"free, in a state of freedom as opposed to slavery, 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; free, exempt, Mt. 17:26; 1 Cor. 7:39; unrestricted, unfettered, 1 Cor. 9:1; free from the dominion of sin, etc., Jn. 8:36; Rom. 6:20; free in the possession of Gospel privileges, 1 Pet. 2:16"
Definition and meaning
free, in a state of freedom as opposed to slavery, 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; free, exempt, Mt. 17:26; 1 Cor. 7:39; unrestricted, unfettered, 1 Cor. 9:1; free from the dominion of sin, etc., Jn. 8:36; Rom. 6:20; free in the possession of Gospel privileges, 1 Pet. 2:16
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλεύθερος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of eleutheros (G1658) across the King James Bible.
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
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Common questions
Strong's G1658 (eleutheros) is a Greek word that means: free, in a state of freedom as opposed to slavery, 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; free, exempt, Mt. 17:26; 1 Cor. 7:39; unrestricted, unfettered, 1 Cor. 9:1; free from the dominion of sin, etc., Jn. 8:36; R... It appears 23 times in the King James Bible.
The word eleutheros (G1658) appears 23 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1658 is eleutheros, a Greek word defined as: free, in a state of freedom as opposed to slavery, 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; free, exempt, Mt. 17:26; 1 Cor. 7:39; unrestricted, unfettered, 1 Cor. 9:1. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
eleutheros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.