### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb οὐδέπω (oudépō, `{{G3764}}`) is a compound word derived from οὐδέ (oudé, `{{G3761}}`), meaning "not even," "neither," or "nor," and the enclitic particle -πω (pō), signifying "yet" or "up to this time." Consequently, its core meaning is "not even yet," "never yet," or "not yet at all." It functions as an emphatic negation, indicating that a particular state, event, or action has not transpired up to the current point in time, often with an implication of future potential or a specific reason for its non-occurrence. Unlike a simple "not yet" (e.g., οὔπω `{{G3768}}`), οὐδέπω carries a stronger sense of absolute non-occurrence *thus far*, emphasizing the absence of something that might have been expected or is anticipated.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
οὐδέπω appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, but each instance carries significant contextual weight:
* **[[John 7:39]]**: "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him were about to receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet [οὐδέπω] given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
* Here, οὐδέπω underscores the precise divine timing for the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's anointing and indwelling were not entirely absent before Pentecost, but the comprehensive, empowering presence of the Spirit, as experienced by the early church, was uniquely contingent upon Christ's glorification—His death, resurrection, and ascension. This "not yet" points to a pivotal eschatological event.
* **[[John 19:41]]**: "Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet [οὐδέπω] been laid."
* This detail, shared with [[Luke 23:53]] (though Luke uses οὔπω), highlights the pristine and unused nature of the tomb. The emphatic "not even yet" emphasizes its absolute newness, underscoring its suitability for the burial of the sinless Son of God and perhaps hinting at the unique and unprecedented event of His resurrection that would soon follow. It signifies a space untouched by human mortality until Christ's sacred body was placed within it.
* **[[Acts 8:16]]**: "For as yet [οὐδέπω] He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
* In the context of the Samaritan believers, οὐδέπω indicates that while they had believed Philip's message and been baptized, the overt, empowering manifestation of the Holy Spirit (as seen at Pentecost) had "not yet" occurred among them. This sets the stage for the arrival of Peter and John, through whose laying on of hands the Spirit was then visibly received, signifying a further stage in their spiritual experience and the unification of the Samaritan church with the broader body of Christ.
In each instance, οὐδέπω functions to mark a specific point of non-fulfillment or non-occurrence, often preceding a significant event or revealing a crucial aspect of God's redemptive plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **οὐδέ (oudé, `{{G3761}}`):** The root conjunction meaning "not even," "neither," or "nor." It provides the emphatic negative component to οὐδέπω, distinguishing it from simpler negations.
* **οὔπω (oúpō, `{{G3768}}`):** A closely related adverb meaning "not yet." While similar, οὐδέπω carries a stronger emphasis ("not *even* yet") due to the inclusion of δέ, suggesting a more complete or absolute absence *up to that point*.
* **οὐ (ou, `{{G3756}}`):** The fundamental negative particle, simply "not," used for factual negation.
* **μή (mē, `{{G3361}}`):** Another negative particle, typically used with conditional or volitional clauses, expressing a prohibitive or hypothetical "not."
* **Temporal Adverbs:** Words like ἤδη (ēdē, `{{G2235}}`, "already"), νῦν (nyn, `{{G3568}}`, "now"), and ἔτι (eti, `{{G2089}}`, "still," "yet") provide a temporal contrast to the "not yet" aspect of οὐδέπω, highlighting the unfolding of time and events within God's plan.
* **Eschatological Terms:** Concepts related to divine timing, fulfillment, and delay are often expressed through such temporal adverbs, emphasizing the "already and not yet" tension in New Testament theology.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of οὐδέπω is profound, primarily revolving around the themes of divine timing, the unfolding of salvation history, and the "already and not yet" dynamic of the Kingdom of God.
* **Divine Chronology and Fulfillment:** The use of οὐδέπω in [[John 7:39]] powerfully illustrates that God's actions and promises unfold according to a precise divine timetable. The full outpouring of the Spirit was not arbitrary but was meticulously tied to the glorification of Jesus. This emphasizes God's sovereign control over history and the progressive nature of His redemptive plan, where each stage is perfectly timed.
* **The "Already and Not Yet" Tension:** οὐδέπω is a linguistic marker of one of the most crucial theological tensions in the New Testament: the "already and not yet." While Christ's saving work has been accomplished ("already"), the full realization of its implications—the complete manifestation of the Kingdom, the glorification of believers, and the renewal of creation—is "not yet" complete. This adverb specifically highlights the "not yet" aspect, fostering a posture of hopeful anticipation and patient endurance for future eschatological realities.
* **Anticipation of God's Action:** By stating what has "not yet" occurred, οὐδέπω often creates an expectation for a future divine intervention or fulfillment. In the context of the Holy Spirit (John 7:39, Acts 8:16), it builds anticipation for the Spirit's transformative work, which is central to the life and mission of the church.
* **Purity and Sacred Purpose:** In [[John 19:41]], the description of the tomb as one where no one had "not even yet" been laid underscores its untouched purity. This detail subtly contributes to the theological understanding of Christ's burial as a unique, sacred event, separate from common human experience, befitting the sinless Son of God.
* **Stages of Spiritual Experience:** The "not yet" in [[Acts 8:16]] illustrates that spiritual experience and the reception of God's blessings can occur in stages. While the Samaritans had believed and been baptized, a further, distinct impartation of the Spirit was still awaiting. This highlights the various facets of God's work in believers and the importance of apostolic ministry in the early church.
### Summary
οὐδέπω (oudépō, `{{G3764}}`) is an emphatic Greek adverb meaning "not even yet" or "never yet." It is formed from οὐδέ (not even, `{{G3761}}`) and -πω (yet), providing a strong negation of an event or condition up to the present moment. Its occurrences in [[John 7:39]], [[John 19:41]], and [[Acts 8:16]] consistently mark a state of non-occurrence that often precedes a significant divine action or reveals a crucial detail about God's plan. Theologically, οὐδέπω profoundly illuminates the precision of divine timing, the "not yet" aspect of God's unfolding Kingdom, and the progressive nature of salvation history. It fosters anticipation for future divine fulfillments and underscores the intentionality and sacredness of God's work in Christ and through the Holy Spirit. Its emphatic nature distinguishes it from the less forceful οὔπω (oúpō, `{{G3768}}`), highlighting a complete absence *thus far*.
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