The Greek word hēmâs, represented by G2248, is the accusative plural form of "we," meaning us. It appears 178 times in 164 verses, consistently positioning believers as the recipients of divine action. The word is fundamental to understanding the nature of salvation, identifying those who are acted upon by God's grace, love, and redemptive power.
The employment of G2248 consistently highlights a profound sense of corporate identity and shared experience within the New Testament. Rather than merely denoting a grammatical object, "us" articulates the communal bond of those who stand together in a common relationship with God and Christ. This collective "us" often distinguishes the community of faith from "them" (the world, unbelievers, or adversaries), fostering an understanding of mutual belonging and a unified destiny. The very form of hēmâs as an accusative plural emphasizes that the divine actions are not isolated events but are directed towards a collective body, underscoring the communal aspect of salvation and discipleship.
This collective identity is not static but dynamic, encompassing both the immediate recipients of apostolic teaching and the broader church throughout history. The consistent use of G2248 reinforces the idea that what is true for one member of this "us" is true for all, establishing a theological solidarity. This shared status implies a common origin in God's will, a common experience of redemption, and a common future hope, solidifying the understanding of the church as a unified entity in Christ.
In Scripture, G2248 is used to define the community of believers in relation to God's work. God has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His Son Colossians 1:13. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law Galatians 3:13 and washed us from our sins in his own blood Revelation 1:5. Furthermore, God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame Ephesians 1:4. This consistent usage highlights that the subjects identified by hēmâs are the direct objects of God's saving purpose.
While G2248 frequently portrays believers as objects of God's saving grace, its usage also extends to articulate the shared human experience and vulnerabilities of the apostolic community and broader discipleship. Paul, for instance, uses hēmâs to describe the apostles' suffering and role as examples, stating, "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men" 1 Corinthians 4:9, and later, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God" 1 Corinthians 4:1. This demonstrates that hēmâs can define a specific group within the larger body of believers, highlighting their particular calling, trials, and responsibilities.
Hēmâs can appear in contexts of human interaction and petition, moving beyond solely divine action. Disciples ask Jesus to "teach us to pray" Luke 11:1, and the blind men cry out, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David" Matthew 20:30. Even in non-believing or antagonistic contexts, the term functions to identify a group experiencing or opposing a particular action, as when the demons plead, "art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" Matthew 8:29. These instances reveal the versatile grammatical function of G2248 in articulating a collective "us" across a spectrum of human and spiritual interactions, not exclusively in the context of salvation.
Several key verbs in the text further clarify the actions directed toward us:
- G25 agapáō (to love): This verb emphasizes the foundational motivation for God's actions. It is used in contexts such as being "more than conquerors through him that loved us" Romans 8:37 and Christ who "loved us, and washed us from our sins" Revelation 1:5.
- G4506 rhýomai (to deliver): This word describes the rescue of believers from peril. God has "delivered us from the power of darkness" Colossians 1:13 and we pray for Him to "deliver us from evil" Matthew 6:13.
- G4982 sṓzō (to save): This term is central to the gospel, defining the ultimate act of God toward believers. It appears in declarations that God has "saved us, and called us with an holy calling" 2 Timothy 1:9 and that there is no other name "whereby we must be saved" Acts 4:12.
- G2227 zōopoiéō (to make alive): This verb describes the act of quickening or imparting life, emphasizing God's power to spiritually revive those who were dead in sins, a profound action directed toward G2248.
- G2233 hēgéomai (to lead/consider): This verb relates to how individuals or groups are led, or how they account for or consider others, such as how the Corinthians were to "account of us, as of the ministers of Christ" 1 Corinthians 4:1.
The theological significance of G2248 is profound, defining the position of believers in God's plan.
- Recipients of God's Sovereign Choice: G2248 identifies those God chose in Christ "before the foundation of the world" Ephesians 1:4. This group was "predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself" Ephesians 1:5, not based on works but on His purpose and grace 2 Timothy 1:9.
- The Object of Redemption: The word consistently points to those for whom Christ's sacrifice was made. Christ redeemed us from the law's curse Galatians 3:13, gave himself for us to redeem us from iniquity Titus 2:14, and reconciled us to God 2 Corinthians 5:18.
- A Called and Commissioned People: Those identified as us are not passive recipients but are given a new identity and purpose. God has made us "able ministers of the new testament" 2 Corinthians 3:6, "kings and priests unto God" Revelation 1:6, and "meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" Colossians 1:12.
- A People in Shared Suffering and Consolation: G2248 frequently identifies believers not only as recipients of divine blessings but also as those who endure common tribulations and receive God's comfort. Paul highlights this shared experience, noting that God "comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" 2 Corinthians 1:4. This collective "us" points to a solidarity in suffering and the subsequent experience of divine solace, reinforcing the communal aspect of the Christian journey.
- The Object of Ongoing Sanctification: Beyond initial salvation, G2248 also underscores the continuous work of God within believers to transform and purify them. God "hath called us unto holiness" 1 Thessalonians 4:7, and "cleanseth us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9. This usage emphasizes that the "us" is not merely saved once but is actively being shaped and perfected by God's grace, moving them toward a state of Christlikeness and ethical living in the present world Titus 2:12.
The Greek word G2248, hēmâs, functions as the accusative plural of "we," signifying "us" in the New Testament. Its consistent usage, appearing in 164 unique verses, primarily defines the collective body of believers as the direct objects of God's sovereign and redemptive actions. From being chosen before the world's foundation to being delivered from darkness, redeemed from the law's curse, and washed from sins, hēmâs underscores the divine initiative in salvation and the profound love God has bestowed upon His people. This term is central to understanding the nature of grace, identifying those who are acted upon by God's love, power, and calling.
Beyond the initial acts of salvation, G2248 also highlights the ongoing relationship between God and His community. It identifies the "us" as recipients of comfort in tribulation 2 Corinthians 1:4, subjects of sanctification toward holiness 1 Thessalonians 4:7, and those continually being made alive by divine power Ephesians 2:5. Furthermore, hēmâs extends to encompass the shared human experiences and responsibilities of discipleship, from the apostles' sufferings and ministerial calling 1 Corinthians 4:9 to the collective petitions of believers seeking divine help and guidance Luke 11:1. This demonstrates its versatility in articulating the collective identity across a spectrum of spiritual and practical contexts.
Ultimately, G2248 is a term of profound theological and communal identity. It encapsulates the corporate nature of the church, defining believers as a unified body destined for God's glory. Whether depicting them as passive recipients of divine grace or active participants in God's ongoing work, hēmâs consistently points to a people loved, chosen, delivered, saved, and commissioned. It shifts the perspective from individual striving to the overarching purpose and grace of God, reminding all who belong to this "us" of their shared position in Christ and their collective journey toward His eternal kingdom.
TRV