greek:1223
This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
διά
Meaning:
- Through
- Because
- On account of
Preposition that relates to movement through space, time, means or cause - it's a preposition of movement and mediation.
When used with the genitive case, διά emphasizes the means or channel by which something happens.
When used with the accusative case, διά emphasizes the reason or cause behind something that happens.
Meaning by case
| Case governed | Basic meaning | Expanded sense | Example (Greek) | Translation |
| Genitive | through, by means of | Instrumental or agency — through, by, by means of | δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο πάντα (John 1:3plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJohn 1:3 Greek πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν ὃ γέγονεν ESV All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. NIV Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. NLT God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.) | “All things were made through him.” |
| Accusative | because of, on account of | Causal — because of, for the sake of | διὰ τὴν ἀνομίαν (Matthew 24:12plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMatthew 24:12 Greek καὶ διὰ τὸ πληθυνθῆναι τὴν ἀνομίαν ψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν. ESV And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. NIV Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, NLT Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.) | “Because of lawlessness.” |
Theological Significance
In the New Testament, διά often highlights agency or intermediacy, especially in divine action:
| Theological Theme | Phrase | Meaning |
| Creation through Christ | πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο (John 1:3plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJohn 1:3 Greek πάντα δι’ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν ὃ γέγονεν ESV All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. NIV Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. NLT God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.) | All things came into being through Him |
| Salvation through Christ | σωτηρία διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (2 Timothy 2:10plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_big2 Timothy 2:10 Greek διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσιν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου. ESV Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. NIV Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.…) | Salvation through Jesus Christ |
| Faith as means | δικαίωσις διὰ πίστεως (Romans 5:1plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigRomans 5:1 Greek Δικαιωθέντες οὖν ἐκ πίστεως εἰρήνην ἔχωμεν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ESV Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,) | Justification through faith |
| Grace as channel | χάρις διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (John 1:17plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJohn 1:17 Greek ὅτι ὁ νόμος διὰ Μωϋσέως ἐδόθη, ἡ χάρις καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐγένετο. ESV For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. NIV For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. NLT For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.) | Grace came through Jesus Christ |
This shows διά’s central role in expressing mediation - everything God does, He does through someone or something.
Forms
| Before consonant | Before vowel (smooth breathing) | Before vowel (rough breathing) |
| διά | δι’ | δι’ |
greek/1223.1761479462.txt.gz · Last modified: by graham