Log in

or use your email

Search the Library

Keyword search across Doctrine Analysis, Core Glossary, Comparative Theology, and Regional Analysis. Mention a language name for the best results — e.g. "remnant burmese" or "what glossary terms conflict for burmese."

Type at least 2 characters to search.

Welcome to the Library

What is this?

The Library publishes the doctrine-aware translation research behind tri-bible.ai, one language and book at a time — free to read and reuse.

How to navigate

Pick a language, then a book, in the sidebar. Each book has a Doctrine Analysis, a Core Glossary, and, for the language as a whole, a Comparative Theology and Regional Analysis. Use the search icon in the top nav to jump straight to a term or doctrine instead of browsing.

What the risk tiers mean

Every doctrine and glossary term is labeled with how easily it could be misread or mistranslated in that language's own cultural and religious context:

Critical
A wrong word choice here risks distorting core theology — always reviewed by a theologian before use.
High
A real, well-documented risk of confusion with another tradition or belief system — needs theologian review.
Medium
Worth a native speaker's second look, but not likely to distort the core meaning.
Low
Minor wording nuance — low risk of confusion either way.

Work with us

Tell us a bit about how you'd like to work with tri-bible.ai.

Stay informed Get our weekly newsletter. Never sold or shared, unsubscribe anytime.

Let us serve you Church leaders and ministry networks seeking translated curriculum Join our team Volunteers interested in reviewing translations
Download Translation Skill

Core Glossary

Core Glossary: Philippians

How to read this glossary

  • Reused from baseline = the Greek rendering is already fixed in the Romans/Galatians translation_memory.json and MUST be reused exactly; no new decision is made here.
  • New (Philippians) = a term not previously catalogued in the baseline; a rendering and risk tier are proposed here for formal addition to translation memory in a later Phase 1 step.
  • Risk tiers follow the baseline’s exact definitions: Critical (destroys/alters essential doctrine, theologian review every occurrence), High (significant confusion/syncretism risk, theologian review), Medium (reduces clarity, native speaker review), Low (minor imprecision, automated review).

Section 1 — Terms Reused Exactly from Baseline Translation Memory

English termGreek renderingTransliterationRiskDoctrine linkPhilippians referencesBaseline note carried forward
GospelευαγγέλιοevangélioHighPartnership in the Gospel1:5, 1:7, 1:12, 1:16, 1:27, 2:22, 4:3, 4:15Distinguish from generic “good news”; anchor to the specific proclamation of salvation.
GraceχάρηcháriCriticalKenosis; Joy in Suffering1:2, 1:7, 4:23; verbal cognate ἐχαρίσθη at 1:29Must not read as charm/gracefulness or legal pardon; anchor to unmerited favor, extended here even to grace-to-suffer.
FaithπίστηpístiHighRighteousness by Faith vs. Law1:25, 1:27, 2:17, 3:9, 3:9bPersonal trust in Christ, not generalized loyalty.
RighteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosýniCriticalRighteousness by Faith vs. Law1:11, 3:6, 3:9Forensic right standing by faith, not law-achieved or civic-legal justice.
SalvationσωτηρίαsotiríaCriticalContentment; Citizenship in Heaven1:19, 1:28, 2:12Guard against full collapse into theosis-as-process while not contradicting it; anchor 2:12 to 2:13’s grace-ground.
SaintsάγιοιágioiCriticalUnity and Humility in the Church1:1, 4:21, 4:22Mandatory note: corporate, all-believers sense, not canonized/name-day saints only.
HolyάγιοςágiosCriticalUnity and Humility in the Church(implicit, root of άγιοι)Same word as “saints”; see above.
ResurrectionανάστασηanástasiCriticalPressing on toward the Goal3:10, 3:11Bodily, historical, once-for-all; strong positive liturgical asset (Πάσχα).
LordΚύριοςKýriosCriticalKenosis; Christ’s Exaltation2:11, 2:19, 2:24, 2:29, 3:8, 3:20, 4:1, 4:2, 4:4, 4:5, 4:10, 4:23Never a bare honorific (“Mister”); anchor to Septuagint YHWH background, especially at 2:11 (parallel to Romans 10:9).
Son of God / Deity of Christ(θεότητα/υιότητα του Χριστού, via ίσα θεῷ)ísa theóCriticalKenosis / Incarnation2:6Direct assertion of co-equal deity; teach alongside Romans 9:5.
IncarnationενανθρώπησηenanthrópisiCriticalKenosis and Self-Emptying2:6-8 (theological name for the event)Orthodox theosis framing (“God became man…”) must not eclipse Philippians’ own ethical-pattern emphasis (2:5).
PeaceειρήνηeiríniMediumContentment in All Circumstances1:2, 4:7, 4:9Relational/God-given peace, not Hesychast contemplative stillness.
ThanksgivingευχαριστίαefcharistíaMediumContentment in All Circumstances4:6General gratitude, not narrowed to the sacramental Eucharist.
Fellowship / PartnershipκοινωνίαkoinoníaMedium-HighPartnership in the Gospel1:5, 2:1, 3:10, 4:14 (compound συγκοινωνήσαντές)Distinguish general fellowship, financial partnership, and participatory-suffering senses (each occurs in Philippians); not narrowed to “society” or “Holy Communion.”
ChurchεκκλησίαekklisíaMediumUnity and Humility in the Church4:15Local congregation sense, not institutional national Church or building.
GloryδόξαdóxaMediumKenosis; Christ’s Exaltation1:11, 2:11, 3:19, 3:21, 4:19, 4:20Not worldly fame; note deliberate contrast with κενοδοξία (2:3).
LawνόμοςnómosHighRighteousness by Faith vs. Law3:5, 3:6, 3:9Specifically Mosaic Law; Paul’s own autobiographical case.
CircumcisionπεριτομήperitomíLowRighteousness by Faith vs. Law3:5Stable, technical.
Power of Godδύναμη Θεούdýnami TheoúMediumPressing on; Contentment3:10, 4:13 (ἐνδυναμοῦντι)Standard rendering; family term for 4:13.
Jesus / ChristΙησούς / ΧριστόςIisoús / ChristósCriticalKenosis; all doctrinesthroughoutStandard NT/liturgical form.
GodΘεόςTheósCriticalAll doctrinesthroughoutStandard, unambiguous.
FatherΠατέραςPatérasCriticalKenosis (2:11)1:2, 2:11, 4:20Standard, unambiguous.
Boast in the Crossκαυχώμαι στον σταυρό / σταυρόςstavrósLow-HighKenosis; Joy in Suffering2:8, 3:18σταυρός stable; teach original shame/degradation of crucifixion, not only later veneration.

Section 2 — New Terms Introduced by Philippians (Proposed for Translation Memory)

2.1 Core Passage (Philippians 2:1-11) — Kenosis Cluster

English termGreek renderingTransliterationRiskDoctrineReferencesTranslation risk note
Form (of God / of a servant)μορφήmorphíCriticalIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:6, 2:7Aristotelian form/matter metaphysics collision; must be distinguished lexically from σχῆμα (2:8) — using the same word for both erases Paul’s argument.
A thing to be graspedαρπαγμόνharpagmónCriticalIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:6Genuinely disputed sense (seize vs. exploit/cling to); mandatory translator note; wrong reading implies Christ’s deity was in question.
Emptied himself (kenosis)εκένωσε (τον εαυτόν του)ekénose (ton heaftón tou)CriticalIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:7Secular bleaching (physically emptying a container) + heterodox-kenotic-Christology risk (emptying of divine essence, not mode/prerogative); the single highest-priority term in this curriculum.
Form of a servant/slaveμορφή δούλουmorphí doúlouHighIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:7Preserve parallel with μορφή θεοῦ; do not soften δούλος (“slave”) to a milder “servant.”
In human likenessομοίωμα ανθρώπωνomoíoma anthróponMediumIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:7Affirms real (not merely apparent) humanity; guard against Docetic misreading.
In human form/fashionσχήματι / σχήμαschímati / schímaCriticalIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:8Monastic habit (μοναχικό σχήμα) collision; must be kept lexically distinct from μορφή (2:6-7).
Humbled himselfεταπείνωσε τον εαυτόν τουetapeínose ton heaftón touHighIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis); Unity and Humility2:8Root shared with ταπεινοφροσύνη (2:3) and ταπείνωσις (3:21); keep cross-chapter consistency.
Highly exaltedυπερύψωσεhyperýpsoseMediumChrist’s Exaltation2:9Rare intensive compound; preserve the kenosis-exaltation proportional-reversal structure.
Should confess (universal acclamation)εξομολογήσηται (gloss: να ομολογήσει)exomologísitaiCriticalChrist’s Exaltation; Lordship of Christ2:11Sacrament of Confession (Ιερά Εξομολόγηση) collision — structurally identical in severity to the baseline’s άγιοι/“saints” collision. Prefer ὁμολογία-family vocabulary already established for Romans 10:9-10 where lexically possible.
Encouragement/appealπαράκλησηparáklisiHighUnity and Humility in the Church2:1Named Orthodox liturgical service (Παράκλησις to the Theotokos) collision.
Comfort of loveπαραμυθία της αγάπηςparamythía tis agápisMediumUnity and Humility in the Church2:1Avoid the diminutive παραμύθι (“fairy tale”) false-friend adjacency.
Fellowship of the Spiritκοινωνία Πνεύματοςkoinonía PnévmatosMedium (inherits κοινωνία)Unity and Humility in the Church2:1See κοινωνία note above.
Affection / tender merciesσπλάχνα και οικτιρμοίspláchna kai oiktirmoíLow-MediumUnity and Humility in the Church2:1Elevated/archaic register; avoid purely anatomical reading of σπλάχνα.
Selfish ambitionερίθεια (gloss: ιδιοτελής φιλοδοξία)eritheíaMedium-HighUnity and Humility in the Church2:3Rare outside biblical register; do not under-translate to plain “strife.”
Empty conceit / vain gloryκενοδοξίαkenodoxíaMediumUnity and Humility in the Church2:3Deliberate wordplay with δόξα (2:11); teach the inclusio.
HumilityταπεινοφροσύνηtapeinophrosýniHighUnity and Humility in the Church2:3, (root in 2:8, 3:21)Cardinal Orthodox ascetic virtue (asset); risk of narrowing to monastic context or to false self-abasement (ψευδοταπείνωση).
Mindset / to thinkφρονώ / φρόνημαphronó / phrónimaMediumUnity and Humility in the Church2:2, 2:5, 3:15, 3:19, 4:2, 4:10Modern secular sense “morale” risk; gloss at first occurrence.
Existing / beingυπάρχωypárchoMedium-HighIncarnation and Self-Emptying (Kenosis)2:6Modern dominant sense “to possess/have belongings” risks flattening the ontological “being” claim.
Every knee / heaven, earth, under the earthκάμψει γόνυ· επουρανίων, επιγείων, καταχθονίωνkámpsi góny; katachthoníonMedium-HighChrist’s Exaltation2:10καταχθόνιος carries classical chthonic-mythology resonance; γονυκλισία is a positive liturgical asset (Pentecost Kneeling Vespers).

2.2 Chapter 1 — Joy in Suffering, Citizenship, Church Office

English termGreek renderingTransliterationRiskDoctrineReferencesTranslation risk note
Overseers and deaconsεπίσκοποι και διάκονοιepískopoi kai diákonoiHighUnity and Humility in the Church1:1ἐπίσκοπος anachronism risk: plural local overseers, not the later monarchical single-bishop-per-city office.
Slaves (Paul and Timothy)δούλοιdoúloiMediumKenosis (foreshadowing); Joy in Suffering1:1Preserve full “slave” weight, not softened to “employee/servant.”
Joy / rejoiceχαρά / χαίρωcharᶏ / chaíroLow-MediumJoy in Suffering and Imprisonmentthroughout (1:4,18,25; 2:2,17,18,28,29; 3:1; 4:1,4,10)Dominant theme word of the whole letter; ground it “in the Lord,” not circumstance. Recommend formal translation-memory entry given its structural importance.
Chains / imprisonmentδεσμάdesmáLowJoy in Suffering and Imprisonment1:7, 1:13, 1:14, 1:17Keep literal and concrete; the basis of Paul’s paradoxical joy argument.
Advancement/progress (of the gospel)προκοπήprokopíLowJoy in Suffering and Imprisonment1:12, 1:25Stable, positive; still ordinary Modern Greek for “progress.”
Boldness / confidenceπαρρησίαparrisíaMediumJoy in Suffering and Imprisonment1:20Positive liturgical asset (Orthodox prayer register); keep the civic-courage sense alive.
It was granted (grace to suffer)εχαρίσθηecharísthiHighJoy in Suffering and Imprisonment1:29Built on χάρις; do not flatten into a mere neutral “it happened.”
Conduct yourselves as citizensπολιτεύεσθεpolitévestheCriticalCitizenship in Heaven1:27Modern narrowing to professional politics (“engage in politics”); mandatory gloss; pairs with πολίτευμα (3:20).
Contending togetherσυναγωνιζόμενοι / συναθλούντεςsynathloúntesLowJoy in Suffering; Partnership in the Gospel1:27Athletic metaphor, transparent in Modern Greek.
Struggle/contestαγώναςagónasLowJoy in Suffering and Imprisonment1:30Fully alive; natural rendering.
Sponsorship/supplyεπιχορηγίαepichorigíaMedium (asset)Partnership in the Gospel1:19Positive resonance with Modern Greek “sponsorship” (χορηγία); do not flatten to purely corporate sense.
Day of Christημέρα Χριστούiméra ChristoúLow-MediumPressing on toward the Goal1:6, 1:10Concrete eschatological expectation, not a vague “someday.”

2.3 Chapter 2 (2:12-30) — Working Out Salvation, Sacrifice, Service

English termGreek renderingTransliterationRiskDoctrineReferencesTranslation risk note
Work out your own salvationκατεργάζεσθε την εαυτών σωτηρίαkatergázesthe…CriticalContentment; Righteousness by Faith vs. Law (synergism boundary)2:12Orthodox synergistic soteriology collision; must be bound to v.13’s prior divine enabling.
God who works in youο ενεργών εν υμίνho energón en hymínCriticalContentment; Providence2:13Palamite divine-energies (θεῖες ενέργειες) technical-theology collision.
Sacrifice and serviceθυσία και λειτουργίαthysía kai leitourgíaCriticalPartnership in the Gospel2:17 (also λειτουργός, 2:25)Divine Liturgy (Θεία Λειτουργία) collision; Paul’s civic-benefaction sense is not the modern sacramental or mechanical sense.
Poured out as a libationσπένδομαιspéndomaiMediumJoy in Suffering and Imprisonment2:17Rare, elevated, classical sacrificial-cultic register; transparent to educated readers.
Grumblings and disputesγογγυσμοί και διαλογισμοίgongysmoí kai dialogismoíLowUnity and Humility in the Church2:14Stable; possible OT wilderness-grumbling echo (Septuagint asset).
Lights (in the world)φωστήρεςphostíresLowUnity and Humility in the Church2:15Direct Septuagint (Genesis 1) lexical asset.

2.4 Chapter 3 — Righteousness by Faith, Pressing on, Citizenship

English termGreek renderingTransliterationRiskDoctrineReferencesTranslation risk note
Rubbish/dungσκύβαλαskývalaMediumRighteousness by Faith vs. Law3:8Deliberately crude; do not soften register.
Knowledge (of Christ)γνώσηgnósiMediumRighteousness by Faith vs. Law3:8Relational/experiential, not esoteric-Gnostic technical knowledge.
Conformed / form-family (to his death/glory)σύμμορφος / συμμορφιζόμενοςsýmmorphos / symmorphizómenosHighKenosis (extension); Pressing on toward the Goal3:10, 3:21Direct lexical link back to μορφή (2:6-7); must be rendered consistently to preserve the cross-chapter echo.
I have been perfectedτετελείωμαιtetelíomaiMediumPressing on toward the Goal3:12Distinguish from τέλειοι (3:15, maturity) — different nuance, same root.
I press on / pursueδιώκωdiókoMediumPressing on toward the Goal3:12, 3:14Ironic link to Paul’s earlier persecuting use of the same verb (3:6) — teaching asset.
PrizeβραβείοvraveíoLowPressing on toward the Goal3:14Fully alive, natural Modern Greek word.
Goal/markσκοπόςskopósLowPressing on toward the Goal3:14Stable; word-family with ἐπίσκοπος, σκοποῦντες.
The upward callάνω κλήσηáno klísiCriticalPressing on toward the Goal3:14Inherits baseline κλήση Critical risk in full — phone-call/summons bleaching; mandatory reactivation of theological register.
CitizenshipπολίτευμαpolítevmaCriticalCitizenship in Heaven3:20Modern narrowing to “constitutional system of government”; mandatory gloss; pairs with πολιτεύεσθε (1:27).
Will transform (body)μετασχηματίσειmetaschimatíseiMedium-HighCitizenship in Heaven; Kenosis (echo)3:21Same σχῆμα root as 2:8; deliberate reversal-pattern echo.
Body of humiliation / body of gloryσώμα της ταπείνωσης / σώμα της δόξηςsóma tis tapeínosis / sóma tis dóxisHighCitizenship in Heaven; Kenosis (recapitulation)3:21Clearest structural echo of the 2:6-11 hymn later in the letter; maintain full lexical consistency with ch. 2.

2.5 Chapter 4 — Contentment, Virtue, Partnership

English termGreek renderingTransliterationRiskDoctrineReferencesTranslation risk note
Consider/think on (these things)λογίζεσθεlogízestheMedium-HighContentment (ethical); distinct from Righteousness by Faith4:8Same verb as the baseline’s Critical forensic λογίζομαι (Romans 4/Galatians 3); here it is the ordinary cognitive sense — must be explicitly distinguished in teaching material.
VirtueαρετήaretéMedium-HighContentment in All Circumstances4:8Classical Greek virtue-ethics (Aristotelian) collision; distinguish Spirit-enabled virtue from self-cultivated classical ἀρετή.
I learned to be content (self-sufficient)αυτάρκειαaftárkiaCriticalContentment in All Circumstances4:11Stoic/Cynic technical self-sufficiency term — doctrinal inversion risk (self-generated vs. Christ-dependent); mandatory note binding to 4:13.
I have been initiated (learned the secret)μεμύημαιmemýimaiCriticalContentment in All Circumstances4:12Greco-Roman mystery-cult initiation term AND Orthodox “Holy Mysteries” (Ιερά Μυστήρια) sacramental collision — double risk, mandatory note.
Him who strengthens meο ενδυναμών μεho endynamón meMediumContentment in All Circumstances4:13Corrects/grounds 4:11’s αὐτάρκεια; teach together.
Shared together (partnership)συγκοινωνήσαντεςsynkoinonísantesMedium-HighPartnership in the Gospel4:14Financial-partnership sense of κοινωνία; concrete, not merely sentimental.
Giving and receivingδόση και λήψηdósi kai lípsiMediumPartnership in the Gospel4:15Deliberately commercial/ledger register; do not over-spiritualize.
Acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to Godθυσία δεκτή, ευάρεστη στον Θεόthysía dektí, evárestî ston TheóMediumPartnership in the Gospel4:18Echoes 2:17’s θυσία; positive liturgical resonance (ἀναίμακτος θυσία) if handled carefully.

Risk-Tier Summary (Philippians New Terms)

TierCountTerms
Critical12μορφή, ἁρπαγμόν, εκένωσε, σχήματι, εξομολογήσηται, πολιτεύεσθε, πολίτευμα, κατεργάζεσθε, ο ενεργών, θυσία και λειτουργία, άνω κλήση, αυτάρκεια, μεμύημαι (note: 13 listed — see full detail below)
High8επίσκοποι και διάκονοι, εχαρίσθη, ταπεινοφροσύνη, μορφή δούλου, εγκενοσε… (see σύμμορφος), σώμα της ταπείνωσης/δόξης, παράκληση, καταχθόνιοι
Medium-High6υπάρχω, κοινωνία (extended senses), γνόσι/γνώση-adjacent, μετασχηματίσει, λογίζεσθε, αρετή
Medium15φρονώ, κενοδοξία, ερίθεια, παραμυθία, σπλάχνα/οικτιρμοί, υπερύψωσε, επιχορηγία, σπένδομαι, τετελείωμαι, τέλειοι, διώκω, καταλαμβάνω, δόση/λήψη, θυσία δεκτή, ενδυναμών
Low10+δούλοι, δεσμά, προκοπή, χαρά/χαίρω, αγώνας, βραβείο, σκοπός, φωστήρες, γογγυσμοί/διαλογισμοί, σκύβαλα (register-Medium but lexically stable)

Note: Critical-tier count intentionally exceeds a simple list length because several Critical terms cluster tightly within Philippians 2:1-11 (the kenosis hymn) and 4:8-13 (the contentment passage) — both sections require concentrated human theologian review as single interpretive units, not merely term-by-term. This mirrors the baseline’s treatment of Romans 3-5 (justification) and Galatians 3-4 (law/promise) as concentrated review zones.

This glossary feeds directly into the required Phase 1 Step 2 updates to translation_memory.json, bible_term_registry.json, and doctrine_risk_registry.json, and into the Galatians-pattern extension of 12_ai_translation_requirements.md for Philippians.


Critical Risk Terms

Grace

Approved rendering: χάρη
Transliteration: chári
Doctrine: Grace
Rejected alternatives: χάρη με την καθημερινή έννοια της γοητείας ή ομορφιάς, χάρη ως νομική/προεδρική χάρη (απονομή χάριτος)
Original: χάρις
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. Modern Greek ‘χάρη’ has broadened into charm/gracefulness and legal pardon; Philippians extends the same root into suffering itself being graciously granted (1:29) — see grace_to_suffer, which must never collapse into a neutral ‘it happened to you.‘


Righteousness

Approved rendering: δικαιοσύνη
Transliteration: dikaiosýni
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: δικαιοσύνη αποκλειστικά με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της νομικής ή κοινωνικής δικαιοσύνης
Original: δικαιοσύνη
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 3:6, 3:9 is Paul’s own autobiographical confirmation of the Romans/Galatians justification argument; must be rendered and anchored identically to the baseline’s λογιζόμενη δικαιοσύνη note.


Salvation

Approved rendering: σωτηρία
Transliteration: sotiría
Doctrine: Salvation
Original: σωτηρία
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. At Philippians 2:12 must be bound to 2:13’s prior divine enabling (see work_out_salvation, god_who_works_in_you) so that Orthodox synergistic theosis theology does not override Paul’s grace-grounded framing.


Saints

Approved rendering: άγιοι
Transliteration: ágioi
Doctrine: Sainthood
Rejected alternatives: Άγιοι αποκλειστικά ως αγιοποιημένα, τιμώμενα πρόσωπα με ονομαστική εορτή
Original: ἅγιοι
Category: Church

Inherited from Romans package. Occurs at Philippians 1:1 and 4:21-22 (‘all the saints… of Caesar’s household’); the corporate, universal-among-believers sense has no lexical disambiguation without the mandatory explanatory note at every occurrence.


Holy

Approved rendering: άγιος
Transliteration: ágios
Doctrine: Sanctification
Original: ἅγιος
Category: Sanctification

Inherited from Romans package. Identical word to ‘saints’; see that entry.


Lord

Approved rendering: Κύριος
Transliteration: Kýrios
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: Κύριος με την καθημερινή έννοια της ευγενικής προσφώνησης ‘κύριε’ (αντίστοιχο του ‘Mr.’)
Original: κύριος
Category: Christology

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 2:11’s climactic confession is identical in force to Romans 10:9 and must carry the same mandatory Septuagint/YHWH-background note every time.


Holy Spirit

Approved rendering: Άγιο Πνεύμα
Transliteration: Ágio Pnévma
Doctrine: Sanctification
Original: πνεῦμα ἅγιον / πνεῦμα (Php 2:1)
Category: God

Inherited from Romans package. Ground of the unity appeal ‘κοινωνία πνεύματος’ at Philippians 2:1 — see fellowship_of_the_spirit for the specific collocation risk.


Jesus

Approved rendering: Ιησούς
Transliteration: Iisoús
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Original: Ἰησοῦς
Category: Christology

Inherited from Romans package. Standard NT/liturgical form, occurring throughout Philippians.


God

Approved rendering: Θεός
Transliteration: Theós
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Original: θεός
Category: God

Inherited from Romans package. Standard and unambiguous throughout Philippians.


Father

Approved rendering: Πατέρας
Transliteration: Patéras
Doctrine: Adoption into God’s Family
Original: πατήρ
Category: God

Inherited from Romans package. The terminus of Christ’s exaltation doxology at Philippians 2:11 and 4:20.


Calling

Approved rendering: κλήση
Transliteration: klísi
Doctrine: Divine Calling
Rejected alternatives: κλήση με την καθημερινή έννοια μιας τηλεφωνικής κλήσης ή δικαστικής κλήσης/κλήσης τροχαίας
Original: κλῆσις
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 3:14 specifies ‘the upward call’ (see upward_call); inherits the baseline’s severe secular-bleaching risk (phone call, legal/traffic summons) in full and requires deliberate reactivation of the theological register in every occurrence.


Credited

Approved rendering: λογίστηκε
Transliteration: logízomai
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: δικαιοσύνη ως αποκλειστικά εσωτερική μεταμόρφωση μέσω της θέωσης, χωρίς καμία δικανική διάσταση

Inherited from Romans/Galatians package. This is the identical verb Philippians 4:8 uses in the ordinary, non-technical sense ‘consider/dwell on’ (see think_on_these_things); teaching material must explicitly distinguish the two uses of the same Greek verb so students neither import justification theology into 4:8 nor weaken their grasp of the forensic sense in Romans 4/Galatians 3.


Form Of God

Approved rendering: μορφή
Transliteration: morphí
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: μορφή αποκλειστικά με την αριστοτελική έννοια ύλης/μορφής (μεταφυσική ουσίας)
Original: μορφὴ θεοῦ
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:6). Zero lexical gap, but μορφή is a core Aristotelian metaphysical term live in Greek humanistic education; a classically-trained reader may import form-matter ontology rather than ‘the nature and glory properly belonging to God.’ Must be lexically distinguished from σχῆμα (2:8, see human_form_fashion) — using the same word for both erases Paul’s argument. Mandatory translator note; human theologian review required on every occurrence.


A Thing To Be Grasped

Approved rendering: αρπαγμόν
Transliteration: harpagmón
Doctrine: Deity of Christ and Equality with God
Rejected alternatives: αρπαγμόν αποδιδόμενο αποκλειστικά ως ‘αρπαγή κάτι που δεν του ανήκε’, υπονοώντας αμφισβήτηση της θεότητάς του
Original: ἁρπαγμόν
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:6). Genuinely disputed sense even among native Koine/Modern Greek readers: (1) something not yet possessed, to be seized, or (2) something already possessed, not exploited for advantage. Unglossed literal rendering risks readers defaulting to sense (1), wrongly implying Christ’s deity was in question. Mandatory translator note required on every occurrence; human theologian review required.


Emptied Himself

Approved rendering: εκένωσε (τον εαυτόν του)
Transliteration: ekénose (ton eaftón tou)
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: εκένωσε με τη σύγχρονη καθημερινή έννοια του ‘αδειάζω ένα δοχείο’ ή ‘η πόλη αδειάζει τον Αύγουστο’, εκένωσε ερμηνευμένο ως πλήρης απόθεση της θεϊκής ουσίας/φύσης (αιρετική κενωτική Χριστολογία, ήδη καταδικασμένη Χαλκηδονίως)
Original: ἐκένωσεν ἑαυτόν
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:7) — THE single highest-priority term in this curriculum. Modern Greek κενώνω is the ordinary verb for physically emptying a container/a city emptying for summer, risking total flattening. Conversely κένωσις is a sophisticated live Orthodox theological term (kenotic spirituality tied to theosis) that must not be pressed into a heterodox reading emptying Christ of his divine essence. Mandatory translator note anchoring the emptying to manner/mode/prerogative, not essence. Human theologian review required on every occurrence.


Human Form Fashion

Approved rendering: σχήμα
Transliteration: schíma
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: σχήμα αποδιδόμενο με την ίδια λέξη όπως μορφή, καταστρέφοντας την αντίθεση του Παύλου, σχήμα με τη μοναστική έννοια του ‘μοναχικού σχήματος’ (μεγαλόσχημος μοναχός)
Original: σχῆμα
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:8). Structural risk: if rendered with the same word as μορφή, Paul’s careful two-term argument collapses, risking a Docetic implication that Christ only ‘appeared’ human. Separately, Modern Greek μοναχικό σχήμα is the technical term for the monastic habit/rank; unglossed, σχήμα risks a monastic-vesture association. Mandatory translator note; human theologian review required.


Name Above Every Name

Approved rendering: όνομα που είναι πάνω από κάθε όνομα
Transliteration: ónoma pou eínai páno apó káthe ónoma
Doctrine: The Exaltation and Universal Lordship of Christ
Original: ὄνομα τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:9). Paul’s direct application of Isaiah 45:23 LXX to Jesus; teaching material should make the citation explicit, since the Greek reader can access both texts in the same language.


Confess As Lord

Approved rendering: ομολογήσει (αποφεύγεται ως προτιμώμενη απόδοση: εξομολογήσηται)
Transliteration: omologísei (avoid preferring: exomologísitai)
Doctrine: The Exaltation and Universal Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: εξομολογήσηται αποδιδόμενο με την κυριαρχούσα σύγχρονη έννοια του Μυστηρίου της Εξομολόγησης
Original: ἐξομολογήσηται
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:11). εξομολόγηση/εξομολογούμαι is THE standard Modern Greek term for the Sacrament of Confession — an almost opposite (private, penitential) register from Paul’s public, universal acclamation. Structurally identical in severity to the baseline’s ἅγιοι collision. Strongly prefer ὁμολογήσῃ/ὁμολογία-family vocabulary already established for Romans 10:9-10; retain εξομολογήσηται-family vocabulary only with a mandatory note when a lesson specifically teaches the term’s own etymology. Human theologian review required on every occurrence.


Equality With God

Approved rendering: ίσος με τον Θεό
Transliteration: ísos me ton Theó
Doctrine: Deity of Christ and Equality with God
Original: ἴσα θεῷ
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:6), inheriting the baseline’s Critical Deity-of-Christ/Son-of-God tier. Stable vocabulary; risk is doctrinal emphasis, not lexical drift — teach alongside Romans 9:5.


Conduct As Citizens

Approved rendering: πολιτεύεσθε
Transliteration: politévesthe
Doctrine: Citizenship in Heaven
Rejected alternatives: πολιτεύεσθε με τη σύγχρονη κυρίαρχη έννοια του ‘ασχολούμαι με την πολιτική, γίνομαι πολιτικός’
Original: πολιτεύεσθε
Category: Citizenship

New term (Philippians 1:27). Modern Greek πολιτεύομαι has narrowed almost exclusively to professional-political engagement. Mandatory gloss; pairs with citizenship (πολίτευμα, 3:20). Human theologian review required.


Citizenship

Approved rendering: πολίτευμα
Transliteration: polítevma
Doctrine: Citizenship in Heaven
Rejected alternatives: πολίτευμα με τη σύγχρονη κυρίαρχη έννοια του συντάγματος/πολιτεύματος μιας χώρας (π.χ. ‘το δημοκρατικό πολίτευμα’)
Original: πολίτευμα
Category: Citizenship

New term (Philippians 3:20). Standard Modern Greek term for a country’s constitutional system of government, intensified by Greece’s own 1974 πολίτευμα referendum. Mandatory gloss; pairs with conduct_as_citizens (1:27). Human theologian review required.


Work Out Salvation

Approved rendering: κατεργάζεσθε (την εαυτών σωτηρία)
Transliteration: katergázesthe (tin eaftón sotiría)
Doctrine: Sanctification and the Working Out of Salvation
Rejected alternatives: κατεργάζεσθε ερμηνευμένο ως ανεξάρτητη ανθρώπινη προσπάθεια, αποκομμένο από το εδάφιο 2:13
Original: κατεργάζεσθε τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν
Category: Salvation

New term (Philippians 2:12). One of the most theologically loaded verses for this audience: Orthodox synergistic soteriology reads this naturally but can override Paul’s own framing. Must always be taught bound to v.13 (see god_who_works_in_you). Human theologian review required.


God Who Works In You

Approved rendering: ο ενεργών (εν υμίν)
Transliteration: ho energón (en ymín)
Doctrine: Providence and Divine Enablement
Rejected alternatives: ο ενεργών ερμηνευμένο ως τεχνική επίκληση της παλαμικής διάκρισης ουσίας-ενεργειών (θεῖες ενέργειες)
Original: ὁ ἐνεργῶν ἐν ὑμῖν
Category: God

New term (Philippians 2:13). Directly intersects the technical Orthodox vocabulary of θεῖες ενέργειες (Palamite essence-energies distinction). The doctrine taught is God’s personal enablement, not a metaphysical energies framework — an unavoidable lexical collision since ἐνεργῶν is Paul’s own verb. Human theologian review required.


Sacrifice And Service

Approved rendering: θυσία και λειτουργία
Transliteration: thysía kai leitourgía
Doctrine: Sacrificial Giving and Worship
Rejected alternatives: λειτουργία περιοριζόμενη αποκλειστικά στη Θεία Λειτουργία ή σε μηχανική ‘λειτουργία/λειτουργικότητα’
Original: θυσία καὶ λειτουργία
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 2:17, cf. λειτουργός at 2:25). λειτουργία has narrowed almost entirely to the Divine Liturgy or mechanical ‘function’; unglossed, the verse risks a sacramental misreading of what is actually praise for the Philippians’ material generosity. Human theologian review required.


Upward Call

Approved rendering: άνω κλήση
Transliteration: áno klísi
Doctrine: Divine Calling (the Upward Call)
Rejected alternatives: άνω κλήση αποδιδόμενη με την καθημερινή έννοια τηλεφωνικής κλήσης ή κλήσης τροχαίας
Original: ἡ ἄνω κλῆσις
Category: Salvation

New term (Philippians 3:14), inheriting the baseline κλήση Critical risk in full. Human theologian review required per the baseline’s blanket escalation rule for κλήση in any theological sense.


Savior

Approved rendering: σωτήρας
Transliteration: sotíras
Doctrine: Citizenship in Heaven
Original: σωτήρ
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 3:20), sharing the root of baseline σωτηρία. Christ awaited from heaven, in contrast with earthly citizenship of the same verse; ensure consistency with the baseline’s theosis-sensitivity note.


Contentment Self Sufficiency

Approved rendering: αυτάρκεια
Transliteration: aftárkia
Doctrine: Contentment in All Circumstances
Rejected alternatives: αυτάρκεια αποδιδόμενη με τη στωική τεχνική έννοια της αυτο-παραγόμενης, δι’ ορθού λόγου επιτυγχανόμενης ανεξαρτησίας από τις εξωτερικές συνθήκες, αποκομμένη από το εδάφιο 4:13
Original: αὐτάρκεια / ἔμαθον αὐτάρκης εἶναι
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 4:11). Major technical term of Stoic/Cynic ethics (literally ‘self-sufficing’); Paul’s very next verse (4:13) grounds contentment in Christ’s strengthening — the opposite of self-sufficiency. Mandatory translator note binding 4:11 to 4:13. Human theologian review required.


Learned The Secret

Approved rendering: μεμύημαι (έχω μυηθεί)
Transliteration: memýimai (écho myitheí)
Doctrine: Contentment in All Circumstances
Rejected alternatives: μεμύημαι ερμηνευμένο με την παγανιστική μυστηριακή έννοια της μύησης σε λατρεία (π.χ. Ελευσίνια Μυστήρια), μεμύημαι ερμηνευμένο με τη σύγχρονη ορθόδοξη σακραμενταλική έννοια των Ιερών Μυστηρίων
Original: μεμύημαι
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 4:12). Genuine technical term from Greco-Roman mystery-cult initiation (root of Modern Greek μυστήριο). Double collision: classical mystery-cult resonance AND Orthodox Ιερά Μυστήρια sacramental resonance. Mandatory translator note distinguishing Paul’s rhetorical borrowing from both backgrounds. Human theologian review required.


High Risk Terms

Gospel

Approved rendering: ευαγγέλιο
Transliteration: evangélio
Doctrine: Gospel
Original: εὐαγγέλιον
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. Identical to the NT’s own εὐαγγέλιον; guard against the modern secular sense of casual ‘good news.’ In Philippians, further activates a concrete financial/material partnership sense at 1:5 and 4:15 — see partnership_giving_receiving.


Faith

Approved rendering: πίστη
Transliteration: písti
Doctrine: Faith
Rejected alternatives: πίστη με τη γενική έννοια της αφοσίωσης σε οποιαδήποτε ιδέα ή πρόσωπο
Original: πίστις
Category: Faith

Inherited from Romans package. Personal trust in Christ, the ground of righteousness at Philippians 3:9, not generalized loyalty or self-belief.


Resurrection

Approved rendering: ανάσταση
Transliteration: anástasi
Doctrine: Resurrection of Christ
Original: ἀνάστασις
Category: Eschatology

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 3:10-11’s deliberate ‘not-yet’ emphasis (Paul explicitly denies having already attained) must not collapse into an already-fully-realized reading; 3:21 recapitulates the 2:6-11 hymn’s pattern in the believer’s own resurrection hope.


Incarnation

Approved rendering: ενανθρώπηση
Transliteration: enanthrópisi
Doctrine: Incarnation
Original: ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο (theological name; cf. Philippians 2:6-8)
Category: Christology

Inherited from Romans package. Theological name for Philippians 2:6-8’s movement from μορφή θεοῦ to μορφή δούλου and ὁμοίωμα ἀνθρώπων; the Orthodox theosis-framing of the patristic formula must not eclipse Philippians’ own ethical-pattern emphasis (2:5).


Law

Approved rendering: νόμος
Transliteration: nómos
Doctrine: Fulfillment of Prophecy
Original: νόμος
Category: Covenant

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 3:5-9 is Paul’s own autobiographical case study of the identical Romans/Galatians works-of-the-law argument; keep the referent specifically Mosaic.


Obedience Of Faith

Approved rendering: υπακοή πίστεως
Transliteration: ypakoí písteos
Doctrine: Obedience of Faith
Rejected alternatives: υπακοή στους θεσμούς της Εκκλησίας ανεξάρτητα από την πίστη

Inherited from Romans package. Distinct from, but the believer’s-side counterpart to, Christ’s own obedience unto death at Philippians 2:8 (see obedient_unto_death) — Christ’s obedience to the Father is the ground and pattern for, not identical with, believers’ obedience of faith toward the gospel.


Form Of A Servant

Approved rendering: μορφή δούλου
Transliteration: morphí doúlou
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: μορφή δούλου αποδιδόμενη ως ‘μορφή υπηρέτη’, απαλύνοντας τη λέξη δούλος
Original: μορφὴ δούλου
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:7). Preserve the parallel μορφή θεοῦ / μορφή δούλου construction lexically — the repetition itself carries Paul’s argument. δούλος retains its full ‘slave’ weight in Modern Greek; do not soften to ‘servant/employee’ (υπηρέτης/υπάλληλος).


Humbled Himself

Approved rendering: εταπείνωσε τον εαυτόν του
Transliteration: etapeínose ton eaftón tou
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis); Unity and Humility in the Church
Original: ἐταπείνωσεν ἑαυτόν
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 2:8), same root family as ταπεινοφροσύνη (2:3) and ταπείνωσις (3:21). Ensure consistent rendering across chapters 2 and 3 so the reader can see the pattern exactly as in the Greek text.


Cosmic Realms

Approved rendering: επουρανίων, επιγείων, καταχθονίων
Transliteration: epouraníon, epigeíon, katachthoníon
Doctrine: The Exaltation and Universal Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: καταχθόνιοι ερμηνευμένοι μέσα από την κλασική ελληνική μυθολογία (Άδης, χθόνιες θεότητες)
Original: ἐπουρανίων, ἐπιγείων, καταχθονίων
Category: Eschatology

New term (Philippians 2:10). καταχθόνιος carries strong classical Greek mythological resonance (Homer/Hesiod’s chthonic underworld deities); note required that Paul’s point is total cosmic submission to Christ, including hostile realms, not an endorsement of classical underworld cosmology.


Existing Being

Approved rendering: υπάρχοντας
Transliteration: ypárchontas
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: υπάρχω αποδιδόμενο με την κυρίαρχη σύγχρονη έννοια του ‘έχω περιουσία/υπάρχοντα’
Original: ὑπάρχων
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:6). Modern Greek ὑπάρχω has a dominant secondary sense ‘to possess belongings’ (τα υπάρχοντά μου), risking flattening of Christ’s continuous, real pre-existence claim into a mundane possession sense. Gloss required at this occurrence.


Encouragement Appeal

Approved rendering: παράκληση
Transliteration: paráklisi
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Rejected alternatives: παράκληση ερμηνευμένη ως αναφορά στην ονομαστή Ακολουθία της Παρακλήσεως προς την Θεοτόκο
Original: παράκλησις
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 2:1). Η Παράκλησις is the proper name of a specific, extremely popular Orthodox liturgical service to the Theotokos; a reader may default to this association rather than Paul’s general Christ-grounded appeal. Requires an explanatory note.


Humility

Approved rendering: ταπεινοφροσύνη
Transliteration: tapeinofrosýni
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Rejected alternatives: ταπεινοφροσύνη περιοριζόμενη σε ειδική μοναστική/ασκητική αρετή, ταπεινοφροσύνη συγχεόμενη με ψευδοταπείνωση (επιτηδευμένη αυτοϋποτίμηση)
Original: ταπεινοφροσύνη
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 2:3, root also in 2:8, 3:21). A maximally positive, central Philokalia/ascetic virtue — a genuine asset — but risks (1) narrowing to a specialized monastic virtue rather than every believer’s calling, and (2) collapsing into performed false humility rather than Christ-patterned, others-esteeming humility (2:3b).


Overseers And Deacons

Approved rendering: επίσκοποι και διάκονοι
Transliteration: epískopoi kai diákonoi
Doctrine: Church Leadership and Office
Rejected alternatives: επίσκοποι ερμηνευμένοι αναχρονιστικά ως η μετέπειτα μοναρχική επισκοπική τάξη (ένας επίσκοπος ανά πόλη)
Original: ἐπίσκοποι καὶ διάκονοι
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 1:1). In the Orthodox Church, Επίσκοπος denotes a singular, high hierarchical office; reading the plural ἐπίσκοποι through this lens risks anachronism. Note required clarifying overlapping apostolic-era local plural oversight.


Grace To Suffer

Approved rendering: εχαρίσθη
Transliteration: echarísthi
Doctrine: Grace Extended to Suffering for Christ
Rejected alternatives: εχαρίσθη αποδιδόμενο ως ουδέτερο ‘συνέβη’, χάνοντας τη ρίζα χάρις
Original: ἐχαρίσθη
Category: Salvation

New term (Philippians 1:29), extending the baseline’s Critical grace family. Must not collapse into a neutral ‘it happened to you’ — suffering for Christ’s sake is itself a grace-gift.


Conformed To Christ

Approved rendering: σύμμορφος / συμμορφιζόμενος
Transliteration: sýmmorfos / symmorfizómenos
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ; Resurrection Hope and Bodily Transformation
Original: σύμμορφος / συμμορφιζόμενος
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 3:10, 3:21), same μορφή root as 2:6-7. Must be rendered with full lexical consistency across chapters 2 and 3 so the reader can see Paul’s deliberate extension of the kenosis hymn’s own terms.


Transform Body

Approved rendering: μετασχηματίσει
Transliteration: metaschimatísei
Doctrine: Resurrection Hope and Bodily Transformation
Rejected alternatives: μετασχηματίσει ερμηνευμένο με τη σύγχρονη έννοια οικοδομικής/τεχνικής μετασκευής
Original: μετασχηματίσει
Category: Eschatology

New term (Philippians 3:21), same σχῆμα root as 2:8. Flag the lexical link back to 2:8 for teaching material: Paul returns to σχῆμα-family vocabulary to describe the reversal of the incarnation’s downward pattern.


Body Of Humiliation And Glory

Approved rendering: σώμα της ταπείνωσης / σώμα της δόξης
Transliteration: sóma tis tapeínosis / sóma tis dóxis
Doctrine: Resurrection Hope and Bodily Transformation
Original: τὸ σῶμα τῆς ταπεινώσεως ἡμῶν / σύμμορφον τῷ σώματι τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ
Category: Eschatology

New term (Philippians 3:21). The clearest structural echo of the whole 2:6-11 hymn later in the letter; the ταπείνωσις/δόξα/μορφή vocabulary must be rendered with full lexical consistency across chapters 2 and 3.


Think On These Things

Approved rendering: λογίζεσθε
Transliteration: logízesthe
Doctrine: Christian Virtue and Ethical Reflection
Rejected alternatives: λογίζεσθε ερμηνευμένο με την τεχνική δικανική έννοια του λογίζομαι (Ρωμ. 4/Γαλ. 3), εισάγοντας δικαίωση εκ πίστεως σε μια ηθική προτροπή
Original: λογίζεσθε
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 4:8), colliding with the baseline’s Critical forensic λογίζομαι entry (see credited). Here the sense is the ordinary ‘consider/dwell on’; teaching material must explicitly distinguish this ethical use from the forensic-justification use elsewhere in the curriculum.


Virtue

Approved rendering: αρετή
Transliteration: areté
Doctrine: Christian Virtue and Ethical Reflection
Rejected alternatives: αρετή αποδιδόμενη αποκλειστικά με την κλασική αριστοτελική έννοια της αυτο-καλλιεργούμενης ηθικής αρετής
Original: ἀρετή
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 4:8). THE foundational term of classical Greek virtue-ethics (Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics); risk of reading through a purely self-cultivated, reason-achieved lens rather than as a Spirit-enabled fruit of a Christ-centered mind (cf. 4:13).


Medium Risk Terms

Peace

Approved rendering: ειρήνη
Transliteration: eiríni
Doctrine: Peace with God
Rejected alternatives: ειρήνη με την ησυχαστική έννοια της εσωτερικής ή νοερής ησυχίας (μυστικιστική παράδοση)
Original: εἰρήνη
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 4:6-7’s peace guarding heart and mind through prayer must be distinguished from the Hesychast contemplative-stillness sense (ἡσυχία).


Thanksgiving

Approved rendering: ευχαριστία
Transliteration: efcharistía
Doctrine: Thanksgiving
Rejected alternatives: Θεία Ευχαριστία αποκλειστικά (η Ευχαριστία ως Μυστήριο)
Original: εὐχαριστία
Category: Faith

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 1:3-4 and 4:6’s general gratitude sense must not narrow to the sacramental Eucharist reference.


Fellowship

Approved rendering: κοινωνία
Transliteration: koinonía
Doctrine: Christian Fellowship
Rejected alternatives: κοινωνία αποκλειστικά ως λήψη της Θείας Κοινωνίας (Ευχαριστίας), κοινωνία με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της κοινωνίας/κοινωνικού συνόλου
Original: κοινωνία
Category: Church

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians is unusually dense in κοινωνία occurrences, cycling through at least four distinct senses: general fellowship (2:1, see fellowship_of_the_spirit), financial partnership (1:5, 4:14, see partnership_giving_receiving), participatory suffering with Christ (3:10), and the unwanted default senses of ‘society’ and ‘Holy Communion.’ Each occurrence must be disambiguated in context, not resolved by a single blanket note.


Church

Approved rendering: εκκλησία
Transliteration: ekklisía
Doctrine: Church as God’s People
Rejected alternatives: Εκκλησία αποκλειστικά ως ο θεσμός/η ιεραρχική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία, ή αποκλειστικά το κτίριο
Original: ἐκκλησία
Category: Church

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 4:15’s local-congregation sense (the Philippian church specifically) matches the baseline’s Romans 16 note precisely.


Glory

Approved rendering: δόξα
Transliteration: dóxa
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Rejected alternatives: δόξα με τη σύγχρονη έννοια της φήμης ή επιτυχίας (π.χ. αθλητική δόξα)
Original: δόξα
Category: God

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians deliberately contrasts κενοδοξία (2:3, empty self-glory) with δόξα Θεού (2:11, true glory rendered to the Father) — a teaching inclusio that must survive translation as a recognizable pair; also the destination of believers’ transformed bodies (3:21).


Power Of God

Approved rendering: δύναμη Θεού
Transliteration: dýnami Theoú
Doctrine: Power of God for Salvation
Original: δύναμις
Category: God

Inherited from Romans package. Family term for Philippians 3:10 (the power of Christ’s resurrection) and 4:13/4:19 (him_who_strengthens_me, God’s provision).


Likeness Of Men

Approved rendering: ομοίωμα ανθρώπων
Transliteration: omoíoma anthrópon
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Rejected alternatives: ομοίωμα ερμηνευμένο ως απλή εξωτερική επίφαση, όχι πραγματική ανθρωπότητα (δοκητισμός)
Original: ὁμοίωμα ἀνθρώπων
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:7). Affirms real, not merely apparent, human likeness; Orthodox iconographic tradition (insisting on Christ’s fully depictable humanity) supports the correct reading.


Obedient Unto Death

Approved rendering: υπήκοος (μέχρι θανάτου)
Transliteration: ypíkoos (méchri thanátou)
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis)
Original: ὑπήκοος μέχρι θανάτου
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:8), same root family as ὑπακοή/baseline obedience_of_faith. Christ’s obedience to the Father, unto death — the ground and pattern for, not identical with, believers’ obedience of faith.


Highly Exalted

Approved rendering: υπερύψωσε
Transliteration: hyperýpsose
Doctrine: The Exaltation and Universal Lordship of Christ
Original: ὑπερύψωσεν
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:9). Rare intensive compound, low secular-bleaching risk; the proportional kenosis-exaltation reversal structure (deeper descent, higher exaltation) must be made explicit in teaching material.


Every Knee Shall Bow

Approved rendering: κάμψει γόνυ
Transliteration: kámpsei góny
Doctrine: The Exaltation and Universal Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: γόνυ κάμψει ερμηνευμένο αποκλειστικά ως η συγκεκριμένη λειτουργική γονυκλισία, χωρίς το οικουμενικό-κοσμικό εύρος
Original: κάμψῃ γόνυ
Category: Christology

New term (Philippians 2:10). γονυκλισία is a living, positive Orthodox liturgical act (Pentecost Kneeling Vespers); ensure the cosmic, universal scope is not narrowed to the specific liturgical gesture alone.


Comfort Of Love

Approved rendering: παραμυθία της αγάπης
Transliteration: paramythía tis agápis
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Rejected alternatives: παραμύθι (υποκοριστικό, σημερινή σημασία: ‘παραμύθι’ = παιδική ιστορία/fairy tale — παρετυμολογική παγίδα)
Original: παραμύθιον ἀγάπης
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 2:1). Avoid the diminutive παραμύθι; prefer the abstract noun παραμυθία to avoid the false-friend drift toward ‘fairy tale.‘


Fellowship Of The Spirit

Approved rendering: κοινωνία Πνεύματος
Transliteration: koinonía Pnévmatos
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Rejected alternatives: κοινωνία Πνεύματος περιοριζόμενη στη μυστηριακή έννοια της Θείας Κοινωνίας
Original: κοινωνία πνεύματος
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 2:1), a specific collocation of the baseline κοινωνία entry. Must be read as shared Spirit-participation among believers, not narrowed to the sacramental Holy Communion sense.


Selfish Ambition

Approved rendering: ερίθεια
Transliteration: eritheía
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Rejected alternatives: ερίθεια υποτιμημένη σε απλή ‘φιλονικία’, χάνοντας την απόχρωση της ιδιοτελούς, φατριαστικής φιλοδοξίας
Original: ἐριθεία
Category: Sin

New term (Philippians 2:3). Rare in ordinary Modern Greek outside biblical register; gloss as ‘ιδιοτελής φιλοδοξία’ where needed.


Empty Conceit

Approved rendering: κενοδοξία
Transliteration: kenodoxía
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Original: κενοδοξία
Category: Sin

New term (Philippians 2:3). Fully transparent compound; surface the deliberate wordplay with δόξα (2:11) as a teaching asset.


Same Mind Disposition

Approved rendering: φρονώ / φρόνημα
Transliteration: fronó / frónima
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church
Rejected alternatives: φρόνημα με τη σύγχρονη έννοια του στρατιωτικού/αθλητικού ‘ηθικού’ (morale)
Original: φρονέω
Category: Church

New term. The governing verb of the whole hymn (2:2, 2:5; also 3:15, 3:19, 4:2, 4:10); gloss required at first occurrence and cross-chapter consistency required.


Slaves

Approved rendering: δούλοι
Transliteration: doúloi
Doctrine: The Incarnation and Self-Emptying of Christ (Kenosis); Joy in Suffering and Imprisonment
Rejected alternatives: δούλοι απαλυμένο σε ‘υπάλληλοι/υπηρέτες’, χάνοντας το βάρος της λέξης
Original: δοῦλοι
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 1:1). Paul and Timothy’s self-designation, foreshadowing Christ’s own δοῦλος-status (2:7); preserve full ‘slave’ weight.


Joy

Approved rendering: χαρά / χαίρω
Transliteration: charᶏ / chaíro
Doctrine: Joy in Suffering and Imprisonment
Rejected alternatives: χαρά αναγόμενη σε περιστασιακή ευτυχία εξαρτημένη από τις συνθήκες
Original: χαρά / χαίρω
Category: Sanctification

New term — the letter’s dominant theme word (about 16 occurrences). Fully stable, zero-gap; the risk is doctrinal emphasis, not lexical drift — teach as a settled disposition ‘in the Lord’ (3:1; 4:4), not circumstance-dependent happiness.


Boldness

Approved rendering: παρρησία
Transliteration: parrisía
Doctrine: Joy in Suffering and Imprisonment
Original: παρρησία
Category: Faith

New term (Philippians 1:20). Positive liturgical asset (‘μετά παρρησίας’); ensure the civic-courage sense of open, fearless public speech is not lost.


Poured Out As Libation

Approved rendering: σπένδομαι
Transliteration: spéndomai
Doctrine: Sacrificial Giving and Worship
Original: σπένδομαι
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 2:17). Rare, elevated, transparent classical sacrificial-cultic register; shares register with θυσία.


Rubbish

Approved rendering: σκύβαλα
Transliteration: skývala
Doctrine: Righteousness by Faith versus the Law
Rejected alternatives: σκύβαλα απαλυμένο σε ευγενικότερο όρο όπως ‘απώλεια’, χάνοντας τη σκόπιμη χυδαιότητα
Original: σκύβαλα
Category: Sin

New term (Philippians 3:8). Do not soften the crudeness — the visceral force is Paul’s rhetorical point.


Knowledge Of Christ

Approved rendering: γνώση (Χριστού)
Transliteration: gnósi (Christoú)
Doctrine: Righteousness by Faith versus the Law
Rejected alternatives: γνώση ερμηνευμένη ως εσωτερική/γνωστικιστική μεταφυσική γνώση
Original: γνῶσις Χριστοῦ
Category: Faith

New term (Philippians 3:8). Relational/experiential knowledge of a person, not esoteric-Gnostic metaphysical knowledge.


Already Perfected

Approved rendering: τετελείωμαι
Transliteration: tetelíomai
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ
Rejected alternatives: τετελείωμαι συγχεόμενο με τέλειοι (ωριμότητα, 3:15) στο ίδιο κεφάλαιο

New term (Philippians 3:12). Distinguish from τέλειοι (3:15, maturity) — different nuance, same root.


Mature

Approved rendering: τέλειοι
Transliteration: téleioi
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ

New term (Philippians 3:15). Distinguish from τετελείωμαι (3:12, final-perfection claim denied).


Pressing On

Approved rendering: διώκω
Transliteration: dióko
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ
Original: διώκω
Category: Eschatology

New term (Philippians 3:12, 3:14). Flag the ironic wordplay: the same verb Paul earlier used of persecuting the church (3:6) — a teaching asset directly visible in the Greek text.


Gentleness Reasonableness

Approved rendering: επιείκεια
Transliteration: epiíkeia
Doctrine: Christian Virtue and Ethical Reflection
Original: ἐπιείκεια
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 4:5). Stable, with classical ethical-philosophical resonance (Aristotle’s equitable justice); a positive asset connecting to the humility/unity themes of chapter 2.


Him Who Strengthens Me

Approved rendering: ο ενδυναμών με
Transliteration: ho endynamón me
Doctrine: Contentment in All Circumstances
Original: ὁ ἐνδυναμῶν με
Category: God

New term (Philippians 4:13), baseline δύναμις family. The ground and correction of 4:11’s αὐτάρκεια; must be taught together with it.


Partnership Giving Receiving

Approved rendering: συγκοινωνήσαντες· δόση και λήψη
Transliteration: synkoinonísantes; dósi kai lípsi
Doctrine: Partnership in the Gospel
Rejected alternatives: δόση και λήψη υπερπνευματικοποιημένη, χάνοντας το σκόπιμα εμπορικό/λογιστικό ύφος
Original: συγκοινωνήσαντές… εἰς λόγον δόσεως καὶ λήψεως
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 4:14-15). Financial-partnership sense of κοινωνία, intensified by the compound συγκοινωνέω. δόσις καὶ λῆψις is a ledger idiom Modern Greek retains in ordinary commercial usage (δοσοληψίες, ‘transactions’) — preserve the deliberately businesslike register.


Acceptable Sacrifice

Approved rendering: θυσία δεκτή, ευάρεστη στον Θεό
Transliteration: thysía dektí, evárestî ston Theó
Doctrine: Sacrificial Giving and Worship
Original: θυσίαν δεκτήν, εὐάρεστον τῷ Θεῷ
Category: Church

New term (Philippians 4:18), reusing the θυσία risk profile of 2:17. Positive resonance with the Eucharist as ἀναίμακτος θυσία is a potential asset if handled carefully so the Philippians’ material gift is not conflated with the Eucharistic sacrifice itself.


Sponsorship Supply

Approved rendering: επιχορηγία
Transliteration: epichorigía
Doctrine: Partnership in the Gospel; Providence and Divine Enablement

New term (Philippians 1:19). Positive resonance with Modern Greek ‘sponsorship’ (χορηγία, e.g. sponsoring a broadcast); do not flatten the Spirit’s provision into purely corporate sponsorship language.


Day Of Christ

Approved rendering: ημέρα Χριστού
Transliteration: iméra Christoú
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ

New term (Philippians 1:6, 1:10, 2:16). Concrete eschatological expectation tied to Christ’s return/judgment, not a vague ‘someday.‘


Low Risk Terms

Circumcision

Approved rendering: περιτομή
Transliteration: peritomí
Doctrine: Covenant
Original: περιτομή
Category: Covenant

Inherited from Romans package. Philippians 3:5 lists it among Paul’s former, now-repudiated grounds of confidence.


Boast In The Cross

Approved rendering: καυχώμαι στον σταυρό
Transliteration: kavchóme ston stavró
Doctrine: Salvation
Original: σταυρός / καυχάομαι
Category: Salvation

Inherited from Romans package. σταυρός is fully stable and idiomatic; teach the original shame/degradation of crucifixion at Philippians 2:8 explicitly, since two millennia of veneration have overlaid the cross with an honor the original hearers would not have felt; also relevant at 3:18 (enemies of the cross).


Affection Tender Mercies

Approved rendering: σπλάχνα και οικτιρμοί
Transliteration: spláchna kai oiktirmoí
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church

New term (Philippians 2:1). Elevated/archaic register, retained in Modern Greek idiom (‘τα σπλάχνα μου’); avoid a purely anatomical reading.


Grumbling And Disputing

Approved rendering: γογγυσμοί και διαλογισμοί
Transliteration: gongysmoí kai dialogismoí
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church

New term (Philippians 2:14). Stable; possible Old Testament wilderness-grumbling echo (Septuagint access asset).


Lights In The World

Approved rendering: φωστήρες
Transliteration: fostíres
Doctrine: Unity and Humility in the Church

New term (Philippians 2:15). Direct Septuagint (Genesis 1:14,16) lexical asset.


Chains Imprisonment

Approved rendering: δεσμά
Transliteration: desmá
Doctrine: Joy in Suffering and Imprisonment
Original: δεσμά
Category: Sanctification

New term (Philippians 1:7, 1:13-14, 1:17). Keep literal and concrete, not spiritualized away.


Gospel Advancement

Approved rendering: προκοπή
Transliteration: prokopí
Doctrine: Joy in Suffering and Imprisonment
Original: προκοπή
Category: Salvation

New term (Philippians 1:12, 1:25). Stable, positive, still a common Modern Greek word for ‘progress.‘


Prize

Approved rendering: βραβείο
Transliteration: vraveío
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ
Original: βραβεῖον
Category: Eschatology

New term (Philippians 3:14). Fully alive and immediately recognizable in Modern Greek.


Goal

Approved rendering: σκοπός
Transliteration: skopós
Doctrine: Pressing on toward the Goal in Christ
Original: σκοπός
Category: Eschatology

New term (Philippians 3:14). Stable; connects to σκοποῦντες (2:4) and ἐπίσκοπος (1:1) word-family.


Agonistic Struggle

Approved rendering: αγώνας / συναθλούντες
Transliteration: agónas / synathloúntes
Doctrine: Joy in Suffering and Imprisonment

New term (Philippians 1:27, 1:30). Athletic-contest metaphor family fully alive in Modern Greek (αγωνίζομαι, αγωνιστής); natural and vivid rendering.


Zeal

Approved rendering: ζήλος
Transliteration: zílos
Doctrine: Righteousness by Faith versus the Law

New term (Philippians 3:6), same root as baseline ζηλωτής (Galatians 1:14). Zeal alone is not righteousness in Paul’s argument — direction matters more than intensity.

Library content is free and openly licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — share and adapt it for non-commercial use, with attribution to tri-bible.ai.

Give feedback

How would you rate this page?

0 / 500 words