ψυχήpsychḗ
breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from G4151 (πνεῦμα), which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from G2222 (ζωή), which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew H05315, H07307 and H02416)
Greek (New Testament) · G5590
Meanings
1. breath (Lat. anima), breath of life, life: Matthew 6:25, Mark 3:4, Mark 10:45, Luke 12:22, John 10:11, Acts 20:10, Acts 20:24, 2 Corinthians 1:23, Philippians 2:30, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, and elsewhere
2. the soul
(a) as the seat of the will, desires and affections: Matthew 26:38, Mark 12:30 (LXX) Mark 14:34, Luke 1:46, John 10:24, Acts 14:2, Philippians 1:27, and elsewhere; ἐκ ψυχῆς, from the heart, heartily: Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:23
(b) as a periphrasis for person or self: Matthew 11:29, Mark 8:36, Acts 2:41, Romans 2:9, 1 Peter 3:20, and elsewhere; πᾶσα ψ., Acts 2:43, Acts 3:23 (LXX), Romans 13:1; ψ. ζῶσα (ζωῆς), 1 Corinthians 15:45, Revelation 16:3
(c) as the object of divine grace and eternal salvation: Hebrews 13:17, James 1:21, James 5:20, 1 Peter 1:9, 22, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Peter 4:19, 3 John 1:2.
Synonyms
see νοῦς, πνεῦμα, ψυχικός, and cf. ICC on 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Lft., Notes, 88 f.
Same root
- ψύχωpsýchō · G5594to breathe (voluntarily but gently, thus differing on the one hand from G4154 (πνέω), which denotes properly a forcible respiration; and on the other from the base of G109 (ἀήρ), which refers properly to an inanimate breeze), i.e. (by implication, of reduction of temperature by evaporation) to chill (figuratively)
- ἰσόψυχοςisópsychos · G2473of similar spirit
- σύμψυχοςsýmpsychos · G4861co-spirited, i.e. similar in sentiment
- δίψυχοςdípsychos · G1374two-spirited, i.e. vacillating (in opinion or purpose)
- ψυχικόςpsychikós · G5591sensitive, i.e. animate (in distinction on the one hand from G4152 (πνευματικός), which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from G5446 (φυσικός), which is the lower or bestial nature)
- ἄψυχοςápsychos · G895lifeless, i.e. inanimate (mechanical)
- εὐψυχέωeupsychéō · G2174to be in good spirits, i.e. feel encouraged
Where it appears
Appears 103 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 2:20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”
- Matthew 6:25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
- Matthew 10:28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Matthew 10:39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
- Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Matthew 12:18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
See every passage
- Matthew 2:20, 6:25, 10:28, 10:39, 11:29, 12:18, 16:25, 16:26, 20:28, 22:37, 26:38
- Mark 3:4, 8:35, 8:36, 8:37, 10:45, 12:30, 14:34
- Luke 1:46, 2:35, 6:9, 9:24, 10:27, 12:19, 12:20, 12:22, 12:23, 14:26, 17:33, 21:19
- John 10:11, 10:15, 10:17, 10:24, 12:25, 12:27, 13:37, 13:38, 15:13
- Acts 2:27, 2:41, 2:43, 3:23, 4:32, 7:14, 14:2, 14:22, 15:24, 15:26, 20:10, 20:24, 27:10, 27:22, 27:37
- Romans 2:9, 11:3, 13:1, 16:4
- 1 Corinthians 15:45
- 2 Corinthians 1:23, 12:15
- Ephesians 6:6
- Philippians 1:27, 2:30
- Colossians 3:23
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 5:23
- Hebrews 4:12, 6:19, 10:38, 10:39, 12:3, 13:17
- James 1:21, 5:20
- 1 Peter 1:9, 1:22, 2:11, 2:25, 3:20, 4:19
- 2 Peter 2:8, 2:14
- 1 John 3:16
- 3 John 1:2
- Jude 1:15
- Revelation 6:9, 8:9, 12:11, 16:3, 18:13, 18:14, 20:4
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.