φύσις
phusis
nature
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the provided data, the word "φύσις" (phusis) is a Greek term that translates to "nature." It is a fundamental concept used 14 times in the Bible. The use of "nature" here likely refers to the inherent characteristics, tendencies, or essence of something or someone. The significance of this word lies in its broad range of application, encompassing both physical and metaphysical concepts. This inclusivity is reflected in its translation, which transcends modern categorizations of natural phenomena, human behavior, or abstract ideas. Instead, it speaks to the inherent qualities that define something as it exists. This nuanced concept likely plays a vital role in various biblical narratives and teachings, inviting readers to explore the intrinsic characteristics that shape the world and its inhabitants. The abundance of occurrences (14 times) further emphasizes the importance of this term in biblical discourse. It is likely used in various contexts, from describing the natural environment to examining human inclinations, making its meaning multifaceted and far-reaching.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences across the text
For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
Romans 2:14(for when Gentiles who don’t have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,
Romans 2:27Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?
Romans 11:21for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Romans 11:24For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
Romans 11:24For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
Romans 11:24For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
1 Corinthians 11:14Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
Galatians 2:15“We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,
Galatians 4:8However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
Ephesians 2:3We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
James 3:7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
James 3:7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
2 Peter 1:4by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.