(Huiothesia)

 

Greek Pronunciation [hwee ah theh SEE ah]

HCSB Translation:  adoption 

Uses in the NT: 5

 

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
(Romans 8:15)

 

The Greek noun huiothesia literally means a son placing and comes from huios (son) and tithemi (to place).  The term refers to the legal act whereby a child is accepted into a family on an equal basis—including the same rights of inheritance—with any physical offspring of the parents.  Although huiothesia was quite common in Greek literature and adoption was widely practiced in the Greco-Roman world, only Paul used huiothesia in the NT, and then only five times.  Paul explained that to Israel belonged ”the adoption” (Rm 9:4), which probably refers to the fact that God called Israel His son on occasion. In the other four passages where Paul used huiothesia, the term refers to those who by faith in Christ have been accepted into God’s family (Rm. 8:15; Gal. 4:5), which was His plan before creation (Eph. 1:5).  Believers do not receive their full inheritance as sons of God until final salvation, ”the redemption of our bodies” at the resurrection (Rm. 8:23).

 

 


Word Studies courtesy of the Holman Christian Standard Study Bible. Used with permissions from B&H Publishing Group, A Division of LifeWay Christian Resources.