### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun πέλαγος (pélagos, `{{G3989}}`) denotes the "deep sea" or "open sea," distinguishing itself from a mere body of water or coastal area. Its core meaning emphasizes vastness, depth, and the absence of land, referring to the main expanse of the ocean. While related to θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`), which is a more general term for "sea" or even "lake," πέλαγος specifically conveys the idea of the profound, often boundless, depths beyond the shore. It evokes a sense of the immense, the unnavigable without aid, and potentially the perilous.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πέλαγος (pélagos, `{{G3989}}`) appears twice in the New Testament, each instance providing a distinct yet complementary insight into its semantic range:
1. **Matthew 18:6**: "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Here, πέλαγος is used in the phrase "depth of the sea" (τῷ πελάγει τῆς θαλάσσης). The context is Jesus' severe warning against causing spiritual harm to vulnerable believers. The "depth" emphasized by πέλαγος signifies an ultimate, irreversible, and complete judgment. It is not merely drowning in shallow water, but being lost beyond recovery in the profound abyss, underscoring the absolute nature of the consequence.
2. **Acts 27:5**: "When we had sailed across the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia." In this navigational context, πέλαγος refers to the "open sea" or "main sea" (τὸ πέλαγος τὸ κατὰ τὴν Κιλικίαν καὶ Παμφυλίαν). It describes the vast expanse of water traversed by Paul and his companions during their voyage to Rome. Here, the term highlights the extensive and challenging nature of sea travel in the ancient world, emphasizing the sheer breadth of the waters navigated, rather than their depth.
These two occurrences demonstrate πέλαγος's capacity to convey both the profoundness of depth and the immensity of expanse, depending on the immediate context.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek terms share conceptual space with πέλαγος (pélagos, `{{G3989}}`), enriching our understanding:
* **θάλασσα (thalassa, `{{G2281}}`)**: As noted, this is the general term for "sea" or "lake." While πέλαγος refers to the deep or open sea, θάλασσα can encompass any body of water, including the Sea of Galilee. πέλαγος is a specific kind of θάλασσα.
* **βυθός (bythos, `{{G1037}}`)**: Meaning "depth" or "bottom," this word is often used in conjunction with the sea to denote its profoundest parts (e.g., "the deep" in 2 Corinthians 11:25, referring to shipwreck). It shares the concept of depth with πέλαγος, though βυθός more explicitly points to the very bottom.
* **ἄβυσσος (abyssos, `{{G12}}`)**: "Abyss" or "bottomless pit." This term carries strong theological connotations, often referring to the dwelling place of demons or the realm of the dead (e.g., Revelation 9:1-2). While not directly synonymous with the physical sea, it evokes a similar sense of profound, immeasurable depth and often a place of confinement or judgment, echoing the punitive sense of πέλαγος in Matthew 18:6.
* **Concepts**: Vastness, danger, journey, ultimate consequence, the unknown, divine judgment, and God's sovereignty over creation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πέλαγος (pélagos, `{{G3989}}`) is primarily derived from its two distinct New Testament contexts:
1. **The Depth of Divine Judgment**: In [[Matthew 18:6]], the "depth of the sea" serves as a powerful metaphor for the severity and finality of divine judgment against those who lead others, especially "little ones," astray. This imagery underscores that the consequence for such spiritual transgression is profound and irreversible, a complete removal from life and hope. It reflects a biblical understanding of the sea as a place of chaos and judgment, where the wicked are swallowed up (e.g., Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea). The use of πέλαγος accentuates the absolute nature of this punitive drowning, emphasizing that there is no return from such a fate.
2. **The Expanse of God's Providence and Mission**: In [[Acts 27:5]], πέλαγος describes the "open sea" traversed by Paul. Here, the term highlights the vastness of the world and the challenges inherent in the missionary journey. The open sea represents not only a physical barrier and a place of potential peril but also a pathway for the spread of the Gospel. God's providence is demonstrated in guiding His servants through these immense and often dangerous waters, ensuring the furtherance of His redemptive plan despite the formidable natural elements. This usage implicitly speaks to the global scope of the Christian mission and God's sovereign control over all creation.
In both instances, πέλαγος points to realms beyond human control, whether in the context of ultimate judgment or the vastness of the world's oceans, thereby subtly affirming God's supreme authority and power.
### Summary
The Greek word πέλαγος (pélagos, `{{G3989}}`) precisely denotes the "deep" or "open sea," emphasizing its vastness and profound depth. Its two New Testament occurrences offer distinct yet complementary theological insights. In [[Matthew 18:6]], it underscores the absolute and irreversible nature of divine judgment for those who cause spiritual harm, depicting a consequence from which there is no return. In [[Acts 27:5]], it describes the expansive and often challenging waters traversed during missionary journeys, highlighting God's providential guidance through the world's vastness in the service of His global mission. Thus, πέλαγος serves as a powerful descriptor for both the ultimate end of judgment and the extensive scope of God's work in the world.
TRV