To "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
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γράφω (graphō) is the ordinary Greek verb for writing, inscribing, or recording something in written form. In the New Testament its theological importance comes not from a hidden sacred meaning in the verb but from the things God has caused to be written and the purposes those writings serve.
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Full entry for γράφω (G1125) · Open the biblical lexicon
γράφω (graphō) is the ordinary Greek verb for writing, inscribing, or recording something in written form. In the New Testament its theological importance comes not from a hidden sacred meaning in the verb but from the things God has caused to be written and the purposes those writings serve.
The BSB source-word alignment has 192 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include It is written (57), written (14), to write (13), write (12), I have written (10).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 2:5. Its strongest book concentrations include Revelation (29), John (23), Romans (21), Luke (20).
This entry includes 5 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
γράφω (graphō) is the ordinary Greek verb for writing, inscribing, or recording something in written form. In the New Testament its theological importance comes not from a hidden sacred meaning in the verb but from the things God has caused to be written and the purposes those writings serve. Jesus answers temptation with “It is written,” appealing to the settled authority of Scripture in context.
Luke writes an orderly account after careful investigation. John explains that selected signs are written so readers may believe and have life in Jesus' name. Paul identifies what he writes as the Lord's command, and Revelation commissions John to write what he sees for the churches. The verb can describe many kinds of writing, so not every occurrence is a doctrine of inspiration.
Taken in these passages, however, γράφω helps readers see written witness as durable, transmissible, publicly examinable testimony through which prophetic Scripture, apostolic instruction, Gospel proclamation, and apocalyptic exhortation serve God's people across distance and time.
γράφω ranges from the simple act of writing to formulaic appeals to Scripture and commissioned apostolic record. The selected witnesses show written words preserving revelation, ordering testimony, summoning faith, governing churches, and carrying Christ's message to congregations beyond the writer's immediate presence.
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus answers the tempter by citing Deuteronomy as written Scripture whose authority governs His obedient sonship. The formula does not make isolated quotation magical; Jesus reads and obeys the written word according to its covenant context.
Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
Luke joins writing to careful investigation, ordered presentation, and the reader's certainty stated in the following verse. Written Gospel testimony is neither careless spontaneity nor bare data; it is purposeful historical narration for instructed faith.
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
John names the theological purpose of his selected written signs. The writing bears witness to Jesus' identity and seeks believing reception, while life comes through Christ in whom the testimony calls readers to believe.
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
Paul places written apostolic instruction over competing claims to spirituality in Corinth. The verse ties recognition of true spiritual authority to receiving the command communicated in the letter, not to self-asserted status.
Saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
John is commissioned to turn the vision into a written message addressed to actual churches. Writing makes the revelation communicable across seven locations and preserves the summons for the wider church that hears the prophecy.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Greek word. Perfect tense γέγραπται emphasizes Scripture's abiding authority: "it stands written" as permanently binding truth.
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 194 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
I write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseI write
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
How this verb appears across 182 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 190 lexical occurrence verses.
γράφω is a primary verb - no further derivation.
Appeals to enduring authority of Scripture.
Demonstrates Christ’s reliance on Scripture.
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
Writing in the New Testament is a creaturely means by which testimony becomes durable and shareable. Jesus receives the written words of Deuteronomy as the governing speech of God and answers temptation through obedient interpretation. Luke uses writing to give an ordered account grounded in investigation. John selects and records signs so later readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ and receive life in His name.
Paul expects spiritual claims in Corinth to submit to what he writes as the Lord's command, while Revelation begins with a commission to write a vision and send it to named churches. None of this means the bare act of writing creates revelation. Grocery lists, legal notices, personal correspondence, Scripture citation, apostolic letters, and prophetic visions can all use the same verb.
The authority and purpose belong to the speaker, commission, content, and canonical context. Yet the ordinary verb helps the church appreciate God's wisdom in giving a public written witness that can cross generations, correct memory, expose rival claims, and keep directing readers to Christ.
John.20.31
γράφω is an ordinary transitive verb whose object and construction identify what is written. Perfect passive forms in the formula γέγραπται, “it is written,” present the scriptural statement as an established written witness, while active forms can emphasize the writer's commissioned act or stated purpose. The grammar supports attention to durable record; it does not by itself settle inspiration or canon.
The Old Testament repeatedly joins covenant revelation to writing: the tablets bear the covenant words, Moses writes the law and the stages of Israel's journey, prophets record divine messages, and written Scripture is read publicly to renew the people. The New Testament continues that pattern through Gospel, apostolic letter, and prophecy, centering the written witness on Jesus and extending it to the churches.
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