Aléthinos (228 in Strong's Concordance) is an adjective in Ancient Greek that means to be true, to be real, or to be genuine. It is often used as a contrast between an authentic object and imitation of it.
Most uses of the word are accompanied by abstract nouns such as true riches, true judgement, or true words. There are uses with concrete nouns but the adjective transforms them into symbolic nouns, such as true light, true bread, true heart, or true vine. Lastly, there are uses where the noun is dual-natured such as true worshippers, true witness, or true God, these can be classified as both concrete and abstract dependent on context.
This adjective is well-represented in the English language because of our many words to convey the concept.
Related Terms
The following terms are often used in connection with aléthinos:
Usage
Aléthinos is used 28 times across 26 verses. Below is a list of all references in the New Testament:
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
Luke 16:11 ESV
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 1:9 ESV
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23 ESV
For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’
John 4:37 ESV
Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
John 6:32 ESV
So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know.
John 7:28 ESV
Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
John 8:16 ESV
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:1 ESV
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:3 ESV
He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.
John 19:35 ESV
For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
1 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV
a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.
Hebrews 8:2 ESV
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Hebrews 9:24 ESV
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 ESV
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, becausethe darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
1 John 2:8 ESV
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20 ESV
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Revelation 3:7 ESV
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
Revelation 3:14 ESV
They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Revelation 6:10 ESV
And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
Revelation 15:3 ESV
And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”
Revelation 16:7 ESV
for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.
Revelation 19:2 ESV
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:9 ESV
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11 ESV
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:5 ESV
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
Revelation 22:6 ESV
Comments