Probing Questions: τίς (Strong’s G5101: tis) Prompts Spiritual Reflection

Strong’s G5101: An interrogative pronoun meaning “who? which? what?” Used extensively in the New Testament for direct questions, particularly in Jesus’ teachings and rhetorical questions that prompt spiritual self-examination and theological reflection.

U- Unveiling the Word

τίς serves as a powerful tool for spiritual inquiry and self-examination in the New Testament. Unlike its indefinite counterpart (τις), this interrogative pronoun introduces questions that demand reflection and response. Jesus frequently used it to challenge assumptions and prompt deeper understanding, while the apostles employed it to engage readers in theological reasoning. The early church recognized its role in both catechesis and apologetics, using probing questions to deepen faith and defend truth. Today, it continues to model how asking the right questions can lead to spiritual growth and understanding.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τίς, tis, /TEES/
• Detailed pronunciation: TEES (emphatic, with rising tone)
• Part of Speech: Interrogative Pronoun

Etymology:

• From Proto-Indo-European *kʷís
• Primary word with no prefixes or suffixes
• Distinguished from indefinite τις by accent

D – Defining Meanings

• Who?
• Which?
• What?
• Which one?
• What sort?

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but a primary pronoun

Translation Options:

• “Who?” – For personal inquiries
• “What?” – For general questions
• “Which?” – For choices among options

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ποῖος (poios) /POY-os/ – what kind? what sort? See G4169
• πόσος (posos) /PO-sos/ – how much? how many? See G4214
• πότε (pote) /PO-te/ – when? at what time? See G4219

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a Pronoun:

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

Forms include:

• Nominative: τίς/τί
• Genitive: τίνος
• Dative: τίνι
• Accusative: τίνα/τί
• Plural forms follow similar patterns

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes τίς’s role in both direct and rhetorical questions. Thayer’s notes its use in various types of inquiry. LSJ documents its extensive use in classical Greek dialogue. Vine’s highlights its importance in Jesus’ teaching method. Strong’s connects it to fundamental concepts of inquiry and examination. Moulton and Milligan show its common usage in everyday questions. The synthesis reveals a term crucial for engaging readers in active theological reflection.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, [who] [τίς] hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matthew 3:7

Additional References:
Matthew 6:27
Mark 2:7
Luke 5:21
John 1:19

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τίς appears throughout Scripture as a tool for spiritual engagement and discovery. It proclaims the good news by inviting personal response to King Jesus through thoughtful questions. This word reminds us that faith seeks understanding through active inquiry, and that the right questions can lead to deeper truth. It demonstrates how Jesus and the apostles used questions to guide people toward spiritual revelation.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used over 500 times in the New Testament.
2. Forms the basis for many theological inquiry terms.
3. Often marks pivotal moments in Jesus’ teaching.

Strong’s G5101: An interrogative pronoun meaning “who? which? what?” Used extensively in the New Testament for direct questions, particularly in Jesus’ teachings and rhetorical questions that prompt spiritual self-examination and theological reflection.

Part of speech: Interrogative Pronoun

Tags: questions, inquiry, teaching, examination, reflection, dialogue, rhetoric, spiritual growth, understanding, investigation, wisdom, discovery​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​