Brief Overview of ποίημα (Strong’s G4161: poiēma)

Strong’s G4161: A noun derived from ποιέω (to make), referring to something made or created, a workmanship or masterpiece. In the New Testament, it specifically relates to God’s creative works, both in nature and in the spiritual transformation of believers into new creations.

U- Unveiling the Word

Ποίημα represents the product or result of creative activity, emphasizing both divine craftsmanship and artistic excellence. In the New Testament, it appears in two significant contexts: God’s creation revealing His eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20), and believers as God’s workmanship in Christ (Ephesians 2:10). The early church understood this term as highlighting both natural and spiritual creation, seeing believers as God’s masterpiece. Today, it reminds us of both God’s creative power and His ongoing work of transformation in believers.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ποίημα, poiēma, /poy’-ay-mah/
• Detailed Pronunciation: p (plosive) + oy (diphthong) + ay (vowel) + mah (final syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: ποιέ- (poie-) from ποιέω (to make)
• Suffix: -μα (-ma) forming a result noun
• Function: Creates a noun indicating the product of making/creating

D – Defining Meanings

• Something made
• Workmanship
• Creation
• Masterpiece
• Work of art

Translation Options:

• Workmanship – Emphasizes skilled craftsmanship
• Creation – Highlights the creative aspect
• Masterpiece – Stresses the artistic excellence

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κτίσμα (ktisma) /ktis’-mah/ – refers specifically to something created – See G2938
• ἔργον (ergon) /er’-gon/ – refers to work or deed in general – See G2041
• δημιούργημα (dēmiourgēma) /day-me-oor’-gay-mah/ – refers to something crafted – See G1217

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: 3rd declension

Examples:
Singular:

• Nominative/Accusative: ποίημα
• Genitive: ποιήματος
• Dative: ποιήματι

Plural:

• Nominative/Accusative: ποιήματα
• Genitive: ποιημάτων
• Dative: ποιήμασι

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its connection to divine workmanship. Thayer’s notes its artistic connotations. LSJ traces its development in classical literature. Vine’s highlights its use in both natural and spiritual creation. Strong’s connects it to artistic production. LEH discusses its rare Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan document its use in artistic contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
Romans 1:20: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made [ποιήμασιν].”

Additional References:
Ephesians 2:10

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Ποίημα beautifully captures both God’s creative power in nature and His transformative work in believers. It proclaims the good news that we are God’s masterpiece in Christ, created anew for good works that He has prepared for us to walk in.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ποίημα gives us the English word “poem”
2. It appears only twice in the New Testament but in crucial theological contexts
3. Ancient Greek artists often signed their works with “ποίημα of [artist’s name]”

Strong’s G4161: A noun derived from ποιέω (to make), referring to something made or created, a workmanship or masterpiece. In the New Testament, it specifically relates to God’s creative works, both in nature and in the spiritual transformation of believers into new creations.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: creation, workmanship, masterpiece, divine craftsmanship, spiritual transformation, new creation, artwork, creative work, Biblical Greek, New Testament terminology, Romans, Ephesians​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​