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G1118 · Greek · New Testament
γονεύς
Goneus
Noun, masculine
Parent / Father / Mother

Definition

The Greek noun goneus means a parent — either father or mother — one who has begotten offspring. Derived from ginomai (to become/be born), the word places parenthood within the framework of origin and generation. It appears about 20 times in the New Testament, most often in the context of family obligations and relationships.

Usage & Theological Significance

The New Testament consistently upholds the honor due to goneis (parents). Ephesians 6:1 commands: 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.' Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for using Corban traditions to circumvent care for parents (Mark 7:11–13). Yet He also taught that loyalty to God supersedes family loyalty when the two conflict (Luke 14:26). The theology of goneus is that parenthood is a God-given institution deserving honor, and that the parent-child relationship mirrors the relationship between God and His people.

Key Bible Verses

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
John 9:2 His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
Romans 1:30 They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.
2 Timothy 3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.

Related Words

External Resources

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