### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
G5216 (ὑμῶν, transliterated as *hymōn*) is the genitive plural form of the second-person personal pronoun G5210 (ὑμεῖς, *hymeis*), meaning "you" (plural). As a genitive case, its core meaning revolves around possession, origin, or a broad range of relationships concerning a plural subject.
Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Possession:** The most common usage, indicating that something belongs to the plural "you" (e.g., "your faith," "your works"). This can be a subjective genitive (the "you" are the doers, e.g., "your love" – the love that you show) or an objective genitive (the "you" are the recipients, e.g., "the love of you" – love directed towards you).
* **Source or Origin:** Denoting something proceeding "from you" (e.g., "light from you").
* **Partitive Genitive:** Indicating a part of the plural "you" (e.g., "some of you").
* **Genitive of Reference or Relation:** Signifying "concerning you" or "about you."
* **With Prepositions:** Frequently used with prepositions that govern the genitive case, such as ἀπό (from), διά (through), ἐκ (out of), μετά (with), περί (concerning), πρός (towards), and ὑπέρ (on behalf of).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G5216 (ὑμῶν) is exceedingly common in the New Testament, appearing hundreds of times across various genres, reflecting its fundamental role in communication. Its pervasive use highlights its significance in defining relationships and responsibilities within the early Christian community.
* **In the Gospels:** Jesus frequently employs ὑμῶν when addressing His disciples, emphasizing their unique calling and shared experience. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, He speaks of "your Father in heaven" ([[Matthew 6:8]]), establishing a communal divine parentage. He also issues commands and promises that apply collectively, such as "Let your light shine before others" ([[Matthew 5:16]]) or "the Spirit of truth... will be in you" ([[John 14:17]]). This communal "your" binds them together in their mission and identity.
* **In Acts:** The pronoun often highlights the corporate nature of the early church. Peter's sermon on Pentecost declares, "For the promise is for you and for your children" ([[Acts 2:39]]), underscoring the covenantal continuity and collective reception of God's promise.
* **In the Pauline Epistles:** Paul extensively uses ὑμῶν to address specific churches, fostering a sense of shared identity, mutual responsibility, and spiritual inheritance.
* He commends their spiritual progress, as in "your faith is proclaimed in all the world" ([[Romans 1:8]]) or "your love for all the saints" ([[Colossians 1:4]]).
* He issues exhortations and instructions, such as "present your bodies as a living sacrifice" ([[Romans 12:1]]) or urges them to "work out your own salvation" ([[Philippians 2:12]]).
* Crucially, in discussions of salvation, ὑμῶν clarifies the source of grace: "By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not *of yourselves* (ἐξ ὑμῶν)" ([[Ephesians 2:8]]), explicitly denying human merit.
* **In Other Epistles:** The general epistles continue this pattern, emphasizing the collective life of believers. Peter encourages believers to "be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope" ([[1 Peter 3:15]]), placing the responsibility of witness on the community.
### Related Words & Concepts
G5216 (ὑμῶν) is intrinsically linked to other forms of the second-person plural pronoun, forming a complete paradigm:
* **G5210 (ὑμεῖς - *hymeis*):** The nominative plural "you" (the subject of a verb). G5216 is derived directly from this base form.
* **G5213 (ὑμῖν - *hymin*):** The dative plural "to/for you." This form often indicates the indirect object or the recipient of an action.
* **G5209 (ὑμᾶς - *hymas*):** The accusative plural "you." This form functions as the direct object of a verb or the object of certain prepositions.
Beyond its grammatical relatives, ὑμῶν connects to broader theological concepts:
* **Corporate Identity:** The consistent use of the plural "you" reinforces the New Testament emphasis on the Church as a unified body, a collective of believers, rather than merely a collection of individuals. This is foundational to ecclesiology.
* **Covenantal Relationship:** The "your" often signifies a shared covenant relationship with God (e.g., "your God," "your Father"), highlighting the communal aspect of divine election and blessing.
* **Shared Inheritance and Blessings:** Phrases like "your inheritance" or "your salvation" underscore that spiritual blessings are not just individually received but are part of a common spiritual heritage shared by the community of faith.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G5216 (ὑμῶν) lies primarily in its constant reinforcement of the communal and corporate dimensions of the Christian faith.
* **Communal Nature of Faith:** The pervasive use of "your" (plural) throughout the New Testament prevents an overly individualized understanding of salvation and discipleship. Faith, hope, love, and spiritual growth are presented as shared experiences and responsibilities within the body of Christ. God's promises and commands are often extended to a people, not merely isolated individuals.
* **Divine-Human Relationship:** When God or Christ addresses humanity using ὑμῶν, it underscores the personal yet collective relationship. God is not only *my* Father but *your* Father (plural), implying a shared divine parentage and family identity among believers. The Holy Spirit indwells *you* (plural), signifying the corporate temple of God.
* **Collective Responsibility and Accountability:** The "your" in commands and exhortations places direct responsibility on the community to live out their faith. "Let your light shine" ([[Matthew 5:16]]) or "your conduct among the Gentiles" ([[1 Peter 2:12]]) are calls to collective witness, moral integrity, and missional engagement.
* **Distinction and Identity:** The use of ὑμῶν often serves to distinguish the believing community from the unbelieving world, affirming their unique identity and belonging to God. "You are of God, little children" ([[1 John 4:4]]) sets believers apart as those who are born of God.
* **Participation in Grace:** While salvation is by grace through faith, the "your" in phrases like "your salvation" or "your calling" emphasizes that these divine realities are personally appropriated and experienced by believers, signifying their active participation in the divine economy.
### Summary
G5216 (ὑμῶν) is the genitive plural of the second-person pronoun "you," translating primarily as "of you" or "your." As a fundamental grammatical component, its frequent occurrence across the New Testament is highly significant. Contextually, it plays a crucial role in defining the intimate relationship between Christ and His disciples, fostering a sense of shared identity and collective responsibility within early Christian communities, and expressing the profound pastoral care of the apostles. Theologically, ὑμῶν underscores the fundamentally communal nature of the Christian faith, emphasizing the corporate dimension of the divine-human relationship, the shared blessings and responsibilities of believers, and their distinct identity as the people of God. Its consistent usage reinforces the understanding of the Church as a unified body, called to live out its faith in collective witness and obedience.
TRV