Greek word · G3358

μέτρον

metron

measure

A physical measuring tool, such as a vessel for grain or liquids or a rod for length. Also a quantity or portion measured out, and by extension a standard or norm (Rom 12:3; Eph 4:7, 13).

Appears 14 times in 12 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

μέτρον, -ου, τό

[in LXX chiefly for מִדָּה, also for אֵיפָה, etc. ;]

1. that which is used for measuring, a measure;

(a) a vessel: fig., Matthew 23:32, Luke 6:38; ἐκ μ., by measure, John 3:34;

(b) a rod or rule: Revelation 21:15, 17; figuratively, Matthew 7:2, Mark 4:24.

2. That which is measured, measure: with genitive of thing(s), Romans 12:3, 2 Corinthians 10:13, Ephesians 4:7, 13 4:16.†

(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 Matthew 7:2

Range of meaning

A physical measuring tool, such as a vessel for grain or liquids or a rod for length. Also a quantity or portion measured out, and by extension a standard or norm (Rom 12:3; Eph 4:7, 13).

Against the English

Modern readers hear "measure" as an abstract metaphor ("measure up," "a measure of success"). The first hearers pictured a real grain scoop or jar in the market, and the honesty or dishonesty of the person using it.

How it drifted

The concrete trade picture faded once people no longer bought grain by the measured vessel. The saying now sounds like a general rule, when it was a vivid scene from daily life.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Torah requires honest measures (Lev 19:35–36; Deut 25:13–15), and the prophets condemn rigged ones (Amos 8:5; Mic 6:10–11). Prov 20:10 says: "Differing weights and differing measures, the LORD detests both." The Mishnah states a well-known Jewish principle: "With the measure a man measures, they measure to him" (m. Sotah 1:7), which later rabbis called "measure for measure" (middah keneged middah). Similar wording appears in the Aramaic Targums. Luke 6:38 develops the grain picture: "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over." Mark 4:24 has the same saying.

From the study of John 3:34

Range of meaning

A measure: the measuring tool itself (a jar, a rod), the quantity it holds, or a limit or due proportion. The phrase ἐκ μέτρου ('out of a measure') means 'in measured amounts' or 'by ration'.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'by measure' / 'without measure' keeps the picture of measuring out, but many modern readers no longer know 'by measure' as a phrase. BSB/NIV 'without limit' makes the sense clear but loses the image of portioning from a vessel. That image matters because it contrasts with partial, apportioned gifts of the Spirit.

Used elsewhere in the period

The exact phrase ἐκ μέτρου is rare in Greek. The idea of measured rations appears in the Septuagint ('you shall drink water by measure', Ezekiel 4:11, 16, ἐν μέτρῳ, in a siege). A later rabbinic saying matches John's idea closely: 'Even the holy spirit that rests on the prophets rests only by weight', meaning some prophets received enough for one book and others for two (Leviticus Rabbah 15:2, attributed to R. Aha). That text is centuries later than John, so it shows the idea existed in Judaism, not that John drew on it.

From the study of Ephesians 4:7

Range of meaning

A measuring instrument, such as a rod or a vessel for grain or liquid; the amount measured out; a fitting proportion or limit. 'In measure' can mean 'in due proportion.' In Paul it is used for a portion God assigns: 'the measure of faith God has apportioned' (Rom 12:3) and the 'measure of the sphere' God assigned for Paul's mission (2 Cor 10:13).

Against the English

'Measure' is accurate, but to modern ears it can sound like a quantity scale on which some people get 'more grace' and are therefore better or more loved. The NIV paraphrases it as 'as Christ apportioned it,' which captures the idea of an allotted share well.

Used elsewhere in the period

Wisdom of Solomon 11:20 says God 'arranged all things by measure and number and weight,' measure as the mark of a wise ordering. Ephesians uses the word three times in this one passage: 4:7 (the measure of Christ's gift), 4:13 (the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ) and 4:16 (the working 'in measure' of each single part).

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 7:2 μέτρῳ measure

    For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

    Here: In everyday life this was a container or rod for measuring out grain, oil or cloth. As a picture it means the standard you apply to others.

  2. Matthew 23:32 μέτρον measure

    Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers.

    Here: The picture is a measuring container, like a grain measure, with a fixed capacity. The ancestors partly filled it with the blood of the prophets. When it is full, judgment follows (vv. 33–36).

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 4:24 μέτρῳ measure

    He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.

    Here: A measuring vessel, such as the container a grain merchant scoops with, and so by extension a standard or amount. The picture comes from the market and the threshing floor.

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 6:38 μέτρον μέτρῳ Measure, measure

    Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

    Here: A physical dry-measure vessel used in the grain market, not an abstract “amount.” It sets up a market scene and the measure-for-measure principle at the end of the verse.

John · 1

  1. John 3:34 μέτρου measure

    For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

    Here: A measuring vessel or the fixed quantity it holds, the way grain or water is doled out. Here it is negated: no ration and no fixed portion.

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 12:3 μέτρον a measure

    For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

    Here: Either a measured portion or a measuring standard. Greek has no article here ('a measure'). Which sense Paul means is debated.

2 Corinthians · 2

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:13 μέτρον μέτρου measure, a measure

    We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

    Here: The measured amount or extent, both the measuring tool and what it marks out. It answers 'unmeasured' directly.

Ephesians · 3

  1. Ephesians 4:7 μέτρον measure

    Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

    Here: An allotted portion, a share measured out. The point is who does the measuring (Christ) and that the shares differ. It does not rank anyone's worth. The word comes back in 4:13 and 4:16.

  2. Ephesians 4:13 μέτρον [the] measure

    until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

    Here: A measuring standard. This echoes v.7, where grace is given 'according to the measure of Christ's gift'. Christ sets the standard.

  3. Ephesians 4:16 μέτρῳ [the] measure

    From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

    Here: Echoes 4:7, where grace was given to each 'according to the measure of Christ's gift'. Each part works with its own measured share. 'Properly' is not the idea.

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 21:15 μέτρον a measuring

    The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.

    Here: 'A measure', here the measuring tool itself. It stands beside 'reed' to explain it: the reed is a measuring reed. The same word returns in v.17 ('a human measure, which is an angel's').

  2. Revelation 21:17 μέτρον [the] measure

    And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits, by the human measure the angel was using.

    Here: Here it means the standard or unit used: the measurement was taken by an ordinary human scale. Grammatically it stands beside the measurement as an explanation of it.

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