### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **hēlíkos**, represented by `{{G2245}}`, is an interjective term used to express "how much" or "how great." It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Derived from a word meaning a comrade or one of the same age, its scriptural use is to rhetorically emphasize the immense size, scale, or significance of a matter.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical applications, `{{G2245}}` serves to magnify the subject being discussed. In Colossians, Paul uses it to describe the depth of his spiritual struggle, wanting the church to know "what **great** conflict" he has for them [[Colossians 2:1]]. In James, the word is used in a powerful analogy to illustrate a moral principle, asking the reader to "Behold, how **great** a matter a little fire kindleth!" [[James 3:5]]. In both cases, the word highlights a scale that might otherwise be underestimated.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the meaning of `{{G2245}}`:
* `{{G73}}` **agṓn** (conflict, contention, fight, race): This is the specific "conflict" Paul describes as being so **great** [[Colossians 2:1]], defining his struggle as a deep, anxious effort on behalf of the believers.
* `{{G3398}}` **mikrós** (small): This word is used in direct contrast to the idea of `{{G2245}}` in James, where a "**little** member," the tongue, is shown to cause "how **great** a matter" of destruction [[James 3:5]].
* `{{G3166}}` **megalauchéō** (boast great things): Appearing in the same verse as `{{G2245}}` in James, this word describes the tongue's capacity to "talk big," connecting the idea of smallness with the pretense of greatness and the potential for great damage [[James 3:5]].
* `{{G1100}}` **glōssa** (tongue): This is the primary subject of the warning in [[James 3:5]], where the **tongue** is identified as the small source capable of causing a "how **great**" fire.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G2245}}` is demonstrated through its use in highlighting key spiritual principles.
* **The Scale of Spiritual Labor:** Paul's use of the term reveals that spiritual care and intercession are not small matters but a **great conflict** `{{G73}}`. It underscores the intensity and significance of the unseen spiritual efforts made by leaders for the church [[Colossians 2:1]].
* **The Principle of Disproportionate Consequence:** James uses `{{G2245}}` to establish a critical moral and spiritual principle: that a seemingly small and insignificant source, like the **tongue** `{{G1100}}`, can produce devastating and widespread results. This serves as a sober warning about the power of words [[James 3:5]].
### Summary
In summary, though used infrequently, `{{G2245}}` is a significant term for emphasis. It functions as a rhetorical flag, forcing the reader to consider the true and often hidden magnitude of a situation. Whether describing the intensity of a spiritual **conflict** or the vast destructive power of a **little** member, **hēlíkos** serves to amplify meaning and convey a scale that is truly great.
TRV