θεμέλιος
themelios
foundation
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe word "θεμέλιος" (themelios), with a Hebrew equivalent foundation, is a term used to convey the concept of a foundation. In the 16 instances where this word appears in the Greek texts of the Bible, it is consistently associated with something laid at the base or beginning of a structure, providing a solid base or ground for future developments. The usage of "θεμέλιος" ranges from describing physical structures, such as an architectural foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10-11), to referring to spiritual foundations, such as faith (1 Timothy 6:19) and the apostles' teaching (Luke 6:48). The significance of this word lies in its emphasis on the importance of starting with a solid or secure base in order to build something strong and enduring. This focus on the foundation as the critical first step in the process of building implies that the quality and stability of what is built upon it will largely determine the success or failure of the entire endeavor.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences across the text
He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.
Luke 6:49But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 14:29Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him,
Acts 16:26Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were loosened.
Romans 15:20yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 3:11For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble,
Ephesians 2:20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
1 Timothy 6:19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
2 Timothy 2:19However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
Hebrews 6:1Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
Hebrews 11:10For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Revelation 21:14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
Revelation 21:19The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
Revelation 21:19The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;