ἄρρητος (arrētos)
arrētos
inexpressible
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective arrētos describes something that cannot be expressed in words. It literally means "unspoken" or "unsaid," formed by a negative prefix attached to a root meaning "to speak." In Scripture, this word appears only once, in 2 Corinthians 12:4, where Paul recounts a vision so profound that he was commanded not to share its details.
This rare usage highlights the gap between divine experience and human language. The sources note that the term often carries a sense of sacredness, implying that some realities are too holy or vast to be captured by ordinary speech. Rather than indicating silence out of secrecy, it points to a limitation of expression when faced with the extraordinary.
Translators typically render arrētos as "inexpressible" or "unspeakable." This choice preserves the weight of the original Greek, reminding readers that certain spiritual encounters transcend verbal description. The word stands as a quiet acknowledgment that not all truth fits within the bounds of human vocabulary.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
There are moments in life when language simply fails us. The Greek word arrētos captures this reality perfectly, describing experiences that are too vast or holy to be put into words. It reminds us that our human vocabulary has limits, especially when we encounter the profound depths of God’s presence.
In 2 Corinthians 12:4, Paul describes a vision so deep he could not share its details. This is not about hiding secrets, but acknowledging that some spiritual encounters transcend what we can say. It invites us to rest in the mystery of faith, trusting that God meets us even when we have no words left.
You do not need to find the perfect phrases to connect with Him. Sometimes silence is the most honest prayer. This word encourages you to embrace the quiet moments where God’s peace fills the spaces your words cannot reach.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- inexpressible1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄρρητα1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 12:4
how he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
This verse uses arrētos to describe divine revelations so profound that Paul was commanded to keep them silent, highlighting the limitation of human language before God's glory.