destiny, divine-decree, judgment, separation, Luke, parable, spiritual-reality, fixed-truth, determination, ordinance​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​