ὄντως (ontōs)
ontōs
really
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb ontōs means "truly" or "in reality," pointing to something that is genuine rather than pretended or false. Derived from the verb for "to be," it carries the weight of factual certainty, affirming that a situation or statement corresponds exactly to how things actually are.
Its usage often serves to validate a difficult truth or a surprising event. For instance, in Luke 23:47, the Roman centurion declares Jesus innocent "in reality" after witnessing the crucifixion, while in Mark 11:32, the religious leaders admit they cannot answer John’s baptism because it was "truly" from God, despite their reluctance.
This word appears frequently in contexts where appearances might deceive. In 1 Timothy 6:19, believers are urged to lay hold of eternal life "in reality," distinguishing true spiritual possession from empty profession. It anchors the reader in concrete fact, cutting through speculation or pretense.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ontōs anchors our faith in reality rather than illusion. It translates as "really" or "indeed," confirming that what God says is true and what He does is genuine. In a world full of pretense, this adverb cuts through speculation to reveal the concrete facts of His character and promises.
When the centurion at the cross declared Jesus righteous, he used this sense of certainty. Similarly, when we are urged to honor widows who are "widows indeed," we are called to see past social labels to the genuine need and faith present in their lives. This word invites us to trust that God’s actions are not symbolic gestures but real interventions.
As you read Scripture, notice how this term validates difficult truths or surprising events. It assures us that eternal life is not a vague hope but a possession we can lay hold of now. Let this certainty ground your heart in the stable reality of Christ’s work for you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- truly3×
- indeed3×
- certainly1×
- [is] truly1×
- Indeed1×
- Certainly1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄντως10×
Key Verses
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Mark 11:32
If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
The religious leaders admit John’s ministry was truly from God, showing that even opponents can recognize divine truth when confronted with undeniable evidence.
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Luke 23:47
When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”
Though the candidate text omits the explicit adverb in some translations, the centurion’s declaration of Jesus as a righteous man serves as the primary contextual anchor for this word’s usage in Luke's account of the crucifixion.
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I Timothy 5:3
Honor widows who are widows indeed.
Paul distinguishes widows who are genuinely without support, ensuring that church resources are directed to those with real need rather than nominal status.
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I Timothy 6:19
laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
The call to lay hold of eternal life is presented as a concrete reality, not merely a future abstract concept, urging believers to secure their spiritual foundation now.