from οὐ and ἔτι; not yet, no longer:--after that (not), (not) any more, henceforth (hereafter) not, no longer (more), not as yet (now), now no more (not), yet (not).
Transliteration:oukéti
Pronunciation:ook et'-ee
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word `{{G3765}}` (οὐκέτι - *oukéti*) is a compound adverb derived from `{{G3756}}` (οὐ - *ou*, "no, not") and `{{G2089}}` (ἔτι - *eti*, "yet, still, in addition"). Its fundamental meaning is "no longer," "not yet," or "not still." It signifies a cessation or termination of a previous state, action, or condition.
The semantic range of oukéti primarily focuses on:
* **Cessation:** Indicating that something that was true or ongoing has now ceased to be so. This is the most prevalent usage, highlighting a definitive break with a former reality. For example, "no longer a slave," "no longer sick."
* **Future Negation:** Implying that a particular state or action will not continue or recur in the future.
* **Temporal Negation:** Less frequently, it can denote "not yet," signifying that an anticipated state or event has not commenced, though this nuance is often better expressed by other Greek terms. The dominant sense remains the termination of a prior condition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{G3765}}` appears frequently in the New Testament, often marking significant shifts in status, identity, or circumstance. Its usage underscores a decisive break with the past.
Examples of its employment include:
* **Transformation of Identity and Status:**
* In [[Galatians 2:20]], Paul declares, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Here, oukéti signifies a radical, ontological shift in the believer's life, where the old self has definitively passed away.
* Similarly, [[Romans 6:6]] states, "so that we should no longer be slaves to sin." This highlights the believer's liberation from sin's dominion, a decisive break from a former master.
* [[Ephesians 2:19]] emphasizes inclusion: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household." The word here marks the end of spiritual alienation and the beginning of full membership in God's family.
* Jesus tells His disciples in [[John 15:15]], "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends." This signifies an elevation of their relationship with Him.
* **Cessation of Physical or Temporal Conditions:**
* [[Mark 1:45]] describes a situation where Jesus "could no longer openly enter a town," indicating a practical limitation.
* [[John 11:54]] notes that Jesus "no longer moved about publicly among the people in Judea," signifying a strategic withdrawal.
* **Eschatological Cessation:**
* Perhaps most poignantly, [[Revelation 21:4]] declares concerning the new heavens and new earth, "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." The repeated "no more" (οὐκ ἔτι, a functionally equivalent phrase to oukéti) here promises the ultimate and permanent cessation of all suffering and the effects of the Fall.
In each instance, oukéti points to a definitive end to a previous state, often with profound implications for the believer's life or the ultimate destiny of creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Antonyms:** The most direct antonym for `{{G3765}}` is `{{G2089}}` (ἔτι - *eti*), which means "still," "yet," or "continually," indicating persistence or continuation.
* **Synonyms/Related Negations:**
* `{{G3756}}` (οὐ - *ou*): The simple negative "not." oukéti adds the temporal dimension of "no longer" to this basic negation.
* `{{G3361}}` (μηκέτι - *mēkéti*): This word also means "no longer" but is typically used in subjective negations, prohibitions, or expressions of doubt/contingency (e.g., "do not *any longer*"). In contrast, oukéti states an objective fact—something *is* no longer the case. While often interchangeable in English translation, the Greek carries this subtle distinction. oukéti declares a fact; mēkéti often expresses a command or a potential state.
* **Theological Concepts:** oukéti is intimately connected with concepts such as:
* **New Creation:** The idea that the old has passed away and the new has come in Christ ([[2 Corinthians 5:17]]).
* **Redemption and Liberation:** Freedom from the bondage of sin and the law.
* **Transformation:** The radical change from one state of being to another, often from death to life or from darkness to light.
* **Eschatological Fulfillment:** The ultimate realization of God's promises where suffering and evil are definitively vanquished.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G3765}}` is considerable, as it consistently marks pivotal moments of divine intervention and spiritual reality in the New Testament:
* **The Decisive Break of the New Covenant:** oukéti powerfully articulates the radical nature of the new covenant in Christ. It signifies that the old order, with its limitations and curses, has been definitively superseded. Believers are "no longer" under law but under grace, "no longer" slaves to sin, but servants of righteousness. This highlights the complete and effective work of Christ.
* **Identity in Christ:** The word underscores the profound transformation of identity that occurs in salvation. To be "in Christ" means the former self, with its allegiances and limitations, is "no longer" dominant. This is a call to live out a new reality, reflecting Christ's life within.
* **Inclusion and Unity in the Church:** By declaring that barriers such as Jew/Gentile, slave/free, or male/female "no longer" define spiritual standing or access to God's family, oukéti emphasizes the unifying and egalitarian nature of the gospel. It speaks to the breaking down of human-made divisions within the body of Christ.
* **Eschatological Hope and Consummation:** In Revelation, the repeated "no more" (οὐκ ἔτι) serves as a glorious promise of the future. It assures believers that the present suffering, death, and pain are temporal and will ultimately cease. This provides immense comfort and reinforces the certainty of God's ultimate victory over all evil and the full restoration of creation.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** When Scripture uses oukéti, it often points to God's authoritative will bringing about a definitive end to a state or condition. It is a declaration of divine purpose being fulfilled, marking an irreversible change wrought by God.
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G3765}}` (οὐκέτι - *oukéti*), meaning "no longer" or "not yet," is a crucial term in the New Testament for understanding the profound and definitive changes wrought by God's redemptive work. Derived from `{{G3756}}` (οὐ) and `{{G2089}}` (ἔτι), it primarily signifies the cessation of a previous state, often with irreversible implications. Theologically, oukéti underscores the radical transformation experienced by believers who are "no longer" living for themselves but for Christ ([[Galatians 2:20]]), are "no longer" slaves to sin ([[Romans 6:6]]), and are included as full members of God's household, "no longer" strangers ([[Ephesians 2:19]]). Furthermore, it paints a vivid picture of eschatological hope, promising a future where death, mourning, crying, and pain will be "no more" ([[Revelation 21:4]]). Thus, oukéti is a powerful linguistic marker of the new creation, liberation, and ultimate triumph inherent in the gospel message.
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