Brief Overview of Γωνία (G1137: Gōnia)

Gōnia (pronounced go-NEE-ah, γωνία) is a Greek noun found under Strong’s Concordance number G1137. The word is derived from the Greek root γωνία (gōnia), meaning “corner” or “angle.” In its primary sense, Gōnia refers to a physical corner, such as the corner of a building, a street, or a structure. The term can also be used metaphorically in scripture to represent something foundational or significant, such as the “cornerstone,” which is crucial to the stability and integrity of a building. In biblical contexts, Gōnia is often used to symbolize strength, foundation, and the beginning or end of something.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Gōnia is defined as “corner” or “angle,” with a particular focus on its use in architectural contexts. BDAG emphasizes that Gōnia is often used in the New Testament to refer to a cornerstone, which is the principal stone placed at the corner of a building, ensuring its stability. The lexicon highlights the metaphorical use of Gōnia in passages where Christ is referred to as the “chief cornerstone,” symbolizing His foundational role in the church.

Thayer’s Lexicon concurs with BDAG, defining Gōnia as “corner” or “angle.” Thayer’s emphasizes the architectural significance of the term, noting that Gōnia is used in the Bible to describe the corners of structures, particularly in relation to foundational stones or cornerstones. The lexicon also discusses the metaphorical application of Gōnia in describing Christ’s role in the spiritual foundation of the church.

The LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) lexicon supports these definitions, describing Gōnia as “corner” or “angle” and noting its common usage in architectural and geometric contexts in ancient Greek literature. LSJ points out that Gōnia was frequently used to describe the corners of buildings, streets, or other physical structures. The term is also noted for its metaphorical application in classical literature, where corners or angles could represent pivotal points or significant junctures.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance describes Gōnia as “corner” or “angle,” focusing on its literal meaning as well as its metaphorical implications. The concordance highlights the term’s use in key New Testament passages, particularly those that describe Christ as the cornerstone of the church, emphasizing the foundational and stabilizing role that the cornerstone plays in construction.

Gōnia is directly mentioned in several New Testament passages. For example, in Matthew 21:42, Jesus says, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (γωνία); this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” This passage highlights the metaphorical use of Gōnia to represent Christ as the cornerstone of the faith. Another significant reference is in Ephesians 2:20, where Paul writes, “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone (γωνία).”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

In classical Greek literature, Gōnia is used primarily in its literal sense to describe physical corners or angles. One example is in the writings of Herodotus, where Gōnia is used to describe the corners of various structures or geographic locations. This usage reflects the practical application of the term in describing physical spaces.

Another example can be found in Plato’s dialogues, where Gōnia is used in discussions of geometry and architecture, particularly in the context of understanding shapes, forms, and the importance of angles in construction. Plato’s use of the term illustrates its relevance in the fields of mathematics and architectural design.

A third example is from Aristotle, who uses Gōnia in his works on physics and metaphysics to discuss the properties of angles and their significance in the natural world. Aristotle’s application of the term shows its broad usage in both scientific and philosophical contexts, where understanding the concept of angles and corners was essential to comprehending the physical and abstract world.

Summary

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Gōnia (pronounced go-NEE-ah, γωνία) is a Greek noun meaning “corner” or “angle,” derived from the root γωνία. The term is used both literally and metaphorically in the New Testament and classical Greek literature to describe physical corners or angles, as well as foundational elements such as the cornerstone. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ describe Gōnia as an important term in architectural and geometric contexts, highlighting its role in ensuring the stability and integrity of structures. In the New Testament, Gōnia is most notably used to refer to Christ as the cornerstone of the church, symbolizing His foundational role in the Christian faith. In classical Greek literature, Gōnia is used to describe physical structures, angles, and significant junctures, emphasizing its importance in various fields such as architecture, geometry, and philosophy.