### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G4749 (στολή, stolḗ) is derived from the verb στέλλω (stellō), which means "to arrange," "to equip," or "to send." This etymological root suggests something that is put in order or prepared. The primary meaning of στολή is "equipment" or "outfit." However, its specialized and most common usage refers to a "stole" or a "long, flowing garment" or "robe." This is not merely any piece of clothing, but typically one that signifies dignity, status, or a particular office. It implies a formal, often ceremonial, attire. The "long" aspect of the garment is often emphasized, distinguishing it from everyday wear and underscoring its association with formality or distinction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G4749 appears six times in the New Testament, offering diverse contextual insights into its meaning:
* **[[Mark 12:38]] / [[Luke 20:46]]**: In parallel accounts, Jesus warns against the scribes who "love to walk around in long robes" (ἐν στολαῖς). Here, the στολή is presented negatively, symbolizing outward show, hypocrisy, and a desire for public recognition and elevated status rather than genuine humility and service. The long robes were a mark of their perceived authority and piety, which they exploited for personal gain and social standing.
* **[[Luke 15:22]]**: In the parable of the prodigal son, the father commands his servants to "bring the best robe" (τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην) for his returning son. This act is profoundly symbolic of restoration, honor, and full reinstatement into the family. It signifies not merely new clothing, but a garment of dignity, signifying the son's renewed status and acceptance, despite his previous transgressions.
* **[[Revelation 6:11]]**: Each of the martyrs under the altar is given "a white robe" (στολὴ λευκή). This signifies their vindication, purity, and righteousness in God's sight, as they await the fulfillment of God's justice and the full number of their fellow servants.
* **[[Revelation 7:9]]**: A great multitude, from every nation, stands before the throne and the Lamb, "clothed in white robes" (περιβεβλημένους στολὰς λευκάς).
* **[[Revelation 7:13-14]]**: An elder asks John who these people are, and then reveals they are "those who have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." This passage explicitly links the white στολή to salvation, purification, and identification with Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is a garment of victory, redemption, and holiness.
* **[[Revelation 22:14]]**: (Note: Textual variants exist; some manuscripts read "wash their robes," while others read "do His commandments.") If the "wash their robes" reading is accepted, it reinforces the theme of purification and readiness for entering the New Jerusalem and having access to the tree of life, again highlighting the στολή as a symbol of spiritual purity and preparedness.
Across these occurrences, στολή consistently refers to a garment that conveys significance beyond mere covering, often denoting status, honor, or spiritual condition.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **General Clothing Terms:** G2440 (ἱμάτιον, himation - outer garment), G5509 (χιτών, chitōn - tunic/undergarment), and G2066 (ἐσθής, esthēs - clothing in general). While στολή is a type of clothing, it is more specific, often implying a formal, dignified, or ceremonial garment, unlike these more general terms.
* **Dignity and Honor:** G5092 (τιμή, timē) is a concept frequently associated with the στολή, as the robe itself can be a visible sign of honor or esteemed position.
* **Righteousness and Purity:** G1343 (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē) and G2513 (καθαρός, katharos) are intimately connected to the "white robes" in Revelation, which symbolize the believers' imputed righteousness and spiritual purity through Christ's sacrifice.
* **Hypocrisy and Outward Show:** G5272 (ὑπόκρισις, hypokrisis) stands in stark contrast to the scribes' use of στολή, where the external appearance belied an internal spiritual emptiness.
* **Wedding Garment:** Though not directly στολή, the concept of appropriate attire for significant events, such as the wedding feast in [[Matthew 22:11-12]], shares a thematic link with στολή in that certain garments symbolize readiness, worthiness, or a specific status.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G4749 (στολή) is rich and multifaceted:
1. **Symbol of Status and Authority (Misused and Legitimate):** The στολή inherently denotes a position of honor or authority. Jesus' critique of the scribes underscores the danger of using external symbols of piety or status for self-aggrandizement rather than humble service. This serves as a warning against outward religiosity devoid of inner transformation and genuine righteousness. Conversely, the "best robe" for the prodigal son symbolizes a legitimate restoration to honor and familial status by the father's grace.
2. **Symbol of Restoration and Grace:** The father's command to clothe the prodigal son in the "best robe" is a powerful metaphor for God's boundless grace, forgiveness, and the complete restoration offered to those who repent and return to Him. It signifies not just forgiveness, but a full reinstatement into the blessings and dignity of sonship.
3. **Symbol of Righteousness, Purity, and Salvation:** Most profoundly, in the Book of Revelation, the "white στολή" becomes a central symbol of the redeemed's spiritual state. It represents the purity, righteousness, and holiness imputed to believers through the atoning blood of Christ. The act of "washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14) is a vivid metaphor for repentance, faith, and sanctification, signifying that their holiness is derived solely from Christ's sacrifice. This στολή is a garment of salvation, vindication, and ultimate victory over sin and death.
4. **Eschatological Hope and Identity:** The white robes of the martyrs and the great multitude point to the future glorification of the saints and their blessed state in the presence of God. They signify the identity of those who belong to Christ, having endured tribulation and been purified, now ready to inherit eternal life and worship before the throne.
### Summary
The Greek word G4749 (στολή, stolḗ) refers to a "long robe" or "garment of dignity," stemming from the idea of something "arranged" or "equipped." While it can denote a garment of status, its New Testament usage carries profound theological weight. In a negative context, it highlights the hypocrisy of those who use external symbols of piety for self-exaltation, as seen in Jesus' warning against the scribes. More significantly, στολή serves as a powerful symbol of grace, restoration, and honor, exemplified by the father's gift to the prodigal son. Most notably, in the Book of Revelation, the "white στολή" becomes an iconic representation of the redeemed's purity, righteousness, and salvation, achieved through the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb. It signifies their vindication, their identification with Christ, and their ultimate readiness for eternal fellowship with God, embodying themes of divine grace, redemption, and eschatological hope.
TRV