ἄνευ (aneu)
aneu
without
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The preposition aneu simply means "without." It is a straightforward term that indicates the absence of something or someone. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, making it a rare word in Scripture.
Its usage highlights specific conditions. In Matthew 10:29, Jesus notes that sparrows cannot fall to the ground aneu your Father, emphasizing divine sovereignty over even small events. Similarly, 1 Peter 3:1 encourages wives to win husbands aneu the word, meaning without verbal persuasion or argumentation.
Though rare, aneu serves a clear function in these texts. It strips away assumptions about human agency or effort. The sources confirm it is used with the genitive case to denote exclusion. This simplicity allows the focus to remain on who or what is actually present.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word aneu simply means "without." It appears only three times in the New Testament, carrying a clear and direct message about what is absent in a situation. In Matthew 10:29, Jesus uses it to show that not even a sparrow falls without the Father’s knowledge. This reminds us that nothing in our lives happens by accident or outside of God’s care. Even when we feel small or overlooked, His attention remains fixed on every detail.
In 1 Peter 3:1 and 4:9, the word shifts focus to human relationships. Wives are encouraged to win their husbands without words, relying on gentle behavior rather than argument. Similarly, believers are called to hospitality without grumbling. These verses highlight that true love often speaks through actions and attitudes, not just speech. When we serve others with patience and kindness, we reflect Christ’s heart in practical ways.
Understanding aneu helps us see how God uses absence to reveal presence. It is not about emptiness, but about trusting who is actually there. Whether in suffering or service, this word invites us to rest in God’s sovereignty and to serve with grace. May we find peace in knowing He holds all things together.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- without2×
- apart from1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄνευ3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:29
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
This verse uses aneu to emphasize that divine oversight extends even to the smallest events, reassuring believers of God’s intimate care.
-
I Peter 3:1
In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word,
Here, aneu highlights how transformative behavior can be more powerful than verbal persuasion in winning others to faith.
-
I Peter 4:9
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
The word underscores the call to genuine hospitality, where service is offered freely without complaint or resentment.