A Greek-to-English glossary

Words

Every word in your English Bible is a translation. The original was Greek. Sometimes the translation captures the meaning perfectly. Sometimes it flattens or distorts what the original word actually meant.

This glossary lists the words that get most lost in translation. Look up the English word you'd see in your Bible. See the original Greek. See what it actually meant.

161 words

In your English Bible

abide

also: remain, stay, dwell

In the original Greek

μένω meno

What it actually means

To remain or stay — like making your home somewhere.

Common misreading Old English 'abide' sounds command-like. The original is closer to 'make your home here' — relational, not authoritative.
In your English Bible

adultery

In the original Greek

μοιχεία moicheia

What it actually means

Sexual violation of a marriage covenant.

Common misreading In strict ancient usage, specifically meant sex with another man's wife. Jesus expanded it to apply equally to both spouses.
In your English Bible

age

also: era, eternity

In the original Greek

αἰών aion

What it actually means

An era or defined period of time — sometimes total eternity.

Common misreading Often translated 'world' or 'eternity.' The Greek is more like 'era' — a defined time-frame with its own character.
In your English Bible

anointed

also: Christ, Messiah

In the original Greek

Χριστός christos

What it actually means

The Anointed One — Greek translation of Hebrew 'Mashiach' (Messiah).

Common misreading Most people treat 'Christ' as Jesus's surname. It's not — it's his title.
In your English Bible

apostle

also: one sent, messenger

In the original Greek

ἀπόστολος apostolos

What it actually means

One sent with a message and authority — like an ambassador.

Common misreading Became a religious title in English. The Greek just meant 'sent one with authority' — applicable to many roles.
In your English Bible

assembly

also: church, gathering

In the original Greek

ἐκκλησία ekklesia

What it actually means

An assembly of people called out for a purpose.

Common misreading English 'church' often means a building. Ekklesia is about people gathered together — never about real estate.
In your English Bible

assurance

also: substance, foundation, confidence

In the original Greek

ὑπόστασις hupostasis

What it actually means

What stands underneath — the actual substance of something.

Common misreading Often translated 'assurance' (subjective), but the Greek says faith is the actual substance — not just confidence about it.
In your English Bible

authority

also: power, right

In the original Greek

ἐξουσία exousia

What it actually means

The legitimate right to act.

Common misreading Different from raw power (dunamis). Exousia is the right to act; dunamis is the ability.
In your English Bible

baptize

also: immerse, dip

In the original Greek

βαπτίζω baptizo

What it actually means

To dip, plunge, or immerse fully.

Common misreading English 'baptize' can suggest sprinkling. The Greek strictly means full immersion.
In your English Bible

believe

also: trust, have faith

In the original Greek

πιστεύω pisteuo

What it actually means

To trust or rely on — relational, not just intellectual.

Common misreading English 'believe' often means just intellectual acceptance. The Greek includes active trust — relying on someone, not just accepting a fact.
In your English Bible

blasphemy

also: slander

In the original Greek

βλασφημία blasphemia

What it actually means

Speech that injures someone's reputation — toward God OR people.

Common misreading In modern English, 'blasphemy' is almost exclusively religious. The Greek covers any harmful speech against anyone.
In your English Bible

blessed

also: happy, fortunate

In the original Greek

μακάριος makarios

What it actually means

Deep, lasting well-being that doesn't depend on circumstances.

Common misreading Often confused with 'lucky' (the modern hashtag #blessed sense). Makarios is the opposite of luck.
In your English Bible

body

In the original Greek

σῶμα soma

What it actually means

The physical body — neutral, just the body.

Common misreading Often conflated with sarx (flesh). Greek distinguishes — soma is the body as a real, good thing; sarx often carries moral weight.
In your English Bible

breath

also: spirit, wind

In the original Greek

πνεῦμα pneuma

What it actually means

Breath, wind, or spirit — all the same word.

Common misreading English 'spirit' sounds ghostly. The original is closer to 'breath' — invisible but real and felt.
In your English Bible

brother

also: fellow believer

In the original Greek

ἀδελφός adelphos

What it actually means

Brother — biological or in faith. The plural often includes women too.

Common misreading When the New Testament addresses 'brothers,' it usually means 'siblings' — including women.
In your English Bible

brotherly love

In the original Greek

φιλαδελφία philadelphia

What it actually means

Affection between siblings — applied to fellow believers.

Common misreading The American city is named for this word. The original is warm sibling-style love.
In your English Bible

child

In the original Greek

τέκνον teknon

What it actually means

Child — emphasizes the relationship of being born from someone.

Common misreading English 'child' is mostly age-based. Teknon emphasizes the relational origin.
In your English Bible

clean

also: pure

In the original Greek

καθαρός katharos

What it actually means

Clean, unmixed, single-substance.

Common misreading Often interpreted as 'sexually chaste.' The Greek is broader — unmixed, undivided, without compromise.
In your English Bible

compassion

also: mercy

In the original Greek

ἔλεος eleos

What it actually means

Compassion that acts — not just feeling sorry for someone.

Common misreading Often equated with pity. Eleos is more than feeling — it's the action that follows the feeling.
In your English Bible

compassion (deep)

also: moved with compassion

In the original Greek

σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai

What it actually means

Visceral, gut-level compassion — moved in the bowels.

Common misreading English 'compassion' sounds polite. Splagchnizomai is physical — the gut punch you feel when you see real suffering.
In your English Bible

confess

also: agree, acknowledge

In the original Greek

ὁμολογέω homologeo

What it actually means

To say the same thing as God — verbal alignment with reality.

Common misreading English 'confess' suggests being forced to admit something. The Greek is voluntary alignment — agreeing with what's true.
In your English Bible

counselor

also: helper, advocate, comforter

In the original Greek

παράκλητος parakletos

What it actually means

One called alongside — to help, advocate, encourage.

Common misreading Different English translations pick one role (Helper, Advocate, Counselor, Comforter). The Greek means all four at once.
In your English Bible

covenant of words

also: agreement

In the original Greek

ὁμολογέω homologeo (verb)

What it actually means

See 'confess' above — same word. To agree, verbally align.
In your English Bible

creation

also: creature

In the original Greek

κτίσις ktisis

What it actually means

The act of creating, or the result of it.

Common misreading Modern 'creation' usually means just the made thing. The Greek includes the ongoing making process.
In your English Bible

crisis

also: judgment, decision

In the original Greek

κρίσις krisis

What it actually means

A deciding moment — a turning point requiring judgment.

Common misreading Modern 'crisis' means catastrophe. Greek krisis is more neutral — a moment where things must be decided.
In your English Bible

darkness

In the original Greek

σκότος skotos

What it actually means

Darkness — physical and moral.

Common misreading English 'darkness' is mostly absence of light. Greek skotos is a realm with its own character — not just empty space.
In your English Bible

dead

also: corpse

In the original Greek

νεκρός nekros

What it actually means

Dead — physically or spiritually.

Common misreading English 'dead' is mostly physical. Greek nekros readily includes spiritual senses — the New Testament can call a walking person 'dead.'
In your English Bible

death

In the original Greek

θάνατος thanatos

What it actually means

Death — physical and spiritual.

Common misreading Modern 'death' is mostly physical. Biblical thanatos includes spiritual separation from God.
In your English Bible

deceit

also: treachery

In the original Greek

δόλος dolos

What it actually means

Treachery, bait, trickery — luring someone into a trap.

Common misreading English 'deceit' is general. Dolos has a specific edge — it's calculating, premeditated trickery.
In your English Bible

desire

also: lust, craving

In the original Greek

ἐπιθυμία epithumia

What it actually means

Strong desire of any kind — good or bad depending on context.

Common misreading Often translated 'lust,' but the Greek isn't inherently sexual. The object and intent determines whether it's wrong.
In your English Bible

destitute

also: poor, beggar

In the original Greek

πτωχός ptochos

What it actually means

Utterly poor — a beggar with nothing.

Common misreading English 'poor' suggests low income. Ptochos is far stronger — having literally nothing.
In your English Bible

devil

also: slanderer

In the original Greek

διάβολος diabolos

What it actually means

Slanderer or accuser.

Common misreading Modern 'devil' is a red-suit cartoon figure. The Greek meaning is functional — one who accuses and slanders.
In your English Bible

disciple

also: learner, apprentice

In the original Greek

μαθητής mathetes

What it actually means

A learner walking behind a teacher — an apprentice.

Common misreading Modern 'disciple' sounds religious. Mathetes was a normal Greek word for any apprentice or student.
In your English Bible

doubt

also: two-minded

In the original Greek

διστάζω distazo

What it actually means

To be of two minds — wavering between options.

Common misreading Doubt isn't the opposite of faith — unbelief is. Distazo is wavering, which can coexist with real faith.
In your English Bible

earnest desire

also: zeal

In the original Greek

ζῆλος zelos

What it actually means

Burning desire or passion — for good or for harm.

Common misreading Modern 'jealousy' is the bad version of this. In Greek, zelos covered both holy passion AND destructive envy — context determined.
In your English Bible

endurance

also: perseverance, patience

In the original Greek

ὑπομονή hupomone

What it actually means

Remaining under load — active endurance, not passive waiting.

Common misreading Often translated 'patience,' which sounds passive. Hupomone is active — staying steady under pressure.
In your English Bible

envy

also: evil eye, stinginess

In the original Greek

ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός ophthalmos poneros

What it actually means

Greek idiom — literally 'evil eye,' meaning envy or stinginess.

Common misreading Translated literally as 'evil eye,' modern readers think of curses. The actual meaning is jealous heart or stingy outlook.
In your English Bible

eternal

also: everlasting, age-long

In the original Greek

αἰώνιος aionios

What it actually means

Belonging to the age — quality of life from God's kingdom.

Common misreading English 'eternal' suggests endless time. Aionios is more about quality — life that belongs to a different age.
In your English Bible

evil

also: wickedness

In the original Greek

πονηρία poneria

What it actually means

Active, intentional wickedness — wanting harm.

Common misreading Often grouped with general 'evil.' Greek poneria is specifically intentional — wanting harm, not just doing it accidentally.
In your English Bible

exultation

also: extreme joy

In the original Greek

ἀγαλλίασις agalliasis

What it actually means

Loud, leaping, expressive joy — beyond ordinary happiness.

Common misreading Often translated 'gladness,' which sounds quiet. Agalliasis is physical, exuberant joy.
In your English Bible

faith

also: trust, loyalty

In the original Greek

πίστις pistis

What it actually means

Relational trust — based on someone's track record.

Common misreading Often misread as 'blind faith.' The Greek is trust grounded in someone's character — closer to reliance than wishful thinking.
In your English Bible

family love

also: natural affection

In the original Greek

στοργή storge

What it actually means

The bond between parents, children, siblings, kin.

Common misreading One of four Greek words for love. English collapses all four into one.
In your English Bible

father

In the original Greek

πατήρ pater

What it actually means

Father — the standard Greek word.

Common misreading Modern English 'father' can sound formal. Jesus's use was intimate and relational.
In your English Bible

father (intimate)

also: daddy, papa

In the original Greek

ἀββᾶ abba

What it actually means

Intimate Aramaic word for father — closer to 'daddy' than 'father.'

Common misreading Often heard as formal. It was what a young child called their dad — affectionate, dependent.
In your English Bible

fear

also: reverence, awe

In the original Greek

φόβος phobos

What it actually means

Fear — or deep reverence (context determines).

Common misreading When the Bible says 'fear of God,' it doesn't mean terror. It's closer to reverent awe.
In your English Bible

fellowship

also: sharing, participation

In the original Greek

κοινωνία koinonia

What it actually means

Shared participation — actually having a stake in the same thing.

Common misreading English 'fellowship' has come to mean church socials. Koinonia is much stronger — real shared stake, not just shared snacks.
In your English Bible

finished

also: completed, paid in full

In the original Greek

τετέλεσται tetelestai

What it actually means

Completed and remaining complete — like 'paid in full' on a receipt.

Common misreading Sounds like 'I give up' in English. The Greek means 'mission accomplished, and remaining so.'
In your English Bible

flesh

also: human nature

In the original Greek

σάρξ sarx

What it actually means

Flesh — physical body OR human nature apart from God.

Common misreading Modern readers hear it as just 'body.' Paul often uses it to mean human nature without God's Spirit.
In your English Bible

follow

also: accompany

In the original Greek

ἀκολουθέω akoloutheo

What it actually means

To walk behind, go the same direction as.

Common misreading Modern 'follow' can mean online (social media). The Greek is embodied — actually walking the same road.
In your English Bible

foolishness

also: folly

In the original Greek

ἀφροσύνη aphrosune

What it actually means

Lack of sense — not stupidity but moral foolishness.

Common misreading English 'foolishness' can sound benign. In Greek, it's a moral failure — choosing poorly, not just thinking poorly.
In your English Bible

forgive

also: release, send away

In the original Greek

ἀφίημι aphiemi

What it actually means

To let go, release, send away.

Common misreading English 'forgive' suggests an internal feeling. Aphiemi is active release — letting go of what you were holding.
In your English Bible

friendship love

also: fond of

In the original Greek

φιλέω phileo

What it actually means

Friendship love — affection between equals.

Common misreading One of four Greek words for love. Different from chosen sacrificial love (agape).
In your English Bible

fullness

also: completeness

In the original Greek

πλήρωμα pleroma

What it actually means

What fills — nothing missing.

Common misreading English 'fullness' can sound passive. Pleroma is active — what fills, what completes.
In your English Bible

gentle

also: meek

In the original Greek

πραΰς praus

What it actually means

Strength under control — a trained warhorse, not a weak one.

Common misreading Modern 'meek' means weak or doormat-like. Praus is the opposite — real power restrained.
In your English Bible

gift

also: spiritual gift, grace-gift

In the original Greek

χάρισμα charisma

What it actually means

A grace-gift — ability given by God for service.

Common misreading Modern 'charisma' means personal magnetism. Greek charisma was about something given, not natural personality.
In your English Bible

glory

also: honor, splendor

In the original Greek

δόξα doxa

What it actually means

The visible weight of someone's actual nature.

Common misreading English 'glory' sounds like bright lights. Doxa is more about substance made visible — real weight showing through.
In your English Bible

God

also: god

In the original Greek

θεός theos

What it actually means

Deity. In the New Testament, almost always the God of Israel.

Common misreading When the New Testament says 'the God' in Greek, it's specifically the God of Israel — not just any god.
In your English Bible

God-breathed

also: inspired

In the original Greek

θεόπνευστος theopneustos

What it actually means

Breathed-out by God — used of scripture.

Common misreading English 'inspired' has become weak. The Greek is stronger — actually breathed out by God, living and active.
In your English Bible

good

In the original Greek

ἀγαθός agathos

What it actually means

Inherently good — good in nature, useful, beneficial.

Common misreading English 'good' covers both agathos and kalos. Greek distinguishes — agathos is about intrinsic goodness.
In your English Bible

good (beautiful)

also: fine, excellent

In the original Greek

καλός kalos

What it actually means

Beautiful, excellent, fitting — goodness that's also beautiful.

Common misreading English 'good' collapses agathos and kalos. Kalos has an aesthetic dimension — goodness that's beautiful.
In your English Bible

good news

also: gospel

In the original Greek

εὐαγγέλιον euangelion

What it actually means

Good news — originally the announcement of a king's victory.

Common misreading Modern 'gospel' has become a religious technical term. The original was political — the announcement of a kingdom and its king.
In your English Bible

grace

also: favor, kindness, credit

In the original Greek

χάρις charis

What it actually means

An unearned gift — favor freely given.

Common misreading Modern 'grace' has narrowed to religious term. The Greek was everyday word for any free, unearned gift.
In your English Bible

great power

also: might

In the original Greek

δύναμις dunamis

What it actually means

Raw power, ability to perform.

Common misreading Different from exousia (authority). Dunamis is the ability; exousia is the right. You can have one without the other.
In your English Bible

grief

also: sorrow, pain

In the original Greek

λύπη lupe

What it actually means

Mental or emotional pain — the weight of distress.

Common misreading English 'sorrow' can sound poetic. Lupe is direct — the actual weight of pain.
In your English Bible

hades

also: realm of the dead, grave

In the original Greek

ᾅδης hades

What it actually means

The general realm of the dead — where everyone goes physically.

Common misreading Often translated 'hell,' but hades isn't gehenna. Hades is general; gehenna is specifically judgment.
In your English Bible

heal

In the original Greek

ἰάομαι iaomai

What it actually means

To make whole — physically or spiritually.

Common misreading Sometimes flattened with therapeuo (also 'heal'). Iaomai emphasizes the result — being whole.
In your English Bible

heart

In the original Greek

καρδία kardia

What it actually means

The inner person — mind, will, and emotions fused together.

Common misreading English 'heart' is mostly emotions. The Greek (and Hebrew) sense includes thinking, deciding, AND feeling.
In your English Bible

heaven

also: sky

In the original Greek

οὐρανός ouranos

What it actually means

Sky, heavens, dwelling place of God.

Common misreading English distinguishes sky (physical) from heaven (spiritual). Greek didn't — they were the same word.
In your English Bible

hell

also: Valley of Hinnom

In the original Greek

γέεννα gehenna

What it actually means

The Valley of Hinnom — a real trash valley outside Jerusalem.

Common misreading Modern 'hell' has Dante-inspired images. Gehenna was an actual smoldering trash dump — a concrete image, not a fantasy realm.
In your English Bible

holy

also: set apart, sacred

In the original Greek

ἅγιος hagios

What it actually means

Set apart for a purpose.

Common misreading English 'holy' often implies distant or judgmental. Hagios is about purpose — dedicated to specific use.
In your English Bible

hope

also: confident expectation

In the original Greek

ἐλπίς elpis

What it actually means

Confident expectation — anchored, not wishful.

Common misreading Modern 'hope' often means 'I wish.' Greek elpis is closer to 'I expect, with reason.'
In your English Bible

hospitality

also: love of strangers

In the original Greek

φιλοξενία philoxenia

What it actually means

Love of strangers — welcoming people you don't know.

Common misreading Modern 'hospitality' has become entertainment. Philoxenia was costlier — welcoming actual strangers, often at risk.
In your English Bible

humble

also: lowly

In the original Greek

ταπεινός tapeinos

What it actually means

Occupying the low position — not just acting modest.

Common misreading English 'humble' can sound like a virtue you display. Tapeinos is more like a position you actually take.
In your English Bible

insight

also: understanding

In the original Greek

σύνεσις sunesis

What it actually means

The ability to see how pieces fit together.

Common misreading Different from sophia (wisdom) and gnosis (knowledge). Sunesis is specifically connecting and perceiving patterns.
In your English Bible

Jesus

also: Joshua

In the original Greek

Ἰησοῦς iesous

What it actually means

Greek form of Hebrew Yeshua — meaning 'Yahweh saves.'

Common misreading Treated as a specifically religious name. In 1st-century Israel, it was a common name — like Michael today. The name itself MEANS 'salvation.'
In your English Bible

joy

In the original Greek

χαρά chara

What it actually means

Joy — related to grace, deeper than happiness.

Common misreading Happiness depends on happenings. Chara holds even when circumstances aren't joyful.
In your English Bible

judge

also: decide, separate

In the original Greek

κρίνω krino

What it actually means

To render a verdict — separate between options.

Common misreading Jesus's 'judge not' uses krino (verdict). Discernment (diakrino) is different. English doesn't distinguish.
In your English Bible

kingdom

also: reign, rule

In the original Greek

βασιλεία basileia

What it actually means

Royal rule — more verb than place.

Common misreading English 'kingdom' suggests geography. Basileia is closer to 'active reign of a king.'
In your English Bible

know (experiential)

also: experience, recognize

In the original Greek

γινώσκω ginosko

What it actually means

To know through experience or relationship.

Common misreading English 'know' covers both ginosko and oida. Ginosko is intimate — knowing a person, not just about them.
In your English Bible

know (intellectual)

also: perceive

In the original Greek

οἶδα oida

What it actually means

To know intellectually, factually, intuitively.

Common misreading When Jesus said 'I never knew you' to false followers, he used ginosko (relational) — not oida (intellectual). The difference matters.
In your English Bible

knowledge

In the original Greek

γνῶσις gnosis

What it actually means

Knowledge gained through experience or relationship.

Common misreading Sometimes confused with mere information. Biblical gnosis is relational — the kind you get from spending time with someone.
In your English Bible

lamb

In the original Greek

ἀμνός amnos

What it actually means

A young lamb — innocent, sacrificial.

Common misreading Modern readers think lambs are cute. In sacrificial culture, the lamb image meant innocence AND death.
In your English Bible

last

also: final, uttermost

In the original Greek

ἔσχατος eschatos

What it actually means

Last in a sequence — position or time.

Common misreading Often associated specifically with end-times. Greek just meant 'last' — temporal or positional.
In your English Bible

law

also: principle, custom

In the original Greek

νόμος nomos

What it actually means

Law — both formal codes (Torah) and operating principles.

Common misreading English 'law' sounds like legislation. Greek nomos can mean any binding principle, not just legal codes.
In your English Bible

lawlessness

also: wickedness

In the original Greek

ἀνομία anomia

What it actually means

Without law — active rejection of God's authority.

Common misreading Often translated 'wickedness.' The Greek is direct — refusing to live under any authority but yourself.
In your English Bible

lewdness

also: sensuality, shameless indulgence

In the original Greek

ἀσέλγεια aselgeia

What it actually means

Unrestrained behavior, especially in public — shamelessness.

Common misreading Often narrowed to mean 'sexual immorality.' The Greek is broader — any kind of unrestrained, shameless behavior.
In your English Bible

life

In the original Greek

ζωή zoe

What it actually means

Deep, animating life — the spark, not just duration.

Common misreading English 'life' collapses zoe and bios. Bios is the timeline; zoe is what makes those years alive.
In your English Bible

life (biological)

also: livelihood

In the original Greek

βίος bios

What it actually means

Biological life — your years, career, circumstances.

Common misreading English 'life' covers both bios and zoe. Greek distinguishes — bios is the timeline; zoe is the spark.
In your English Bible

light

In the original Greek

φῶς phos

What it actually means

Light — physical and as revelation.

Common misreading Modern 'light' is a physics term. Greek phos carries metaphysical weight — light as revelation, truth made visible.
In your English Bible

Lord

also: master, owner, sir

In the original Greek

κύριος kurios

What it actually means

One who has authority over something or someone.

Common misreading Modern 'Lord' sounds purely religious. In Greek it was everyday — when applied to Jesus, calling him kurios was a political claim.
In your English Bible

love

In the original Greek

ἀγάπη agape

What it actually means

Chosen, sacrificial love — doesn't depend on feeling.

Common misreading English collapses four Greek love words into one. Agape isn't warm feelings — it's chosen action.
In your English Bible

mammon

also: money, wealth

In the original Greek

μαμωνᾶς mamonas

What it actually means

Wealth personified as a rival to God.

Common misreading Modern readers think Mammon is a demon. It's not — it's wealth treated as a competing god.
In your English Bible

mercy

also: compassion

In the original Greek

ἔλεος eleos

What it actually means

Compassion that acts.

Common misreading Often equated with pity. Eleos is more than feeling — it's the action that follows the feeling.
In your English Bible

mind

also: understanding, intellect

In the original Greek

νοῦς nous

What it actually means

The mind — both thinking and orientation.

Common misreading English 'mind' is mostly thinking. Greek nous includes mindset — your orientation, not just your processing.
In your English Bible

missing the mark

also: sin

In the original Greek

ἁμαρτία hamartia

What it actually means

Missing the target you were aiming at.

Common misreading Modern 'sin' has become a checklist of forbidden behaviors. The Greek is broader — including the good you fail to do.
In your English Bible

mystery

also: secret, hidden truth

In the original Greek

μυστήριον mysterion

What it actually means

A previously hidden truth that has now been revealed.

Common misreading English 'mystery' means unsolvable. Greek mysterion means 'revealed secret' — opened up, not still hidden.
In your English Bible

name

also: character, authority

In the original Greek

ὄνομα onoma

What it actually means

Name — but also essence, character, authority.

Common misreading English 'name' is mostly a label. Biblical onoma is much more — your name was your identity and reputation.
In your English Bible

neighbor

also: the one near

In the original Greek

πλησίον plesion

What it actually means

The one near — whoever is in front of you needing help.

Common misreading Modern 'neighbor' means the person next door. Greek plesion is broader — anyone close enough to help.
In your English Bible

one and only

also: unique, only-begotten

In the original Greek

μονογενής monogenes

What it actually means

One of a kind — not 'only created.'

Common misreading Older translations rendered 'only-begotten,' implying Jesus was created. The Greek is about uniqueness, not origin.
In your English Bible

paradise

also: garden

In the original Greek

παράδεισος paradeisos

What it actually means

An enclosed garden, especially a royal one.

Common misreading Modern 'paradise' suggests tropical resort. The original was a walled royal garden — ordered beauty and intimate access.
In your English Bible

patience

also: longsuffering, forbearance

In the original Greek

μακροθυμία makrothumia

What it actually means

Long-tempered — slow to anger with people.

Common misreading Often translated 'patience.' Makrothumia is specifically about people — slowness to anger, bearing with faults.
In your English Bible

peace

In the original Greek

εἰρήνη eirene

What it actually means

Wholeness — everything in right alignment.

Common misreading Modern 'peace' means 'no fighting.' Biblical peace means flourishing in right relationship — including conflict that serves restoration.
In your English Bible

pearls

In the original Greek

μαργαρῖται margaritai

What it actually means

Pearls — the most valuable gem in the ancient world.

Common misreading Jesus's 'don't cast pearls before swine' assumes the listener knows pearls were the top-value item — more valuable than gold.
In your English Bible

poor (working)

also: needy

In the original Greek

πένης penes

What it actually means

Working poor — has to labor but isn't destitute.

Common misreading English 'poor' covers both penes and ptochos. Greek distinguishes — penes is income-poor; ptochos is dependence-poor.
In your English Bible

power

also: might, ability

In the original Greek

δύναμις dunamis

What it actually means

Raw ability to perform — root of 'dynamic' and 'dynamite.'

Common misreading Often confused with exousia (authority). Dunamis is the ability; exousia is the right.
In your English Bible

pray

In the original Greek

προσευχή proseuche

What it actually means

Direct address to God — formal or casual.

Common misreading Modern 'prayer' sounds formal. The original includes any direct speech to God — a continuous conversation.
In your English Bible

presence

also: coming, arrival

In the original Greek

παρουσία parousia

What it actually means

Arrival AND ongoing presence — both at once.

Common misreading Often translated 'coming' only. The Greek includes presence — when Jesus comes, he stays.
In your English Bible

proclamation

also: preaching, message

In the original Greek

κήρυγμα kerygma

What it actually means

What is proclaimed by a herald — the content of the message.

Common misreading Modern 'preaching' can mean any religious talk. Kerygma was a public announcement of important news.
In your English Bible

prophet

In the original Greek

προφήτης prophetes

What it actually means

One who speaks forth for God — not primarily a fortune-teller.

Common misreading Modern 'prophet' usually means fortune-teller. Biblical prophets mostly addressed the present, not the future.
In your English Bible

propitiation

also: atonement, mercy seat

In the original Greek

ἱλαστήριον hilasterion

What it actually means

The place where wrong is made right — originally the Ark's cover.

Common misreading Theologians argue about 'propitiation' vs 'expiation.' The Greek is simpler — the meeting place where mercy is given.
In your English Bible

pure

also: clean

In the original Greek

καθαρός katharos

What it actually means

Clean, unmixed, single-substance.

Common misreading Often interpreted as 'sexually chaste.' The Greek is broader — unmixed, undivided, without compromise.
In your English Bible

rage

also: temper, fury

In the original Greek

θυμός thumos

What it actually means

Burning, sudden anger — temper that flashes.

Common misreading Different from orge (settled anger). Thumos is the flash of rage; orge is the weighed verdict.
In your English Bible

ransom

also: price of release

In the original Greek

λύτρον lutron

What it actually means

The price paid to free a slave or prisoner.

Common misreading Theological debates miss that lutron was a normal economic word. Jesus used everyday language for extraordinary release.
In your English Bible

rebellion

also: transgression

In the original Greek

παράβασις parabasis

What it actually means

Deliberately stepping across a known line.

Common misreading Different from hamartia (missing the mark — can be accidental). Parabasis is intentional rule-breaking.
In your English Bible

redemption

also: release, deliverance

In the original Greek

ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrosis

What it actually means

Being bought out of slavery — paying for someone's release.

Common misreading Modern 'redemption' is abstract. The original was literal — someone paying to free someone else.
In your English Bible

remain

also: abide, stay, dwell

In the original Greek

μένω meno

What it actually means

To stay, remain, make your home.

Common misreading Old English 'abide' sounds archaic. The original is closer to 'make your home here.'
In your English Bible

repentance

In the original Greek

μετάνοια metanoia

What it actually means

Change of mind so thorough that direction changes.

Common misreading Often heard as guilty crying. The Greek is the U-turn, not the regret.
In your English Bible

resurrection

also: rising up

In the original Greek

ἀνάστασις anastasis

What it actually means

Standing up again — bodily return to life.

Common misreading Some traditions soften resurrection to mean spiritual continuation. The Greek is concrete — physically standing up again.
In your English Bible

revelation

also: unveiling, disclosure

In the original Greek

ἀποκάλυψις apokalupsis

What it actually means

An uncovering — taking the cover off.

Common misreading Modern 'apocalypse' means catastrophic destruction. The Greek means uncovering — Revelation is literally 'The Uncovering.'
In your English Bible

righteousness

also: justice

In the original Greek

δικαιοσύνη dikaiosune

What it actually means

Right relationship + right action — both with God and others.

Common misreading Often flattened to 'being a good person.' The original is relational and includes social justice — not just personal morality.
In your English Bible

romantic love

In the original Greek

ἔρως eros

What it actually means

Romantic or sexual love.

Common misreading One of four Greek words for love. Doesn't appear in the New Testament directly but is in the broader vocabulary.
In your English Bible

sacrifice

also: offering

In the original Greek

θυσία thusia

What it actually means

An offering given to God at real cost.

Common misreading Modern 'sacrifice' means giving up something small. Greek thusia carried weight — real cost, not symbolic.
In your English Bible

salvation

also: rescue, deliverance, healing

In the original Greek

σωτηρία soteria

What it actually means

Rescue or deliverance — from danger, sickness, or oppression.

Common misreading Often narrowed to 'going to heaven.' Soteria includes physical healing and ongoing restoration — not just afterlife.
In your English Bible

save

also: rescue, heal, preserve

In the original Greek

σώζω sozo

What it actually means

To save, rescue, or heal — physical or spiritual.

Common misreading Modern 'save' is mostly spiritual. Greek sozo was used of any kind of rescue, including physical and medical.
In your English Bible

savior

also: deliverer, rescuer

In the original Greek

σωτήρ soter

What it actually means

One who rescues or delivers — used of generals, gods, emperors.

Common misreading Modern 'savior' has become religious. In the 1st century, calling someone soter was political — emperors claimed the title.
In your English Bible

servant

also: minister, deacon

In the original Greek

διάκονος diakonos

What it actually means

One who serves — originally a table-waiter.

Common misreading Modern 'minister' suggests authority. The Greek is the opposite — taking the lower position, doing practical service.
In your English Bible

sexual immorality

also: fornication

In the original Greek

πορνεία porneia

What it actually means

Broad category of sexual sin — prostitution, adultery, sex outside marriage.

Common misreading Different traditions narrow or broaden porneia differently. The Greek itself is ambiguous in extent.
In your English Bible

shameless indulgence

also: lewdness, sensuality

In the original Greek

ἀσέλγεια aselgeia

What it actually means

Unrestrained behavior, especially in public.

Common misreading Often narrowed to sexual immorality. The Greek is broader — any kind of unrestrained, shameless behavior.
In your English Bible

sin

In the original Greek

ἁμαρτία hamartia

What it actually means

Missing the mark — failing to be what you were made to be.

Common misreading Modern 'sin' is a checklist of forbidden behaviors. The Greek is broader — includes failure to do good, not just doing evil.
In your English Bible

sinless

also: without sin

In the original Greek

ἀναμάρτητος anamartetos

What it actually means

Having never missed the mark.

Common misreading There's no exact English equivalent. 'Sinless' sounds like a moral grade rather than the state of never having misaimed.
In your English Bible

slander

also: blasphemy

In the original Greek

βλασφημία blasphemia

What it actually means

Speech that injures reputation — toward God or people.

Common misreading Modern 'blasphemy' is exclusively religious. The Greek covers any harmful speech.
In your English Bible

slave

also: servant, bondservant

In the original Greek

δοῦλος doulos

What it actually means

A slave — owned by another, not free.

Common misreading Translations often soften 'slave' to 'servant.' The Greek is uncompromising — Paul calls himself a doulos of Christ.
In your English Bible

son

In the original Greek

υἱός huios

What it actually means

Son — biological OR one who shares a character.

Common misreading Modern focus is biological. Ancient usage: 'son of X' often meant 'one who shares X's character' (sons of light = those living in light).
In your English Bible

soul

also: life, self

In the original Greek

ψυχή psyche

What it actually means

The animating life — personality, identity, conscious self.

Common misreading English 'soul' has become abstract. Greek psyche is your actual living self — personality, awareness, identity together.
In your English Bible

spirit

also: breath, wind

In the original Greek

πνεῦμα pneuma

What it actually means

Breath, wind, spirit — all the same word.

Common misreading English 'spirit' sounds ghostly. The original is closer to 'breath' — invisible but real, with effects you can see.
In your English Bible

stumbling block

also: trap, offense

In the original Greek

σκάνδαλον skandalon

What it actually means

Originally the trigger-stick on a hunting trap.

Common misreading Root of English 'scandal' — but the modern sense is much weaker than the original (something that actively trips you up).
In your English Bible

sword

also: dagger

In the original Greek

μάχαιρα machaira

What it actually means

A short blade — not a long battle sword.

Common misreading English readers picture a longsword. Machaira is closer to a knife — and often used metaphorically.
In your English Bible

teacher

also: master

In the original Greek

διδάσκαλος didaskalos

What it actually means

A teacher — equivalent of the Aramaic 'rabbi.'

Common misreading Modern 'teacher' suggests a professional educator. In 1st-century context, more like a mentor or authoritative guide.
In your English Bible

teacher (Aramaic)

also: rabbi, master

In the original Greek

ῥαββί rabbi

What it actually means

Aramaic title — literally 'my great one.'

Common misreading Modern readers think of 'rabbi' as Jewish clergy. In Jesus's time, it was a title for any respected teacher.
In your English Bible

testimony

also: witness

In the original Greek

μαρτυρία martyria

What it actually means

What a witness says — legal or personal.

Common misreading Modern 'testimony' has become religious-specific. The Greek was originally legal — what a witness says in court.
In your English Bible

thanksgiving

also: gratitude

In the original Greek

εὐχαριστία eucharistia

What it actually means

Giving thanks — literally 'good grace.'

Common misreading Modern 'eucharist' has become a church ritual. The Greek just meant 'thanksgiving' — gratitude in word and deed.
In your English Bible

time (clock)

also: duration

In the original Greek

χρόνος chronos

What it actually means

Sequential, measurable time — minutes, hours, years.

Common misreading English 'time' collapses chronos and kairos. Chronos is duration; kairos is opportunity.
In your English Bible

time (right)

also: appointed time, opportune moment

In the original Greek

καιρός kairos

What it actually means

The right moment — when something becomes possible.

Common misreading English 'time' collapses chronos and kairos. Kairos is qualitative — the moment WHEN, not the time AT WHICH.
In your English Bible

transgression

also: false step

In the original Greek

παράπτωμα paraptoma

What it actually means

A slip or fall off the path — less deliberate than rebellion.

Common misreading Often translated 'trespass' like parabasis. Paraptoma is the slip; parabasis is the deliberate crossing.
In your English Bible

trust

also: faith, loyalty

In the original Greek

πίστις pistis

What it actually means

Relational trust — based on someone's character.

Common misreading Often misread as 'blind faith.' The Greek is reliance grounded in someone's track record.
In your English Bible

truth

In the original Greek

ἀλήθεια aletheia

What it actually means

Reality — what's not hidden, literally 'un-concealed.'

Common misreading Often flattened to 'facts.' Aletheia includes alignment of person and reality, not just accuracy of statements.
In your English Bible

unbelief

also: faithlessness

In the original Greek

ἀπιστία apistia

What it actually means

Refusal or absence of trust.

Common misreading Often equated with intellectual doubt. The Greek is relational — broken or absent trust.
In your English Bible

ungodliness

also: impiety

In the original Greek

ἀσέβεια asebeia

What it actually means

Refusal to honor God — a relational failing.

Common misreading Often translated 'ungodliness' (vague). The Greek targets disrespect or indifference toward God specifically.
In your English Bible

unrighteousness

also: injustice

In the original Greek

ἀδικία adikia

What it actually means

Personal wrongdoing AND systemic injustice — same word.

Common misreading Often narrowed to individual moral failure. The Greek includes systemic injustice — corrupt systems, oppression.
In your English Bible

way

also: road, path, journey

In the original Greek

ὁδός hodos

What it actually means

A literal road — used metaphorically for a way of life.

Common misreading English 'way' is abstract. Hodos is concrete — a literal road. Following 'the way' means actually traveling.
In your English Bible

wealth

also: riches, abundance

In the original Greek

πλοῦτος ploutos

What it actually means

Wealth — material or spiritual.

Common misreading Modern 'wealth' is mostly financial. Greek ploutos was used for any abundance — spiritual riches included.
In your English Bible

whole

also: complete, entire

In the original Greek

ὅλος holos

What it actually means

Whole, complete, undivided — root of 'holistic.'

Common misreading Modern 'whole' can sound vague. The Greek implies nothing left out, no part missing.
In your English Bible

will

also: desire, wish

In the original Greek

θέλημα thelema

What it actually means

What someone wants — preference, decision, will.

Common misreading English 'will' suggests authoritative command. Greek thelema is broader — what you want, not what you order.
In your English Bible

will (deliberate)

also: counsel, purpose

In the original Greek

βουλή boule

What it actually means

Deliberate, weighed intention — not just impulse.

Common misreading Often translated 'will' like thelema. Boule is more specific — the will that has been thought through.
In your English Bible

wisdom

In the original Greek

σοφία sophia

What it actually means

Knowing how to live well — not just knowing facts.

Common misreading Modern 'wisdom' can sound abstract. Greek sophia was practical — knowing how to live skillfully.
In your English Bible

witness

also: martyr

In the original Greek

μάρτυς martus

What it actually means

A witness — someone who has seen something and can attest.

Common misreading English 'martyr' has narrowed to mean someone who dies for faith. The original just meant witness.
In your English Bible

word

also: reason, principle, message

In the original Greek

λόγος logos

What it actually means

Word, reason, the structuring principle of something.

Common misreading English 'word' suggests a single utterance. Logos is much bigger — can mean the entire rational structure of meaning.
In your English Bible

world

also: universe, order

In the original Greek

κόσμος kosmos

What it actually means

Ordered system — including human values that often oppose God.

Common misreading English 'world' is mostly geographical. Greek kosmos is systemic — 'love not the world' doesn't mean Earth; it means the system.
In your English Bible

worship

also: bow down

In the original Greek

προσκυνέω proskuneo

What it actually means

Literally 'to kiss toward' — physical bow before someone greater.

Common misreading Modern 'worship' is often singing. Greek proskuneo is physical — the posture of submission and reverence.
In your English Bible

wrath

also: anger

In the original Greek

ὀργή orge

What it actually means

Settled, deliberate anger — not impulsive rage.

Common misreading God's wrath isn't divine temper tantrum. Orge is measured opposition to what destroys — considered, not impulsive.
In your English Bible

yoke

In the original Greek

ζυγός zugos

What it actually means

A wooden harness joining two animals — a partnership tool.

Common misreading Modern readers picture servitude. The actual yoke was about being paired up — sharing a load, not enslaved.