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G2123 · Greek · New Testament
εὐκοπώτερος
Eukopoteros
Adjective (comparative)
Easier, less burdensome

Definition

The Greek eukopoteros is the comparative form of eukopos (easy, from eu- + kopos, labor/toil), meaning 'easier' or 'less difficult.' It appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, always on the lips of Jesus, in the famous rhetorical questions about what is harder: 'Which is easier — to say your sins are forgiven, or to say get up and walk?' (Matthew 9:5; Mark 2:9; Luke 5:23), and 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle' (Matthew 19:24).

Usage & Theological Significance

Jesus' use of eukopoteros consistently frames questions of divine power, human impossibility, and kingdom inversion. The healing of paralysis and the forgiveness of sins are both impossible for humans — but both easy for God. The 'harder' healing (physical) is performed as proof of authority for the 'harder' spiritual act (forgiveness). The camel/needle saying inverts human categories of ease: what seems impossible to the rich (entering the kingdom) and impossible to humanity in general is possible with God. Eukopoteros marks the place where human striving ends and divine grace begins.

Key Bible Verses

Matthew 9:5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Luke 16:17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Mark 10:27 With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.

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