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How ἐντολῶν Works in Matthew 5:19
A focused form insight on Noun Genitive Plural Feminine in Matthew 5:19.
Matthew 5:19 - BSB
So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The Question
How does ἐντολῶν function in Matthew 5:19?
Short Answer
ἐντολῶν is a Noun Genitive Plural Feminine in Matthew 5:19. The form narrows the sense to one commandment within a larger set, which strengthens the verse's caution against minimizing any part of the instruction.
What the Form Is Doing
ἐντολῶν appears in Matthew 5:19 as a Noun Genitive Plural Feminine. It functions inside a partitive genitive phrase, supporting the sense "one of the commandments" and helping the warning include even a seemingly small command.
In the phrase 'one of the commandments,' the genitive plural supports a partitive relationship after μίαν. The grammar points to membership in a larger collection of commands, while the surrounding warning and teaching context give the phrase its force.
Why It Matters for Interpretation
The form narrows the sense to one commandment within a larger set, which strengthens the verse's caution against minimizing any part of the instruction.
The partitive genitive affects how Jesus' warning treats even one commandment within the larger set.
Translation Effect
The genitive relation directly supports wording such as "one of these least commandments."
The form guide should support the public Bible reading, not replace it with a private rendering.
What It Does Not Prove
Do not derive a special theological category from genitive plural alone, and do not assume the form identifies a specific commandment. Do not let the grammar override the verse's actual warning and teaching setting.
Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
Genitive plural here indicates relationship within the phrase, not a standalone doctrine.
Evidence from the Form Guide
The witnessed form is ἐντολῶν in Matthew 5:19 in the Scrivener 1894 text of the Textus Receptus tradition.
For readers and teachers, the form helps clarify that the verse is not speaking vaguely about command in general, but about one item from a recognized body of commandments. That makes the warning more concrete and direct.
What It Does Not Prove
- Do not derive a special theological category from genitive plural alone, and do not assume the form identifies a specific commandment. Do not let the grammar override the verse's actual warning and teaching setting.
- Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
- Genitive plural here indicates relationship within the phrase, not a standalone doctrine.
- Do not make grammatical gender into a theological gender claim.