Divine Pattern: ὡσαύτως (Strong’s G5615: hōsautōs) Mirrors Heavenly Consistency

Strong’s G5615: From compound of ὡς and αὐτός, meaning “in like manner” or “likewise.” This adverb emphasizes exact similarity or correspondence, used in NT to highlight parallel actions or teachings, especially in contexts of divine instruction and ministerial conduct.

U- Unveiling the Word

ὡσαύτως represents more than simple similarity – it conveys a divine pattern of consistency. This adverb appears frequently in passages concerning church order, worship, and Christian conduct, suggesting that heavenly principles should be reflected in earthly practice. In Paul’s pastoral epistles, it connects parallel instructions, emphasizing that God’s standards apply equally across different groups within the church. The early church understood this word as a marker of divine consistency, reminding believers that God’s character and expectations remain unchanged. Today, it continues to teach us about the unchanging nature of God’s truth and the importance of consistent application of biblical principles.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὡσαύτως, hōsautōs, /ho-SAW-tos/
• Detailed pronunciation: hō (as in “hope”) + saw (as in “saw”) + tos (as in “toss”)
• Part of Speech: Adverb

Etymology:

• ὡς (hōs) – “as, like”
• αὐτός (autos) – “self, same”
• Combined to express “in the same way”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. In the same way
2. Likewise
3. Similarly

For compound words:
ὡς contributes the comparative aspect “as/like”
αὐτός adds the notion of exact sameness/identity

Translation Options:

1. “In the same way” – Best captures both comparison and exactness
2. “Likewise” – More concise but maintains meaning
3. “Just so” – Emphasizes the exactness of correspondence

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὁμοίως (homoiōs) /ho-MOY-os/ – Similar but emphasizes general likeness rather than exact correspondence. See G3668
• καθώς (kathōs) /ka-THOS/ – Emphasizes accordance or conformity. See G2531
• οὕτως (houtōs) /HOO-tos/ – Indicates manner or way. See G3779

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adverb, ὡσαύτως is indeclinable, meaning its form remains constant regardless of context. However, understanding its components helps appreciate its usage:

• Base form remains constant
• Modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
• Position in sentence can affect emphasis
• Can function as a discourse marker
• Related words:
• ὡσαύτως (adverb)
• ὅμοιος (adjective)
• ὁμοιόω (verb)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG identifies ὡσαύτως as marking close correspondence in manner or circumstance. Thayer’s emphasizes its use in marking parallel situations or instructions. LSJ notes its classical usage in philosophical works to indicate logical equivalence. Vine’s highlights its particular importance in pastoral contexts. Strong’s connects it to divine patterns of behavior. LEH notes its Septuagint usage in ritual contexts. Moulton and Milligan document its use in papyri for legal parallels. Together, these sources paint a picture of a word that carries significant weight in establishing patterns of divine truth and proper conduct.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 20:5: “Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did [ὡσαύτως] likewise.”

Additional References:
Mark 14:31, Luke 13:3, Romans 8:26, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:3, Titus 2:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ὡσαύτως serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unchanging nature and the consistency of His truth. It appears prominently in passages about church order and Christian conduct, emphasizing that God’s standards apply uniformly across all believers. This word proclaims the good news that our King Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” establishing patterns of righteousness that reflect His character. It reminds us that the divine principles that guided the early church remain equally relevant today, showing us how to live in accordance with God’s unchanging truth.

D – Did You Know?

1. ὡσαύτως appears frequently in ancient Greek mathematical texts to indicate logical equivalence
2. In the pastoral epistles, it often introduces parallel instructions for different church groups
3. The word played a crucial role in early church liturgical formulas

Strong’s G5615: From compound of ὡς and αὐτός, meaning “in like manner” or “likewise.” This adverb emphasizes exact similarity or correspondence, used in NT to highlight parallel actions or teachings, especially in contexts of divine instruction and ministerial conduct.

Part of speech: Adverb

Tags: likewise, manner, similarity, pattern, consistency, instruction, conduct, parallel, divine-order, church-leadership, pastoral-epistles, biblical-greek, new-testament​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​