Strong's G3446: μόρφωσις (mórphōsis) Meaning

Quick Definition

μόρφωσις, εως, ἡ n.f. form, outline

Strong's Definition

formation, i.e. (by implication), appearance (semblance or (concretely) formula)

Derivation: from G3445 (μορφόω);

KJV Usage: form

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

μόρφωσις (G3446)

noun, f. | -εως | μορφόω

58.3 · Nature, Class, Example · Nature, Character

embodiment, full content, essential features the embodiment of the essential features and qualities of something In some languages there may not be a substantive corresponding to ‘features’ or ‘essential features.’ It may therefore be important to restructure this expression in ROM 2:20 as ‘to possess correctly the knowledge and truth in the Law’ or ‘to truly possess the knowledge and truth in the Law’ or even ‘in the Law to know fully the truth.’

ROM 2:20 · 2TI 3:5

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

μόρφωσις, -cws, ἧ, (μορφόω); img: τῶν δένδρων, Theophr. e. pl. 3, 7, 4. i.e. a. the mere form, semblance: εὐσεβείας, 2 Tim. iii. 5. b. the form befitting the thing or truly expressing the fact, the very form: τῆς γνώσεως x. τῆς ἀληθείας, Ro. ii. 20.

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

μόρφωσις morphōsis 2x

pr. a shaping, moulding; in NT external form, appearance, 2 Tim. 3:5; a settled form. prescribed system, Rom. 2:20*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

*† μόρφωσις, -εως, ἡ

(< μορφόω),

a forming, shaping (Theophr.).

form, outline, semblance: Ro 2:20; opp. to δύναμις, II Ti 3:5.†

SYN.: μορφή (q.v.), σχῆμα.

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

μόρφωσις. Pallis ad Rom 259 regards μόρφωσιν as probably a Stoical term -- παίδευσιν, “education,” and compares μορφωμένος in MGr applied toa well-educated person. With 2 Tim 3° cf. Philo De Plantat. 70 (ed. Wendland) ἐπεὶ καὶ νῦν εἰσί τινες τῶν ἐπιμορφαζόντων εὐσέβειαν, οἱ TO πρόχειρον τοῦ λόγου παρασυκοφαντοῦσι φάσκοντες οὔθ᾽ ὅσιον οὔτ᾽ ἀσφαλὲς εἶναι λέγειν ἀνθρώπου θεὸν κλῆρον. The subst. μβόρφωμα is found gezzguies in Aquila’s version of the OT: see HR s.z.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

μόρφωσις (morphōsis) — form. μόρφ-ωσις, εως, ἡ, shaping, bringing into shape, σχηματισμὸς καὶ μ. τῶν δένδρων [Refs 4th c.BC+]

II. form, semblance, [NT]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

μόρφωσις, -εως, ἡ (μορφόω), __1. a forming, shaping (Theophr.). __2. form, outline, semblance: Rom.2:20; opposite to δύναμις, 2Ti.3:5.† SYN.: μορφή (which see), σχῆμα (AS)

Bible Occurrences (2)

2:20

3:5

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Form (embodiment) (3446) morphosis

Embodiment (3446) (morphosis from morphe = stresses essence of one’s nature) refers to the to outward shape and appearance, such as that of a silhouette, which is an outline or shadow of something. The root word morphe emphasizes both the internal and external form and thus refers to the outward display of the inner reality or the essential form of something which never alters. Webster says that to embody is to form or collect into a united mass (a body) and to give a tangible, concrete form to an abstract concept. The Law is a valid form in which spiritual knowledge and truth are collected together as a comprehensive whole. Vincent - morphe, form is the expression or embodiment of the essential and permanent being of that which is expressed... In Ro 2:20, morphosis is the truthful embodiment of knowledge and truth as contained in the law of God....(He adds that morphe is) not mere appearance, but the scheme, the correct embodiment of the lineaments of truth and knowledge in the law. Paul uses morphosis to describe the false (spiritually dead) teachers warning Timothy that they are... holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. (2Ti 3:5-note)

G3446 μόρφωσις (mórphōsis)