ἄρτιος (artios)
artios
competent
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective artios describes something that is complete, fully equipped, or perfectly fitted for its intended purpose. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in 2 Timothy 3:17, where Paul explains that Scripture serves to equip God’s people for every good work. The word emphasizes readiness and functional wholeness rather than abstract moral perfection.
Its meaning derives from the root artos, which relates to being joined or fitted together properly. This suggests a sense of structural integrity and preparedness. When applied to believers, it implies that they are not lacking in any necessary spiritual resource. The term points to a state of being fully outfitted by God’s word, ready to act with competence in their daily lives.
Translators often render artios as "complete" or "equipped," capturing the idea of thorough preparation. The context highlights that this completeness comes specifically through the teaching and guidance found in Scripture. It is a practical term, focusing on the ability to perform good works effectively because one has been properly supplied.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read that Scripture makes you artios, it does not mean you are morally flawless or free from struggle. Instead, it describes a tool that is fully sharpened and ready for its task. Think of a carpenter whose saw is perfectly fitted to the wood; the tool itself is complete in its design and function. In this sense, God’s Word provides everything necessary for your spiritual life, leaving no essential resource missing.
This completeness is practical rather than abstract. It means you are equipped for every good work, not by your own strength, but through the guidance found in the Bible. You do not need to hunt for extra wisdom or hidden secrets elsewhere. The text suggests that what you have in Scripture is sufficient for the specific duties God has placed before you.
Knowing this can bring deep relief. You are not expected to manufacture your own competence from scratch. Instead, you can rely on the fullness already provided. This assurance allows you to face daily challenges with confidence, trusting that the resources you need are already at hand in the pages of Scripture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- complete1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄρτιος1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 3:17
that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This verse defines the scope of completeness by linking it directly to readiness for 'every good work,' showing that spiritual sufficiency is functional and action-oriented.