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G1520 · Greek · New Testament
εἷς
Heis
Numeral / Pronoun
One

Definition

Heis is the Greek numeral 'one,' including its forms mia (feminine) and hen (neuter). It is one of the most theologically loaded words in the New Testament. It expresses monotheism ('the Lord our God, the Lord is one' — Mark 12:29), the unity of the Godhead and the church, the uniqueness of Christ's mediation ('one mediator' — 1 Timothy 2:5), and the completeness of the new creation.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Shema's declaration 'The Lord is One' (Deuteronomy 6:4) is the cornerstone of Jewish and Christian monotheism. Jesus affirms this in Mark 12:29, then adds the second commandment, linking love for God and neighbor. The New Testament extends heis theology into Christology ('one Lord' — 1 Corinthians 8:6), ecclesiology ('one body, one Spirit' — Ephesians 4:4-6), and soteriology ('one mediator' — 1 Timothy 2:5). The great prayer of John 17 — 'that they may be one (hen) as we are one' — grounds the church's unity in the intra-Trinitarian unity. All divisions in the church are thus not merely organizational problems but theological contradictions.

Key Bible Verses

Mark 12:29 The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.'
1 Corinthians 8:6 Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.

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External Resources

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