ἐμαυτοῦ

of myself

Definition

ἐμαυτοῦ is a reflexive pronoun meaning 'of myself,' 'myself,' or 'by myself.' It is used to refer back to the subject of the sentence, emphasizing self-reference or self-involvement in an action. In the New Testament, it often highlights personal agency, as when Jesus states He can do nothing 'from myself' (John 5:30), or personal testimony, as in 'I bear witness of myself' (John 8:14). It can also express personal conviction or decision, such as Paul determining 'in myself' to visit Rome (Romans 15:23).

Biblical Usage

This word appears 37 times, primarily in the Gospels (especially John) and the Pauline epistles. In John's Gospel, it is frequently used in Jesus' discourses to contrast His divine authority with human judgment, as in John 5:31 and 7:28. In narrative contexts, like Luke 7:7-8, it emphasizes personal agency ('I say to myself'). Paul uses it to express personal resolve or experience, such as in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 where he judges 'myself.' The usage consistently underscores subjective involvement or self-reference.

Etymology

Derived from the first-person singular pronoun ἐγώ (egō, G1473) combined with the reflexive pronoun αὐτοῦ (autou, G846), meaning 'self.' It literally means 'of myself' or 'myself,' formed by blending the personal pronoun with the reflexive element to create a compound that intensifies self-reference. This construction is common in Greek for reflexive expressions, emphasizing the subject's relation to itself.

Semantic Range

ἐμαυτοῦ is theologically significant as it appears in key passages about Jesus' identity and authority. In John 5:30-31 and 8:14, Jesus uses it to discuss His testimony, highlighting that His witness is valid not merely from Himself but from the Father, underscoring the Trinitarian relationship and the doctrine of divine testimony. It also relates to human agency and humility, as in Philippians 3:13 where Paul forgets what is behind and strains toward what is ahead, emphasizing reliance on God rather than self. Understanding this Greek term enriches Bible reading by clarifying nuances of self-reference in Christ's teachings and apostolic writings.

In ancient Greek culture, reflexive pronouns like ἐμαυτοῦ were used to emphasize individual responsibility or introspection, aligning with Hellenistic philosophical traditions that valued self-examination. However, in the biblical context, this self-reference is often subordinated to divine will, contrasting with purely autonomous Greek ideals. For example, in John 7:17-18, Jesus ties doing God's will to speaking not 'from myself,' reflecting a Jewish-Christian worldview where authority derives from God, not personal assertion.

ἐμαυτόν (emauton, G1683) — the accusative form, meaning 'myself' as the direct object; ἑαυτοῦ (heautou, G1438) — the third-person reflexive pronoun meaning 'of himself/herself/itself,' used for others, not the speaker; αὐτοῦ (autou, G846) — a simpler possessive or reflexive pronoun meaning 'of him/it,' less emphatic than ἐμαυτοῦ.

Word Details

Scripture References