Brief Overview of ῥῆγμα (Strong’s G4485: rhēgma)

Strong’s G4485: A neuter noun meaning “fracture,” “break,” or “ruin,” derived from ῥήγνυμι (to break). In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’s parable of the two foundations, describing the complete collapse of a house built on sand, symbolizing the destruction of a life not founded on Christ’s teachings.

U- Unveiling the Word

Ῥῆγμα carries profound theological significance in its New Testament usage, particularly in Jesus’s teaching about spiritual foundations. The word conveys not just a simple crack or break, but a catastrophic collapse or ruin. In the parable of the two foundations, it represents the complete destruction of a life built without proper spiritual foundation. Early church fathers like Augustine and Chrysostom used this imagery to emphasize the importance of building one’s life on Christ’s teachings. Today, it continues to serve as a powerful warning about the consequences of rejecting or neglecting Christ’s words as our life’s foundation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ῥῆγμα, rhēgma, /rayg-mah/
• Detailed pronunciation: RAYG-mah (with emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)

Etymology:

• Root: ῥήγ- from ῥήγνυμι (to break, burst)
• Suffix: -μα (indicates result of action)
• Formation pattern typical of Greek nouns denoting result of verbal action

D – Defining Meanings

• A break or fracture
• A complete collapse or ruin
• The result of breaking or bursting

For compound words:
This is not a compound word but a simple derivative with a result suffix.

Translation Options:

• “collapse” – emphasizing the total destruction
• “ruin” – highlighting the final result
• “breaking” – focusing on the process of destruction

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnymi) /rayg-noo-mee/ – the verb “to break” from which ῥῆγμα derives
  See G4486
• πτῶσις (ptōsis) /ptoh-sis/ – a falling or collapse, similar concept
  See G4431

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a neuter noun:

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

Example forms:

• Nominative/Accusative singular: ῥῆγμα
• Genitive singular: ῥήγματος
• Dative singular: ῥήγματι
• Nominative/Accusative plural: ῥήγματα

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in describing catastrophic structural failure. Thayer’s connects it to the concept of complete destruction. LSJ provides examples from classical literature involving structural collapse. Vine’s highlights its metaphorical significance in Jesus’s teaching. Strong’s connects it to sudden, violent breaking. Moulton and Milligan note its technical usage in building contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the [ῥῆγμα] ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:49

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Ῥῆγμα powerfully illustrates the devastating consequences of rejecting Christ as our foundation. Its use in Jesus’s parable proclaims the good news that He offers Himself as the only secure foundation for our lives. This word warns of the danger of superficial faith while pointing to the safety and security found in building our lives on the solid rock of Christ’s teachings.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in ancient medical texts to describe bone fractures.
2. Ancient architects used this term when discussing structural failures in building projects.
3. Early Christian writers used this word to describe the spiritual collapse of those who abandoned their faith under persecution.

Strong’s G4485: A neuter noun meaning “fracture,” “break,” or “ruin,” derived from ῥήγνυμι (to break). In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’s parable of the two foundations, describing the complete collapse of a house built on sand, symbolizing the destruction of a life not founded on Christ’s teachings.

Part of speech: Noun (neuter)

Tags: ruin, collapse, destruction, foundation, parable, Jesus’s teachings, spiritual foundation, breaking, catastrophe, building, wisdom, discipleship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​