πλάτος

breadth

Definition

The Greek word πλάτος (platos) primarily means 'breadth' or 'width,' referring to a physical dimension. In the New Testament, it is used literally to describe the measurement of a city in Revelation 21:16, where the New Jerusalem is described as being as wide as it is long. More significantly, it is used metaphorically in Ephesians 3:18 as part of a four-dimensional description (breadth, length, height, and depth) to help believers comprehend the vast, immeasurable love of Christ. This metaphorical usage expands its meaning beyond physical space to convey the extensive, all-encompassing nature of divine love.

Biblical Usage

πλάτος appears three times in the New Testament, exclusively in later writings (Ephesians and Revelation). In Ephesians 3:18, it is used in a profound spiritual and metaphorical sense. In Revelation, it is used twice in literal, architectural contexts: for the camp of the saints in Revelation 20:9 and for the measurement of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:16. This shows a pattern of usage moving from a common physical term to a theologically rich metaphor for divine attributes.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek root πλατ- (plat-), meaning 'broad' or 'flat.' It is related to the adjective πλατύς (platys), meaning 'broad' or 'wide.' This root is also the source of English words like 'plateau' and 'platitude,' which carry connotations of flatness or broadness. The word's core meaning of spatial extent remained consistent from classical Greek into the Koine period of the New Testament.

Semantic Range

πλάτος is theologically significant primarily through its use in Ephesians 3:18. There, as part of a fourfold dimension, it helps conceptualize the incomprehensible vastness of Christ's love. This metaphor challenges believers to grasp that God's love is not limited or narrow but is infinitely expansive, reaching to all corners of existence and human experience. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting that the biblical author chose a word of physical measurement to express a spiritual reality that defies measurement.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, precise measurement was important in construction, land surveying, and commerce. The term πλάτος would have been a common, practical word. Its use in Revelation to describe a perfect, divinely-built city (the New Jerusalem) would resonate with readers familiar with grand architectural projects, emphasizing the city's perfection and stability. The metaphorical leap in Ephesians, applying a term of physical measurement to love, would have been a striking and innovative rhetorical device.

μέτρον (metron, G3358) — a general term for 'measure' or 'standard,' focusing on quantity rather than a specific dimension like width. μῆκος (mēkos, G3372) — specifically means 'length,' the complementary dimension often paired with 'breadth' (as in Eph. 3:18 and Rev. 21:16).

Word Details

Scripture References