from ἔξω; external(-ly):--out(-side, -ward, - wardly), (from) without.
Transliteration:éxōthen
Pronunciation:ex'-o-then
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb ἔξωθεν (G1855, *exōthen*) is derived from ἔξω (G1854, *exō*), meaning "outside," with the suffix -θεν (-*then*) indicating origin or direction "from." Thus, its core meaning is "from the outside," "from without," or "outwardly." It denotes a position, action, or state that originates from an external source or is manifest on the exterior. This can apply to physical location, as well as to more abstract or figurative distinctions between what is external and what is internal. Its semantic range therefore encompasses notions of external appearance, outward action, and the boundary between an inner state and an outer manifestation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἔξωθεν appears frequently in the New Testament, often in contexts that highlight a crucial distinction between the external and internal.
In the Synoptic Gospels, particularly in the teachings of Jesus, ἔξωθεν is central to challenging superficial piety. In [[Mark 7:15]], Jesus declares, "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." This radical statement, further elaborated in [[Mark 7:18-23]], directly contrasts what enters from *exōthen* (food, external practices) with what originates *ἔσωθεν* (G2081, *esōthen*)—from within the heart—as the true source of defilement. This passage fundamentally redefines purity from a matter of external ritual observance to one of internal moral condition.
Similarly, in [[Matthew 23:27-28]], Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees, likening them to "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly (ἔξωθεν) appear beautiful, but within (ἔσωθεν) are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." He continues, "So you also outwardly (ἔξωθεν) appear righteous to people, but within (ἔσωθεν) you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." A parallel condemnation is found in [[Luke 11:39-40]], where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for cleaning the *outside* (ἔξωθεν) of the cup while the *inside* (ἔσωθεν) is full of greed and wickedness. These passages powerfully use ἔξωθεν to expose the dangers of external religious performance devoid of genuine inner transformation.
Beyond these profound theological statements, ἔξωθεν also describes physical location. For instance, in [[Acts 16:13]], Paul and Silas go *outside* (ἔξωθεν) the city gate to a place of prayer. In [[Revelation 22:15]], it denotes those who are "outside" (ἔξωθεν) the New Jerusalem—those who are excluded from its blessings due to their unrighteousness.
Furthermore, in [[1 Peter 3:3-4]], the term is used in the context of adornment: "Do not let your adornment be merely outward (ἔξωθεν)—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart..." Here, ἔξωθεν again stands in direct contrast to the inner self, emphasizing that true beauty and spiritual worth are not found in external display but in the character of the heart.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct antonym and conceptually linked term to ἔξωθεν is ἔσωθεν (G2081, *esōthen*), meaning "from within" or "inwardly." The consistent pairing of these two words (e.g., [[Mark 7:15]], [[Matthew 23:27-28]], [[Luke 11:39-40]], [[1 Peter 3:3-4]]) is crucial for understanding the biblical emphasis on internal reality over external appearance.
Other related terms include:
* ἔξω (G1854, *exō*): The base word for "outside" or "without."
* ἔσω (G2080, *esō*): The base word for "inside" or "within."
* καρδία (G2588, *kardia*): "Heart," which in biblical anthropology represents the center of one's being, including thoughts, will, and emotions, often contrasted with outward behavior or appearance.
* πνεῦμα (G4151, *pneuma*): "Spirit," often denoting the inner, spiritual dimension of a person.
* σῶμα (G4983, *sōma*): "Body," which is the outward, physical manifestation of a person.
Concepts inherently linked to ἔξωθεν in its biblical usage include:
* **Purity:** The redefinition of purity from external ritual to internal moral state.
* **Hypocrisy:** The stark contrast between outward religious display and inner corruption.
* **True Righteousness:** Emphasis on the inner condition of the heart as the source of genuine righteousness, rather than external adherence to laws or customs.
* **Spiritual vs. Physical:** The distinction between what is merely physical or visible and what is spiritual or internal.
* **Community Boundaries:** Defining who is "in" or "out" of a particular group or the Kingdom of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἔξωθεν is profound, primarily because of its role in Jesus' radical reinterpretation of purity and righteousness. By asserting that defilement comes *from within* rather than *from without* (Mark 7), Jesus challenged the very foundation of the Jewish purity laws, which focused heavily on external observances, dietary restrictions, and ritual washings. This teaching shifts the locus of sin and moral responsibility from external influences to the human heart, making the inner person—the seat of thoughts, intentions, and desires—the true determinant of one's standing before God.
This emphasis on the internal over the external is a consistent theme in Jesus' ministry, particularly in his critiques of the Pharisees. Their outward show of piety (prayer, fasting, tithing) was often a mask for inner corruption, greed, and pride. The use of ἔξωθεν in passages like [[Matthew 23:27-28]] and [[Luke 11:39-40]] serves as a powerful indictment of hypocrisy, reminding believers that God looks at the heart (cf. [[1 Samuel 16:7]]), not merely the outward appearance.
Furthermore, the theological import extends to the nature of true spiritual adornment and worship. [[1 Peter 3:3-4]] uses ἔξωθεν to underscore that genuine beauty and spiritual worth are not found in outward physical embellishment but in the "hidden person of the heart," adorned with a "gentle and quiet spirit." This highlights that Christian living is not about external conformity but about an internal transformation that manifests in character.
Finally, ἔξωθεν also delineates the boundaries of God's people and His Kingdom. In [[1 Corinthians 5:12-13]], Paul distinguishes between those *outside* (ἔξωθεν) the church, whom God judges, and those *inside*, whom the church is to judge. Similarly, [[Revelation 22:15]] uses the term to describe those excluded from the New Jerusalem, emphasizing the ultimate spiritual separation between the righteous and the unrighteous. Thus, ἔξωθεν marks not just a physical or moral boundary, but a spiritual one with eternal consequences.
### Summary
The Greek word ἔξωθεν (G1855, *exōthen*), meaning "from the outside" or "outwardly," serves as a critical term in the New Testament for distinguishing between external appearance or action and internal reality. Its most significant theological function lies in Jesus' teachings, where it consistently contrasts with ἔσωθεν (G2081, *esōthen*), "from within," to redefine purity, expose hypocrisy, and emphasize the primacy of the heart in matters of righteousness before God. Whether describing physical location, the superficiality of religious observance, or the nature of true spiritual beauty, ἔξωθεν underscores the biblical truth that God is concerned not merely with outward conformity but with the genuine, transformed condition of the inner person. It highlights that true defilement originates from within, and true spiritual life is an inward reality that then manifests outwardly.
TRV