Greek word · G2881

Κορίνθιος

korinthios

Corinthian

Greek for people of Corinth, here in the form used for direct address. It describes them by their city rather than by a title such as 'brothers' or 'beloved'.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κορίνθιος, -α, -ον

Corinthian; as subst., ὁ Κ., a Corinthian: Acts 18:8 27:1-44 (WH, txt., R, omit), 2 Corinthians 6:11; 1Co, 2Co, tit.†

(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 2 Corinthians 6:11

Range of meaning

Greek for people of Corinth, here in the form used for direct address. It describes them by their city rather than by a title such as 'brothers' or 'beloved'.

Against the English

KJV's 'O [ye] Corinthians' and YLT's 'O Corinthians' add an 'O' that is not in the Greek, although they do capture some of the emotional force. NLT's 'dear Corinthian friends' supplies warmth that the bare word does not state. BSB, ESV and WEB keep it plain.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul rarely addresses his readers by community name. The usual comparisons are Galatians 3:1 ('O foolish Galatians!'), in frustration, and Philippians 4:15 ('you Philippians'), in shared memory. His usual address is 'brothers' (adelphoi).

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 18:8 Κορινθίων Corinthians

    Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.

    Here: People of Corinth. After the synagogue leader, the wording seems to widen to the general, mostly Gentile population of the city (compare v. 6, 'I will go to the Gentiles').

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Κορίνθιοι, Corinthians,

    We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.

    Here: A direct call by name, which Paul rarely does in his letters. Set in the middle of the sentence, it works like a speaker stopping to look the audience in the eye.

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