ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros)
eleutheros
free/freedom
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective eleutheros describes a state of being free from slavery or external constraint. In the New Testament, it appears in two distinct contexts: the civil status of a person who is not a slave, and the spiritual condition of one released from binding obligations. This dual usage allows the word to bridge social reality and theological truth, showing how physical freedom can illustrate deeper liberation.
Paul uses this contrast powerfully in Galatians 4:22–31, where he compares Hagar and Sarah to two covenants. He identifies believers as children of the freewoman, emphasizing that they are not bound by the old law but live under the promise. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 7:21–22, he encourages slaves to seek freedom if possible, yet reminds them that in Christ, a slave is a "lord's free person" and a free person is Christ's slave.
The word also addresses the source of true liberty. In John 8:36, Jesus declares that if the Son sets a person free, they are free indeed. This freedom is not merely the absence of legal bondage but release from the power of sin. Translators often render eleutheros as "free" or "at liberty," capturing both the social reality of manumission and the spiritual reality of grace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eleutheros describes a state of being free from external constraint or slavery. In the New Testament, it bridges social reality and theological truth, showing how physical freedom illustrates deeper liberation. Paul uses this contrast in Galatians 4:22-31, identifying believers as children of the freewoman, released from old laws to live under promise.
True liberty comes from Jesus Himself. In John 8:36, He declares that if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. This is not just absence of legal bondage but release from sin’s power. As 1 Corinthians 7:22 reminds us, even a slave in Christ is the Lord’s free person, and a free person is Christ’s slave.
This freedom invites us to live responsibly. 1 Peter 2:16 urges believers to live as free people, yet not using freedom for wickedness, but as God’s servants. It is a gift that calls us to love others, just as Paul became “bondage to all” to gain them (1 Cor 9:19). May this liberty in Christ shape your daily walk with grace and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- free13×
- free.3×
- free,3×
- Free2×
- free?1×
- free;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐλεύθεροι4×
- ἐλεύθερος3×
- ἐλευθέρα3×
- ἐλεύθερος,2×
- ἐλευθέρας.2×
- Ἐλεύθερος1×
- ἐλεύθεροί1×
- ἐλεύθερος;1×
- ἐλεύθερος.¶1×
- ἐλεύθεροι,1×
- ἐλευθέρων1×
- ἐλευθέρους1×
Key Verses
-
John 8:36
If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
Jesus defines true freedom as release from sin’s power, not merely social status.
-
Galatians 4:31
So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
Paul contrasts the old covenant of slavery with the new covenant of promise, identifying believers as children of the free woman.