ἰσότιμος (isotimos)
isotimos
equally valuable
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective isotimos describes something as being of equal value or held in equal honor. It combines words meaning "equal" and "honor," creating a term that emphasizes parity rather than mere similarity. This precise vocabulary appears only once in the New Testament, found in the second letter of Peter.
In 2 Peter 1:1, the author uses it to describe God’s promise as isotimos alongside the faith of believers. The text suggests that divine assurance carries the same weight and preciousness as the trust placed in it by those who believe. Translators often render this as "equally precious" or "of equal value," highlighting that the guarantee from God is not secondary but shares the same high status as the human response.
The rarity of this word underscores its specific theological point: the covenantal promise stands on a level playing field with the faith it elicits. It affirms that God’s commitment is not distant or lesser, but intimately connected to and equal in worth with the believer's trust.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word isotimos reminds us that God’s promises are not distant or secondary to our experience. In 2 Peter 1:1, the author describes the faith believers receive as being equally precious alongside the righteousness of our God and Savior. This means your trust is not a small, private feeling, but something held in high honor by God Himself.
When you feel unsure or unworthy, remember that the value of your faith does not depend on its size or strength. It is valued because it connects you to Christ. This equality shows that God meets us where we are, treating our simple trust with the same dignity as His own divine nature.
This truth offers deep comfort. You do not need to earn a place in God’s heart through perfect performance. Instead, you can rest in the knowledge that your faith, however small, is precious to Him and stands on equal ground with the grace He freely gives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- equally precious1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἰσότιμον1×
Key Verses
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II Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
This verse uniquely pairs 'faith' with 'righteousness' using isotimos, elevating human trust to the same high status as divine character.