Biblical Lips: χεῖλος (Strong’s G5491: cheilos) Reveals Divine Worship’s Heart

Strong’s G5491: A primitive Greek noun meaning “lip” or “edge,” χεῖλος appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts throughout Scripture, particularly in references to worship, speech, and margins/borders. Its usage spans from physical description to spiritual significance in expressing praise and declaration of faith.

U- Unveiling the Word

The word χεῖλος stands as a testament to the profound connection between physical expression and spiritual devotion. In its most basic form, it refers to the physical lips, but its theological significance extends far beyond mere anatomy. In the New Testament, it often appears in contexts of worship and proclamation, highlighting the intimate relationship between our physical bodies and spiritual expression. The early church understood χεῖλος as not just a bodily feature but as an instrument of praise and testimony. This understanding remains relevant today as we consider how our speech and worship reflect our heart’s condition, reminding us that true worship involves our whole being, not just our words.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: χεῖλος, cheilos, /khi-los/
• Detailed pronunciation: khei (as in “key”) + los (as in “loss”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: χεῖλ- (cheil-) – primitive Greek root
• Suffix: -ος (-os) – common nominal ending in Greek

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary lip or lips of the mouth
• Edge or border of something
• Shore or bank (metaphorical extension)

For compound words: Not applicable as χεῖλος is a primitive word

Translation Options:

• Lip/lips – most precise for physical context
• Speech/words – when used metonymically
• Edge/border – when referring to boundaries

E – Exploring Similar Words

• στόμα (stoma, /sto-ma/) – mouth, differing in referring to the whole mouth rather than just lips
  See G4750
• γλῶσσα (glossa, /glo-sa/) – tongue, focusing on the organ of speech rather than the lips
  See G1100

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Morphological Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular (χεῖλος), Plural (χείλη)
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Third declension

The word follows regular neuter third declension patterns. In English, we mainly see this morphology in the singular/plural distinction (lip/lips).

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons consistently emphasize χεῖλος’s dual nature as both a physical and metaphorical term. BDAG highlights its use in contexts of worship and divine service, while Thayer’s emphasizes its metaphorical extension to borders and edges. LSJ provides extensive classical usage examples, showing its semantic range from anatomical description to geographical features. Vine’s notes its particular importance in Septuagint quotations within the New Testament, especially regarding worship. Moulton and Milligan’s papyrological evidence suggests common usage in both literal and metaphorical senses in everyday Koine Greek.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 15:8: “These people honor Me with their [χεῖλος] lips, but their hearts are far from Me.”

Additional References:
Mark 7:6, Romans 3:13, 1 Corinthians 14:21, Hebrews 11:12, Hebrews 13:15

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The study of χεῖλος reveals the profound connection between our physical expression and spiritual reality. In the New Testament, it serves as a powerful reminder that true worship must involve both our external actions and internal devotion. This word teaches us that the Messiah looks beyond our verbal declarations to examine our hearts, calling us to align our speech with genuine faith. The good news is that through His Spirit, we can offer sincere praise with our lips that reflects a heart transformed by His grace.

D – Did You Know?

• In ancient Greek medical texts, χεῖλος was used technically to describe both human and animal anatomy
• The word appears over 100 times in the Septuagint, often in contexts of praise and prayer
• The metaphorical use of χεῖλος for “edge” influenced modern Greek geographical terminology

Strong’s G5491: A fundamental Greek noun denoting “lip” or “edge,” χεῖλος carries both literal and metaphorical significance in Scripture. It appears prominently in contexts of worship and divine service, while also serving to describe physical boundaries and edges, demonstrating the word’s versatility in biblical usage.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: worship, speech, anatomy, praise, declaration, boundaries, edges, expression, testimony, divine-service​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​