Greek word · G3063

λοιπόν

loipon

henceforth

'The rest, what remains'. As an adverb: 'from now on, henceforth', 'finally', 'as for the rest'.

Appears 13 times in 13 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

λοιπός, -ή, -όν

(λείπω), [in LXX chiefly for יָתַר, also for שְׁאָר, etc. ;]

the remaining, the rest,

1. pl., οἱ λ.: with subst., Matthew 25:11, Acts 2:37, Romans 1:13, al.; absol., Matthew 22:6, Mark 16:13, Luke 24:10, al.; οἱ λ. οἱ (B1., § 47, 8), Acts 28:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Revelation 2:24; οἱ λ. τ. ἀνθρώπων (LS, see word, ad. init.), Revelation 9:20; τὰ λ., Mark 4:19, Revelation 3:2, al.

2. Neut. sing. (accusative ref.), adverbially, τὸ λ.;

(a) for the future, henceforth: Mark 14:41, 1 Corinthians 7:29 (Lft., Notes, 232 f.), Hebrews 10:13; anarth. (Deiss., LAE, 17616, 1885, 20), Acts 27:20, 2 Timothy 4:8; τοῦ λ. (sc. χρόνου; LS, see word; M, Pr., 73; Bl., § 36, 13), Galatians 6:17, Ephesians 6:10;

(b) besides, moreover, for the rest: Philippians 3:1 4:8; anarth., 1 Corinthians 1:16 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (M, Th., in l; Lft., Notes, 51)

(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 1 Corinthians 7:29

Range of meaning

'The rest, what remains'. As an adverb: 'from now on, henceforth', 'finally', 'as for the rest'.

Against the English

BSB/WEB/ESV 'From now on' attach it to what follows. KJV 'it remaineth, that' follows the TR word order. YLT 'the time henceforth is having been shortened' attaches it backward.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used by Paul in Phil 3:1; 4:8 and 1 Thess 4:1 ('finally, as for the rest'). In 2 Tim 4:8 it means 'henceforth'. Common in Koine papyri as a transition word.

From the study of 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Range of meaning

Literally "the rest" or "what remains." Used as an adverb, it can mean (1) "finally" or "in conclusion"; (2) "as for the rest" or "furthermore"; (3) "from now on"; (4) in later Koine, a loose "so" or "well then" that moves a discussion along (BDAG).

Against the English

"Finally" (BSB, WEB, ESV) makes a modern reader expect the closing lines. The KJV's "Furthermore," YLT's "As to the rest" and the NIV's "As for other matters" show more clearly that a new main section is beginning.

How it drifted

English "finally" has narrowed to mean "lastly," as in the last item. The Greek word covers "for the rest" and works as a hinge in the letter. Paul uses the same word in Philippians 3:1 well before the end of that letter, which has led some to argue that letters were stitched together. Others simply note that the word does not mean "last."

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in papyrus letters as a word that moves from one section to the next. Paul uses it for transitions in 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 3:1 and 4:8, and 2 Thessalonians 3:1. In Hellenistic Greek (Polybius, Epictetus) it often means "so then" or "from now on."

From the study of 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Range of meaning

Literally "the remaining (thing)". As an adverb it means "for the rest", "as for what remains", "from now on", "besides", and sometimes "finally". In later Greek it can also work as a loose "so then" that marks a transition.

Against the English

"Finally" (KJV, BSB, WEB, and most modern versions) suggests to an English reader that the end is near. YLT's "As to the rest" is closer to the form.

How it drifted

"Finally" is a traditional rendering that suits some uses, such as 2 Cor 13:11. But Paul often uses loipon to turn to new material well before a letter ends: 1 Thess 4:1 opens two full chapters, and in Phil 3:1 the letter goes on for two more chapters.

Used elsewhere in the period

Papyrus letters of the period use loipon as a hinge, meaning "as for the rest" (see Moulton & Milligan). Paul uses it in 1 Cor 7:29, 2 Cor 13:11, Phil 3:1 and 4:8, and 1 Thess 4:1, and Eph 6:10 has the related tou loipou.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 26:45 λοιπὸν later on

    Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

    Here: Literally 'the rest (of the time)'. Depending on how the sentence is read it means 'from now on', 'still', or 'so then'. The supplied gloss 'later on' reflects one reading among several (see studies).

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 14:41 λοιπὸν still

    When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

    Here: In ordinary Greek of the time τὸ λοιπόν can mean "for the rest of the time," "from now on," or just "still / now then." Read with a question, it is "still." Read with a command, it is "sleep on now" or "go on sleeping."

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 27:20 λοιπὸν from then on

    When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.

1 Corinthians · 3

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:16 λοιπὸν as to the rest

    Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else.

  2. 1 Corinthians 4:2 λοιπὸν moreover

    Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

    Here: A connecting word that moves the argument on. It works like "moreover" or "well then" and does not mean "finally" here.

  3. 1 Corinthians 7:29 λοιπόν From now on

    What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;

    Here: 'What remains', or 'from now on'. It can attach backward ('the time is compressed for what remains') or forward ('from now on, let…'). Either way it looks at the short stretch still left.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Λοιπόν, Finally,

    Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

    Here: Literally "as for what remains." Paul's usual signal that he is moving to closing matters; here it really does open the letter's final lines (compare Phil 3:1, where the same word comes two chapters before the end).

Philippians · 2

  1. Philippians 3:1 λοιπόν, Finally,

    Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

    Here: Literally 'as for the rest'. In letters of the period it often just moves to a new point ('well then', 'furthermore'), as well as introducing a closing section. This matters because Paul keeps going for two more chapters.

  2. Philippians 4:8 λοιπόν, Finally,

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

    Here: 'As for the rest', 'so then', 'beyond that'. It marks a move to a new or summing-up point. It does not have to mean the letter is about to end: Paul uses the same phrase in 3:1 and keeps writing for two more chapters.

1 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Λοιπὸν Finally

    Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.

    Here: A word that moves the letter on: "as for what remains" or "now then." It does not mean the letter is about to end. Two full chapters still follow.

2 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 λοιπόν, Finally,

    Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.

    Here: With the article it means "as for the rest". It moves the letter on to its remaining business. It does not announce a closing sentence, since a whole chapter of requests and instructions follows.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 4:8 λοιπὸν From now on

    From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

    Here: Literally 'as for what remains'. The race is over (v.7). All that is left now is the prize, so it works like 'from here on' or 'all that remains is…'.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 10:13 λοιπὸν henceforth

    Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,

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