Silencing Sin: φράσσω (Strong’s G5420: phrasso) Stops Every Mouth

Strong’s G5420: From a presumed strengthened form of the base of G5424; to fence or enclose, by implication to stop or silence, specifically in moral or judicial contexts. Used metaphorically to describe the act of stopping excuses or silencing objections.

U – Unveiling the Word

φράσσω (phrasso) carries deep significance in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In its primary sense, it means to fence in, block up, or put up barriers. However, in New Testament usage, particularly in Romans, it takes on a powerful theological meaning of silencing excuses or stopping mouths – specifically in the context of humanity’s accountability before God. The early church understood this term as highlighting the ultimate silencing of all human justification when confronted with divine righteousness. Today, it remains a potent reminder of how God’s law reveals our universal guilt and need for grace.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φράσσω, phrasso, FRAS-so
• Detailed Pronunciation: FRAS (as in ‘grass’) + so (as in ‘so’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: φράσσ- (phrass-) – to fence or block
• Ending: -ω (standard first-person singular present active indicative ending)

D – Defining Meanings

• To fence or block up
• To stop up, make impassable
• To silence, specifically in moral contexts

Translation Options:

• “to stop” – emphasizing the completeness of the blocking action
• “to silence” – particularly appropriate in moral/judicial contexts
• “to shut” – capturing the physical aspect while working in metaphorical contexts

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κλείω (kleio, KLI-o) – to shut or lock, focuses more on closing than blocking – See G2808
• ἐμφράσσω (emphrasso, em-FRAS-so) – to block up completely – See G1751

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: First
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive/Continuous

The word can appear in different forms:

• φράσσω (present active indicative)
• φράξω (future active indicative)
• ἔφραξα (aorist active indicative)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons agree on the fundamental meaning of φράσσω as “to fence” or “to block,” but each provides unique nuances. BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical usage in moral contexts, particularly in Romans 3:19. Thayer’s highlights its development from physical blocking to metaphorical silencing. LSJ provides extensive classical usage examples showing its evolution. Vine’s connects it to the broader theological concept of human accountability before God. Strong’s emphasizes its judicial context, while Moulton and Milligan provide papyri evidence of its use in legal documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Romans 3:19: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped [φράσσω] and all the world may become guilty before God.”

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 11:10
Hebrews 11:33

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

φράσσω serves as a powerful reminder of humanity’s position before God’s perfect law. While its literal meaning of blocking or fencing illustrates physical barriers, its theological usage in Romans 3:19 captures the moment when all human excuses fall silent before divine justice. This silencing, however, isn’t the end but rather the beginning of understanding our need for Christ’s redemption. When every mouth is stopped, the gospel’s message of grace becomes all the more precious.

D – Did You Know?

• φράσσω was commonly used in ancient military contexts to describe defensive fortifications
• The word appears in ancient medical texts describing the blocking of bodily passages
• Its usage in Romans 3:19 represents its only occurrence in Pauline literature dealing with divine judgment

Strong’s G5420: A verb denoting the act of fencing, blocking, or stopping, particularly used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the silencing of human excuses before divine judgment. From a presumed strengthened form of the base of G5424.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: silence, judgment, law, accountability, defense, barrier, divine-justice, moral-responsibility, pauline-epistles, legal-terms, theological-concepts