"a happy calling, the act of pronouncing happy, Rom. 4:6, 9; self-congratulation, Gal. 4:15*"
Definition and meaning
a happy calling, the act of pronouncing happy, Rom. 4:6, 9; self-congratulation, Gal. 4:15*
In the original Greek the word is written: μακαρισμός
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
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 makarismos (G3108) across the King James Bible.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
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Common questions
Strong's G3108 (makarismos) is a Greek word that means: a happy calling, the act of pronouncing happy, Rom. 4:6, 9; self-congratulation, Gal. 4:15* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word makarismos (G3108) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3108 is makarismos, a Greek word defined as: a happy calling, the act of pronouncing happy, Rom. 4:6, 9; self-congratulation, Gal. 4:15*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
makarismos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.