Divine Grace: τρύπημα (Strong’s G5169: trupema) Reveals Salvation’s Path

Strong’s G5169: A neuter noun meaning “hole” or “eye,” trupema appears in Jesus’ teaching about salvation’s impossibility through human effort. Used specifically for a needle’s eye, it emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention for entering God’s kingdom.

U- Unveiling the Word

The Greek word τρύπημα (trupema) literally refers to a hole made by boring or piercing, specifically appearing in Jesus’ famous illustration of a camel passing through a needle’s eye. This word emphasizes absolute impossibility, making Jesus’ point about the impossibility of entering God’s kingdom through human means even more striking. The early church fathers frequently used τρύπημα when discussing salvation’s complete dependence on divine grace. Today, this word continues to remind believers that entrance into God’s kingdom comes solely through His miraculous intervention.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τρύπημα, trupema, TROO-pay-mah
• Detailed pronunciation: τρύ (TROO) + πη (pay) + μα (mah)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: τρυπάω (trupao) meaning “to bore/pierce”
• Suffix: -μα (-ma) forming result noun
• Basic meaning: “bored hole”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: “hole”
• Pierced opening
• Needle’s eye
• Drilled aperture

For compound words: Not applicable as τρύπημα is a simple noun

Translation Options:

1. “eye” – Specific needle context
2. “hole” – General meaning
3. “perforation” – Technical meaning

E – Exploring Similar Words

τρυμαλιά (trumalia) [troo-mah-lee-AH] – hole/eye – See G5168
ὀπή (ope) [o-PAY] – hole/opening – See G3692
ῥαφίς (rhaphis) [rha-FEES] – needle – See G4476

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Varies by usage
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Third

Greek nouns change form based on their function:

• Nominative: τρύπημα (subject)
• Genitive: τρυπήματος (possession)
• Dative: τρυπήματι (indirect object)
• Accusative: τρύπημα (direct object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Major lexicons provide rich insight into τρύπημα’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its technical meaning as a bored or pierced hole. Thayer’s lexicon traces its development from the verb meaning to bore or pierce. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek for manufactured holes and openings. Vine’s expands on its theological significance in Jesus’ teaching about salvation. Strong’s confirms its basic meaning while LEH adds valuable context from Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan’s papyrological evidence shows its technical use in craft and construction contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye [τρυπήματος] of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence of τρύπημα in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word τρύπημα powerfully illustrates the absolute impossibility of human-achieved salvation. Through this vivid image of a needle’s eye, Jesus teaches that entering God’s kingdom requires divine intervention. This promotes the good news by showing that what is impossible with man is possible with God. Through τρύπημα, we see that salvation comes not through human effort but through God’s miraculous grace.

D – Did You Know?

1. τρύπημα was a technical term in ancient manufacturing
2. It appears in medical texts describing surgical procedures
3. The word influenced early Christian art depicting the parable

Strong’s G5169: A neuter noun meaning “hole” or “eye,” trupema appears in Jesus’ teaching about salvation’s impossibility through human effort. Used specifically for a needle’s eye, it emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention for entering God’s kingdom.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: hole, eye, needle, impossibility, salvation, grace, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, Koine Greek, metaphor, kingdom entrance, divine intervention​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​