ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Onoma — Name, Authority, and Character
ὄνομα (ónoma) means “name,” whether literal or figurative, and can signify authority, character, reputation, cause, or a person.
Significado de la palabra
The primary sense is the name by which a person or thing is called. Scripture may identify someone by name, assign a name, or call a person a particular name; it can also name a written identity, as in the book of life (Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 13:8).
Figuratively, a name can stand for all that the name implies: rank, authority, character, and reputation. Thus acting “in the name” of a prophet, disciple, God, or Christ means acting by that person’s authority, behalf, or character. The name may be confessed, glorified, feared, trusted in, or brought into dishonor through blasphemy.
The term can also indicate a cause, reason, or ground (Mark 9:41), and in later Greek usage an individual person (Acts 1:15; Revelation 3:4; 11:13).
Uso en las Escrituras
The examples show both ordinary naming and the expression “by your name,” where people prophesy, cast out demons, and perform mighty works (Matthew 7:22). The disciples are listed by their names, including Simon “who is called Peter” (Matthew 10:2).
The same word is used for enduring hatred “for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22), receiving a prophet “in the name of a prophet” (Matthew 10:41), giving a drink to a disciple “in the name of a disciple” (Matthew 10:42), and the Gentiles’ hope in his name (Matthew 12:21). These phrases connect the spoken name with authority, allegiance, and the identity of the one represented.
La palabra en detalle
- G3686 ὄνομα (ónoma), “name,” is literal when used for a personal or identifying name, but it can also represent authority, character, reputation, cause, or a person. Its use “in the name” of someone is especially important in the supplied passages.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 10:22 “For my name’s sake” presents the name as the ground or reason for hatred and endurance, not merely as a label.
- Matthew 10:41 Receiving a prophet “in the name of a prophet” describes reception on the prophet’s behalf and in recognition of that identity.
- Matthew 10:42 Giving a disciple a drink “in the name of a disciple” shows that the person acts toward him on the basis of his disciple identity.
- Matthew 12:21 The statement that the Gentiles will hope in his name connects the name with the one in whom hope is placed.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does ὄνομα always mean a personal name?
No. It can mean a literal name, but figuratively it can also signify authority, character, reputation, cause, or an individual person.
What does it mean to act “in the name” of someone?
It means to act on that person’s behalf, by that person’s authority, or in accordance with the identity and character the name represents.
How is ὄνομα used in Matthew 10:22?
It appears in the phrase “for my name’s sake,” indicating that Jesus’ name is the ground or reason for enduring hatred.