ἑρμηνεία (hermēneia)
hermēneia
interpretation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hermēneia refers to the act of interpreting or explaining something that is not immediately clear. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both within Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. It describes the process of making spoken gifts understandable to a gathered community.
Its meaning is closely tied to the verb hermēneuō, which means to translate or interpret. While the word can simply mean translation, in these specific verses it carries the weight of spiritual explanation. Paul uses it to describe how tongues are to be rendered into intelligible speech so that the whole church may be built up.
This term highlights the importance of clarity in worship. For Paul, a gift is only valuable if it can be interpreted and understood by others. The focus is not on the mystery of the utterance itself, but on its communication to the community for their common good.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hermēneia points to the act of making something clear so that others can understand it. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. It describes how spiritual gifts, like speaking in unknown languages, need to be explained so the whole community benefits. Without interpretation, a gift remains private and does not build up the body of believers.
This concept reminds us that clarity is essential for connection. When we share insights or experiences, our goal should be to ensure others can grasp their meaning. Paul emphasizes that gifts are valuable only when they communicate truth effectively. This encourages us to seek understanding and to help others understand what God is saying through us.
In worship and daily life, hermēneia calls us to bridge gaps between mystery and comprehension. It invites us to value communication that edifies rather than confuses. By focusing on clarity, we create spaces where faith can grow together, fostering unity and mutual encouragement within the community of believers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- interpretation1×
- an interpretation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑρμηνείαν1×
- ἑρμηνεία1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 12:10
and to another workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of languages, and to another the interpretation of languages.
This verse lists hermēneia as a distinct spiritual gift alongside prophecy and miracles, showing it is a specific ability given by the Spirit to make tongues understandable.
-
I Corinthians 14:26
What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
Here Paul instructs that if someone speaks in a tongue during gathering, an interpretation must follow so that the church may be built up, highlighting the communal purpose of the gift.