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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding key Greek terms like λύσις (lysīs) can enrich our interpretation of the text by revealing deeper layers of meaning. λύσις appears in 1 Corinthians 7:27, where Paul is discussing marital and social bonds. The word captures the idea of release, specifically from a bond, such as a marriage or legal obligation. In the broader context of ancient Greek culture, λύσις was frequently used in legal and philosophical discussions to denote the resolution or dissolution of a contract or bond. This makes it particularly significant in understanding the cultural and legal framework of the New Testament.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: λύσις (lysīs) [LOO-sis].
Etymology: λύσις is derived from the verb λύω (lyō), which means “to loose” or “to release.” The noun form, λύσις, conveys the act or state of being loosed, released, or set free. It often appears in contexts involving the dissolution of legal, social, or physical bonds.
Part of Speech: Noun (feminine). As a noun, λύσις represents the abstract concept of release, particularly in a legal or relational sense.
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Defining Meanings

1. Release or Loosing: The primary meaning of λύσις is “release” or “loosing.” In 1 Corinthians 7:27, it refers to being released from the bonds of marriage, emphasizing freedom from a legal or social obligation.
2. Dissolution of Bonds: λύσις can also refer to the dissolution of any kind of bond, whether it be marital, legal, or even spiritual. This makes it an important term in discussions about freedom and release from burdens or contracts.
3. Liberation: In a more general sense, λύσις can also indicate liberation or freedom from captivity, aligning with its root meaning of “setting free.”

Exploring Similar Words

1. ἀπολύω (apolyō) [ah-po-LOO-oh]: Meaning “to release” or “to set free,” this verb is closely related to λύσις but emphasizes the action of releasing, rather than the state or result of the release. It is often used in contexts of freeing someone from bondage or imprisonment.
2. ἐλευθερία (eleutheria) [el-you-theh-REE-ah]: This word means “freedom” or “liberty” and is used to describe the state of being free from oppression or legal constraints. Unlike λύσις, which focuses on the act of release, ἐλευθερία emphasizes the resulting state of freedom.
3. διαλύω (dialyō) [dee-ah-LOO-oh]: Meaning “to dissolve” or “to break apart,” this word is used in a broader sense to describe the breaking of bonds or relationships, similar to λύσις but with a focus on the action of dissolving rather than the state of being released.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a feminine noun, λύσις follows the third declension in Greek.

Case, Number, Gender:

• Case: λύσις can appear in any case depending on its function in a sentence. In 1 Corinthians 7:27, it appears in the genitive case, indicating possession or association (“from a bond of λύσις”).
• Number: Singular, as it refers to a singular act of release. However, the plural form (λύσεις) could refer to multiple releases or dissolutions.
• Gender: Feminine, as is typical for abstract nouns in Greek.

Declension: λύσις follows the third declension pattern.

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The word λύσις appears in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 7:27, where Paul addresses matters related to marriage and social bonds. In this context, λύσις is used to describe the release from a marital bond, indicating that believers should not seek to dissolve their marriages if already bound. Theologically, this term is significant as it captures Paul’s broader discussion of Christian liberty and responsibility within the context of social obligations.

In classical Greek literature, λύσις was often used in legal contexts to describe the dissolution of contracts or agreements. It also had philosophical connotations, particularly in discussions about freedom from physical or metaphysical bonds. Plato and Aristotle used λύσις in their writings to describe the resolution of problems or the release from constraints, whether physical, moral, or intellectual.

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

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. 1 Corinthians 7:27: “Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released (λύσιν). Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.”
2. Acts 22:30 (Indirect use of the root verb λύω): “But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound (λύσας) him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, λύσις frequently referred to the act of releasing someone from bondage or dissolving an agreement. It was a common term in legal contexts and philosophical discussions about freedom.

Noteworthy Summary

λύσις (lysīs) is a powerful term in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature, representing the concept of release or freedom from a bond. In 1 Corinthians 7:27, it captures Paul’s teaching on marriage, urging believers not to seek dissolution of their marital commitments. The term also had broad legal and philosophical applications in ancient Greek culture, often used to describe the dissolution of contracts or freedom from obligations. Understanding λύσις deepens our comprehension of Paul’s writings on social and spiritual freedom.

Did You Know?

1. The word λύσις is closely related to the verb λύω, which means “to loose” or “to release,” and is used frequently throughout the New Testament.
2. In philosophical writings, λύσις was used to describe the release of the soul from the body, especially in the works of Plato.
3. λύσις was a common legal term in ancient Greece, used to describe the dissolution of agreements, contracts, or marriages.