Perfect Value: τίμιος (Strong’s G5093: timios) Reveals Faith’s Precious Worth

Strong’s G5093: An adjective meaning “precious, valuable, or honored,” derived from τιμή (value/honor). Used to describe both material worth and spiritual value, particularly regarding faith, Christ’s blood, and divine promises, emphasizing their supreme worth.

U- Unveiling the Word

τίμιος carries profound significance in expressing both material and spiritual value in the New Testament. This adjective describes things of exceptional worth, from precious stones to the blood of Christ. In its spiritual applications, it particularly emphasizes the supreme value of faith, divine promises, and redemption. The early church employed this term to express the incomparable worth of spiritual treasures compared to earthly riches. Today, it continues to challenge believers to properly value spiritual realities above material wealth, while recognizing God’s valuation of His people.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τίμιος, timios, /TI-mee-os/
• Detailed pronunciation: TEE-mee-os (emphasis on TEE)
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• From τιμή (time) – “value” or “honor”
• -ιος (-ios) – adjectival suffix indicating quality
• Expresses the quality of being valuable or honored

D – Defining Meanings

• Precious
• Valuable
• Honored
• Esteemed
• Costly

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but derived from τιμή with adjectival suffix

Translation Options:

• “Precious” – Emphasizing both value and emotional attachment
• “Valuable” – Focusing on worth
• “Honored” – Emphasizing dignity and respect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πολύτιμος (polutimos) /po-LOO-ti-mos/ – very precious or costly. See G4186
• ἔντιμος (entimos) /EN-ti-mos/ – highly valued or honored. See G1784
• βαρύτιμος (barutimos) /ba-ROO-ti-mos/ – very costly. See G927

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as an Adjective:

• Case: Nominative/Genitive/Dative/Accusative
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Gender: Masculine/Feminine/Neuter
• Declension: Second/First

Forms include:

• Masculine: τίμιος
• Feminine: τιμία
• Neuter: τίμιον
• Comparative: τιμιώτερος
• Superlative: τιμιώτατος

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τίμιος’s application to both material and spiritual worth. Thayer’s notes its progression from physical value to moral excellence. LSJ documents its use in commercial and honorific contexts. Vine’s highlights its special significance in describing Christ’s blood and Christian faith. Strong’s connects it to fundamental concepts of worth and honor. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its use in trade documents and personal letters. The synthesis reveals a term carefully chosen to express supreme worth, particularly in spiritual contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, [had in reputation] [τίμιος] among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;” Acts 5:34

Additional References:
1 Peter 1:19
Revelation 17:4
Revelation 21:11

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τίμιος appears in Scripture emphasizing the supreme worth of spiritual realities. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus’s blood is precious beyond measure, making those He redeems equally precious in God’s sight. This word challenges believers to recognize true value from God’s perspective, seeing that faith, divine promises, and spiritual inheritance far exceed earthly treasures in worth.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient jewelry appraisals and precious stone inventories.
2. Early Christians used it to describe martyrs’ blood as precious like Christ’s.
3. Appears in descriptions of the New Jerusalem’s foundations.

Strong’s G5093: An adjective meaning “precious, valuable, or honored,” derived from τιμή (value/honor). Used to describe both material worth and spiritual value, particularly regarding faith, Christ’s blood, and divine promises, emphasizing their supreme worth.

Part of speech: Adjective

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