Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

hupogrammos - υπογραμμος (Strong's #5621)
Writing copy, example

There is only one reference of this Greek word found in the New Testament Scriptures. The inspired apostle Peter uses it when he declared, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:" (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV). Here the word "example" is from the Greek word υπογραμμον (Strong's #5261) accusative singular of υπογραμμος. This is a compound word from the preposition υπο (Strongs #5259) "under," and γραμμα (Strongs #1125) "to write;" thus, literally "to write under."^F1 The Greek Lexical authorities state its meaning is "a copy to write after, and metaphorically, an example for imitation, pattern;"^F2 "a piece of calligraphy, a copy, for children to imitate; hence, a model, a type, which has to be followed;"^F3 "to trace letters for copying;"^F4 "a writing copy, hence, an example."^F5 Christ's life in general is not what is here presented by way of example, but the patience that He demonstrated in the midst of unjustifiable sufferings.^F6 More references to Christ's self-abasement in suffering and death can be found in the following Scriptures (Phillippians 2:5-8; John 13:1-15; 15:12-14; 1 John 3:16; Hebrews 12:2,3). In 1 John 2:6 Christ is presented as an example in the more general sense.

The word translated "example" in our text is thus a figure of speech, suggested by the tried and true copybook method of teaching penmanship, where one traces letters for copying. Thus, through the original Greek language we see in this word a copybook like every student uses when learning to write. At the top of the page a specimen of beautiful numbers and letters are flawlessly penned. The page is a white, spotless sheet of paper prior to the student's effort to transcribe the copy. Every student has experienced the awkward attempts in the beginning to duplicate properly the writing at the top of the page, but it takes persistent determination and constant repetitive practice before success is achieved. How much more vividly does the beauty of the original "God-Breathed Writings" (2 Timothy 3:16 YLT) illustrate the meaning in Peter's statement!

The application the apostle wanted his audience to draw is obvious and appropriate. Jesus is the beautiful writing at the top of the page. He is our copy-head, "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree..." (1 Peter 2:22-24 NKJV). Peter further illustrates that the life we live and the sufferings we endure should represent our efforts to copy Christ. This is portrayed in the manner of how we have conducted ourselves as God's children and the degree of success we have attained in our attempt. The apostle concludes, "...that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:24-25 NKJV).

There is a vast difference between our meager, inadequate attempts to imitate Christ and the perfect example that He is. Jesus, in the context we are studying, is described as our "Shepherd and Overseer" who guides us by His example of righteousness even through unjust persecution and suffering. We are the sheep lost in the bleak sinful world without His direction. Just as the young penman remains steadfast in the initial slow, arduous and awkward efforts of his labors to master the copy-head, so the Lord's children must "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God," (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV) "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). The rational student does not throw aside his pen in despair and profess he cannot learn to write after completing his first, clumsy and imperfect attempts. He recognizes that with practice comes proficiency, and that eventually he will attain to a degree of success impossible to him in the beginning. The level of expertise he attains will be largely due to how closely he continues to look to the copy-head for guidance. Peter states that Jesus left you an "example that you should follow in his steps." We follow the steps of Jesus by steadfastly walking daily in the light and truth of His Holy Word (John 17:17; 1 John 1:7); continuing to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 NKJV); "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13 NKJV); "receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9 NKJV).

FOOTNOTES:
F1: Abbot-Smith, G. D.D, D.C.L., LL.D., A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1936).
F2: Bagster, Samuel, The Analytical Greek Lexicon (London: Samuel Bagster and Son, 1852).
F3: Souter, Alexander M.A.,, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (London, Oxford University Press, 1916).
F4: Abbot-Smith, G. D.D, D.C.L., LL.D., A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1936).
F5: Thayer, Joseph Henry D.D., Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1901).
F6: Huther, Joh Ed, TH.D., Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the General Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1883).

Copyright Statement
'Greek Thoughts' Copyright © Rick Calvert. 'Greek Thoughts' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with a link to http://www.studylight.org/col/ds/ 2) 'Greek Thoughts' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.