### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word σός (transliterated as *sós*) is a possessive adjective/pronoun of the second person singular, meaning "your" or "thine." It is directly derived from the personal pronoun σύ (you, `{{G4771}}`). Its primary function is to indicate possession, relationship, or attribution to the person being addressed. Like its English equivalents, σός can function adjectivally (e.g., "your house") or substantively (e.g., "yours"). While grammatically straightforward, its usage in specific biblical contexts often carries significant nuance, highlighting personal connection, ownership, or the source of something.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Though a common grammatical particle, σός appears in the New Testament in contexts that illuminate its deeper implications.
* **John 4:42**: "They said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of *your* words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'" [[John 4:42]] Here, σὴν λαλιὰν ("your words") refers to the Samaritan woman's testimony. The phrase marks a transition from belief based on her personal witness to a direct, experiential faith in Jesus, underscoring the initial, personal source of their conviction.
* **John 7:6**: Jesus says to His brothers, "My time has not yet come, but *your* time is always ready." [[John 7:6]] The contrast between "my time" (ὁ καιρὸς ὁ ἐμὸς, using `{{G1699}}`) and "your time" (ὁ καιρὸς ὁ σὸς) highlights the distinct nature of Jesus' divine timing and mission compared to the more ordinary, human timing of His brothers. It emphasizes the unique, divinely appointed schedule for the Son of God.
* **John 17:10**: In His high priestly prayer, Jesus declares to the Father, "All Mine are *Yours*, and *Yours* are Mine, and in them I am glorified." [[John 17:10]] This is perhaps the most profound theological use of σός. The reciprocal statement τὰ ἐμὰ πάντα σά ἐστιν, καὶ τὰ σὰ ἐμά ("all mine are yours, and yours are mine") powerfully expresses the perfect unity, co-ownership, and shared essence between the Father and the Son within the Godhead. It underscores their mutual possession of all things, including the disciples, and their shared glory.
* **Acts 24:3**: Tertullus, addressing Governor Felix, states, "since through *your* foresight (διὰ τῆς *σῆς* προνοίας) peace is enjoyed by us..." [[Acts 24:3]] This is an instance of flattery, where σός is used to attribute a positive quality (foresight, `{{G4406}}`) directly to the person addressed, acknowledging his authority and influence, albeit insincerely in this context.
* **Philemon 1:14**: Paul writes concerning Onesimus, "but without *your* consent (χωρὶς δὲ τῆς *σῆς* γνώμης) I preferred to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, but of your own free will." [[Philemon 1:14]] Here, σῆς γνώμης ("your consent/judgment") highlights Paul's respect for Philemon's autonomy and the importance of voluntary action in Christian charity and reconciliation. It emphasizes the personal choice and free will of the individual.
### Related Words & Concepts
σός exists within a semantic field of personal and possessive pronouns, crucial for understanding relationships and attribution in the New Testament.
* **σύ (su, `{{G4771}}`)**: The second-person singular personal pronoun "you," the root from which σός is derived. Understanding σός necessitates understanding its direct link to the person addressed.
* **ἐμός (emos, `{{G1699}}`)**: The first-person singular possessive pronoun "my" or "mine." Often found in direct contrast with σός, as seen in John 17:10 and John 7:6, to delineate "mine" from "yours."
* **ἡμέτερος (hemeteros, `{{G2251}}`)**: The first-person plural possessive pronoun "our" or "ours."
* **ὑμέτερος (humeteros, `{{G5212}}`)**: The second-person plural possessive pronoun "your" or "yours."
* **αὐτοῦ (autou, `{{G846}}`)**: The genitive form of αὐτός (autos), serving as the third-person singular possessive "his," "her," or "its."
* **Possession and Relationship**: Fundamentally, σός speaks to the concepts of ownership, belonging, and the nature of relationships, whether divine-human or human-human. It clarifies who is connected to what or whom.
### Theological Significance
While σός is a common grammatical element, its specific applications in the New Testament carry considerable theological weight.
* **Divine Unity and Co-Ownership**: The most profound theological implication of σός is found in Jesus' prayer in [[John 17:10]], where the reciprocal "all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine" unveils a profound truth about the Trinitarian relationship. It speaks to the perfect unity, shared divine essence, and co-equality of the Father and the Son. Everything belonging to the Father also belongs to the Son, and vice versa, underscoring their inseparable nature and shared divine purpose, particularly concerning the elect.
* **Human Agency and Volition**: In passages like [[Philemon 1:14]], σός highlights the importance of personal consent and free will in Christian conduct. Paul's respect for Philemon's "consent" emphasizes that genuine Christian service and generosity must stem from a willing heart, not from compulsion. This underscores the value of individual responsibility and ethical choice within the divine economy.
* **Source and Authority**: σός can also point to the specific source or authority of a message or action. In [[John 4:42]], the Samaritans' progression of faith moves beyond the woman's "your words" to direct encounter with Christ, illustrating the transition from secondary testimony to primary experience of truth. In [[Acts 24:3]], Tertullus uses "your foresight" to acknowledge Felix's perceived authority, even if in a manipulative way.
### Summary
The Greek word σός (`{{G4674}}`), meaning "your" or "thine," is a direct possessive form of the second-person singular pronoun σύ (`{{G4771}}`). While grammatically simple, its usage in the New Testament is rich with contextual meaning. It consistently points to a direct relationship, possession, or attribution to the person addressed. Most notably, in [[John 17:10]], σός illuminates the profound unity and co-ownership between God the Father and God the Son, revealing a core Trinitarian truth. In other contexts, it underscores the significance of human agency and free will in Christian ethics ([[Philemon 1:14]]) or identifies the personal source of testimony and authority ([[John 4:42]], [[Acts 24:3]]). Thus, σός, though a small word, plays a vital role in articulating key theological concepts of divine relationship, human responsibility, and the nature of truth and authority in the biblical narrative.
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