Greek word · G197

ἀκριβέστερον

akribesteron

stricter

From ἀκριβής, 'exact, precise, strict'. The adverb ἀκριβῶς means 'accurately, carefully, exactly'. The comparative form means 'more exactly / more precisely'. When it describes speaking or investigating, it means careful precision.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀκριβῶς

adv. (ἀκριβής), [in LXX: Deuteronomy 19:18 (יָטַב), Daniel 7:19 (יְצֵב), Ezekiel 39:14, Wisdom of Solomon 19:18, Sirach 18:29 ;]

with exactness, carefully: Matthew 2:8, Luke 1:3, Acts 18:25, Ephesians 5:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (M, Th., in l). Compar., ἀκριβέστερον (Milligan, NTD, 111; MM, VGT, see word), Acts 18:26 23:15, 20 24:22.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 18:26

Range of meaning

From ἀκριβής, 'exact, precise, strict'. The adverb ἀκριβῶς means 'accurately, carefully, exactly'. The comparative form means 'more exactly / more precisely'. In other places it can mean strict observance, as in Acts 26:5, 'the strictest party' (the superlative), which is where the supplied gloss 'stricter' comes from. When it describes speaking or investigating, it means careful precision.

Against the English

BSB, WEB, ESV, NASB and NLT say 'more accurately'. KJV says 'more perfectly', which in 1611 meant 'more completely/thoroughly' but now suggests 'flawlessly'. NIV says 'more adequately', which is acceptable but breaks the verbal link with v. 25. YLT's 'more exactly' is closest to the Greek.

How it drifted

Modern 'perfect' has narrowed to mean 'without any fault'. In older English it still carried the sense of Latin perfectus, 'completed, carried through'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke opens his Gospel with the same family of words: he has followed everything 'accurately' (ἀκριβῶς, Luke 1:3) so that Theophilus may know the 'certainty' of what he was taught. Greek historians such as Thucydides (1.22) use akrib- words for careful, exact accounts. The Vulgate here has diligentius, 'more carefully'.

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 4

  1. Acts 18:26 ἀκριβέστερον more accurately

    And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

    Here: The comparative of the word Luke used in v. 25, where Apollos taught 'accurately' (akribōs). They laid things out 'more accurately'. The comparison assumes his teaching was already accurate as far as it went; they added precision and completeness.

  2. Acts 23:15 ἀκριβέστερον more earnestly

    Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”

  3. Acts 23:20 ἀκριβέστερον more earnestly

    He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

  4. Acts 24:22 ἀκριβέστερον more precisely

    Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.