from ῥήγνυμι; something torn, i.e. a fragment (by implication and abstractly, a fall):--ruin.
Transliteration:rhēgma
Pronunciation:hrayg'-mah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ῥῆγμα (rhēgma, `{{G4485}}`) is derived from the verb ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnumi, `{{G4486}}`), which means "to break, tear, burst, or shatter." Consequently, ῥῆγμα fundamentally denotes "something torn" or "a fragment." This primary sense implies a state of being broken apart, rent asunder, or fractured. By extension, and often with an abstract or implied meaning, it refers to the *result* of such a tearing or breaking: a "fall" or, more forcefully, "ruin." The word conveys not merely damage, but a catastrophic and often irreparable collapse, indicating utter destruction or complete dissolution. It signifies a state of being broken beyond repair, leading to total devastation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ῥῆγμα (rhēgma, `{{G4485}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 6:49]]**: "But the one who hears and does not do is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the river burst, and immediately it collapsed, and the *ruin* (ῥῆγμα) of that house was great."
In this sole occurrence, ῥῆγμα powerfully concludes Jesus' parable of the two builders, immediately following the Sermon on the Plain. The context contrasts two responses to Jesus' teaching: hearing and obeying versus hearing and neglecting. The house built without a foundation, representing a life not grounded in active obedience to Christ's words, is depicted as utterly destroyed by the force of a flood. The "great ruin" (τὸ ῥῆγμα τοῦ οἴκου ἐκείνου μέγα) emphasizes the absolute and devastating nature of the collapse. It is not merely a partial failure or damage, but a complete and total destruction, signifying the ultimate consequence of spiritual negligence and disobedience. The imagery evokes a final, irreversible catastrophe.
### Related Words & Concepts
As noted, ῥῆγμα (rhēgma, `{{G4485}}`) is directly related to its verbal root, ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnumi, `{{G4486}}`), which describes the action of breaking or tearing. This connection highlights that the "ruin" is the direct *result* of something being broken or burst apart.
Conceptually, ῥῆγμα aligns with other Greek terms denoting destruction or collapse:
* **πτῶμα (ptōma, `{{G4431}}`)**: A fall, a corpse, a ruin. While it can also refer to a "fall" or "ruin," ῥῆγμα often carries a stronger connotation of violent, complete disintegration, stemming from an internal structural failure or external force that "bursts" it apart.
* **ἀπώλεια (apōleia, `{{G684}}`)**: Destruction, ruin, perdition. This term is broader and often refers to spiritual ruin or eternal damnation, but shares the semantic field of ultimate destruction.
* **κατάλυμα (katalyma, `{{G2646}}`)**: A breaking down, dissolution, destruction. While its primary New Testament uses relate to lodging, its root also implies a breaking down.
Conversely, words representing stability and foundation stand in stark contrast:
* **θεμέλιος (themelios, `{{G2310}}`)**: A foundation, base. This is the very thing lacking in the house that experiences ῥῆγμα.
* **οἰκοδομή (oikodomē, `{{G3619}}`)**: A building, edification. This term represents the constructive process that leads to stability, the opposite of ruin.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ῥῆγμα (rhēgma, `{{G4485}}`) in [[Luke 6:49]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark warning and a powerful metaphor for the spiritual consequences of one's choices regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ.
1. **Consequence of Disobedience**: The "great ruin" is the inevitable outcome for those who hear Jesus' words but fail to act upon them. It underscores the biblical principle that true faith is demonstrated through obedience, and that mere intellectual assent without practical application leads to spiritual catastrophe.
2. **Importance of Foundation**: The parable implicitly highlights the absolute necessity of building one's spiritual life on the firm foundation of Christ and His teachings. This foundation provides stability and resilience against the "storms" and "floods" of life, representing trials, temptations, or even divine judgment.
3. **Severity of Judgment**: The word ῥῆγμα conveys the utter and complete nature of the judgment that awaits those who neglect the Lord's commands. It is not a partial collapse but a total and devastating destruction, signifying a spiritual state beyond repair.
4. **Urgency of Decision**: The vivid imagery of total ruin imparts an urgent call to discipleship, emphasizing that one's eternal destiny hinges on the foundation upon which one builds their life. The consequences are dire and final.
### Summary
The Greek word ῥῆγμα (rhēgma, `{{G4485}}`), derived from the verb meaning "to tear or break," signifies "something torn" or "a fragment," and by extension, a complete and catastrophic "ruin" or "collapse." Its singular, yet highly impactful, occurrence in [[Luke 6:49]] vividly portrays the dire consequences of spiritual disobedience. In the parable of the two builders, the "great ruin" of the house built without a foundation serves as a potent warning: a life not grounded in active obedience to Christ's teachings will ultimately face total and irreversible destruction when confronted with the storms of life or divine judgment. This word underscores the critical importance of building one's spiritual existence on the solid foundation of Christ's words, lest one experience a devastating and final collapse.
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