What does τύπος (týpos) mean in the Bible?
Typos means a mark, form, pattern, or example that gives recognizable shape for others. Paul tells Timothy to become an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Greek · G5179
τύπος
Mark/example
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
τύπος G5179
Pronunciation týpos
What does τύπος (týpos) mean in the Bible?
Typos means a mark, form, pattern, or example that gives recognizable shape for others. Paul tells Timothy to become an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Reader summary
Full entry for τύπος (G5179) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G5179?
The BSB source-word alignment has 16 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include - (2), an example (2), pattern (2), [as] an example (1), [as] examples (1).
Where does τύπος (týpos) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at John 20:25. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (3), 1 Corinthians (2), John (2), Romans (2).
What This Word Actually Means
Typos means a mark, form, pattern, or example that gives recognizable shape for others. Paul tells Timothy to become an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Titus must present himself as a pattern of good works and integrity in teaching. Peter forbids elders from domineering and instead calls them examples to the flock. Philippians tells believers to observe those walking according to the apostolic pattern.
A biblical example is not a personality brand or a demand that others copy every preference. The pattern consists of gospel-shaped character and conduct that can be examined, tested, and imitated under Christ.
How the Bible Uses It
Typos identifies a visible pattern embodied in life. Younger and older leaders alike must model character, sound teaching, good works, and non-domineering shepherding, while churches discern people who walk according to the apostolic pattern.
- 1Tim.4.12
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
First Timothy 4:12 tells Timothy not to let anyone despise his youth but to become a pattern in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Credibility arises from observable character rather than age-based defensiveness.
- Titus.2.7
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
Titus 2:7 commands Titus to show himself a pattern of good works, with integrity and dignity in teaching. The teacher's life and doctrine must not contradict each other.
- 1Pet.5.3
Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
First Peter 5:3 tells elders not to lord authority over those entrusted to them but to become examples to the flock. Shepherding influence is cruciform and visible, never coercive domination.
- Php.3.17
Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
Philippians 3:17 invites believers to imitate Paul together and observe those walking according to the pattern found in the apostles. The surrounding context centers knowing Christ, pressing onward, and heavenly citizenship.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It - 2× John 20:25, Acts 23:25
an example 2× 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Timothy 4:12
pattern 2× Acts 7:44, Hebrews 8:5
[as] an example 1× 2 Thessalonians 3:9
[as] examples 1× 1 Corinthians 10:11
{to be} an example 1× Titus 2:7
a pattern 1× Romans 5:14
as examples 1× 1 Corinthians 10:6
examples 1× 1 Peter 5:3
idols 1× Acts 7:43
marks 1× John 20:25
the form 1× Romans 6:17
the pattern 1× Philippians 3:17
Show sample aligned rows
John 20:25 τύπον to marks Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular John 20:25 τύπον* to - Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Acts 7:43 τύπους to idols Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Acts 7:44 τύπον to pattern Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Acts 23:25 τύπον to - Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Romans 5:14 τύπος to a pattern Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Romans 6:17 τύπον to the form Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular 1 Corinthians 10:6 τύποι to as examples Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural 1 Corinthians 10:11 τυπικῶς to [as] examples Adverb Philippians 3:17 τύπον to the pattern Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row John 20:25
Aligned rows 16
Books represented 11
John 2 Acts 3 Romans 2 1 Corinthians 2 Philippians 1 1 Thessalonians 1 2 Thessalonians 1 1 Timothy 1 Titus 1 Hebrews 1 1 Peter 1
Source forms
τύπον 9x typon John 20:25, Acts 7:44, Acts 23:25, Romans 6:17
τύποι 2x typoi 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Peter 5:3
τύπος 2x typos Romans 5:14, 1 Timothy 4:12
τυπικῶς 1x typikōs 1 Corinthians 10:11
τύπον* 1x typon John 20:25
τύπους 1x typous Acts 7:43
Parsing patterns
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular 10x John 20:25, Acts 7:44, Acts 23:25, Romans 6:17
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural 2x 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Peter 5:3
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular 2x Romans 5:14, 1 Timothy 4:12
Adverb 1x 1 Corinthians 10:11
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural 1x Acts 7:43
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not demand imitation of a leader's personality, preferences, culture, or unreviewable private behavior.
- Do not use exemplary leadership language to bypass consent, accountability, or correction.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not demand imitation of a leader's personality, preferences, culture, or unreviewable private behavior.
- Do not use exemplary leadership language to bypass consent, accountability, or correction.
Evidence Summary
Greek word. An original pattern or mold that others should imitate; foundational exemplar in ethics and doctrine.
Strong's G5179
Lexical occurrences 15 verses Greek text appearances 16 times Word forms 4 forms 15 references Verse guides 0 guides
Study link 1 Timothy 4:11-16 Source Gloss
mark/example
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
John 20:25 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse John 20:25 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse Acts 7:43 Noun Accusative Plural Masculine
τύπους tupouv
a figure, model, type
Read verse Acts 7:44 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse Acts 23:25 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse Romans 5:14 Noun Nominative Singular Masculine
τύπος tupov
a figure, model, type
Read verse Romans 6:17 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse 1 Corinthians 10:6 Noun Nominative Plural Masculine
τύποι tupoi
a figure, model, type
Read verse 1 Corinthians 10:11 Noun Nominative Plural Masculine
τύποι tupoi
a figure, model, type
Read verse Philippians 3:17 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse 1 Thessalonians 1:7 Noun Accusative Plural Masculine
τύπους tupouv
a figure, model, type
Read verse 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse 1 Timothy 4:12 Noun Nominative Singular Masculine
τύπος tupov
a figure, model, type
Read verse Titus 2:7 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse Hebrews 8:5 Noun Accusative Singular Masculine
τύπον tupon
a figure, model, type
Read verse 1 Peter 5:3 Noun Nominative Plural Masculine
τύποι tupoi
a figure, model, type
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.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 4 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 4 Aligned forms 15 Case pattern Accusative (11) Number pattern Singular (12)
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Nominative · Singular · Masculine Rom 5:14 · 1 Tim 4:12 2×
Nominative · Plural · Masculine 1 Cor 10:6 · 1 Pet 5:3 2×
Accusative · Singular · Masculine John 20:25 · Acts 7:44 · Acts 23:25 · Rom 6:17 · Phil 3:17 · 1 Thess 1:7 · 2 Thess 3:9 · Titus 2:7 · Heb 8:5 10×
Accusative · Plural · Masculine Acts 7:43 1×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
New Testament Witnesses
A model to be imitated.
Showing 1 selected witness from 15 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
τύπος is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Pastoral authority is reinforced by visible godliness. 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Typos makes leadership visible and accountable. Timothy's youth is answered not by demanding respect but by becoming a pattern in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Titus must join good works to teaching integrity. Peter directly opposes domineering leadership and replaces it with an example the flock can freely observe. Paul invites imitation only within an apostolic pattern centered on gaining Christ, sharing His sufferings, and pressing toward resurrection hope.
Churches should therefore resist celebrity mimicry and secretive authority. Examples remain fallible and must be tested by Scripture. What deserves imitation is not a leader's taste or control, but repentant, transparent, gospel-shaped character that points beyond itself to Jesus.
Anchor passage
1Pet.5.3
Doctrinal connections
- Christlike leadership: shepherds lead through sacrificial example rather than domination.
- Sanctification: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity make doctrine visible.
- Church accountability: an example is observable and testable within the community.
- Teaching integrity: sound words and good works belong together.
- Discipleship: imitation is communal and governed by the apostolic pattern.
- Eschatological hope: Philippians' pattern aims toward knowing Christ, resurrection, and heavenly citizenship.
Typos can mean mark, impression, form, model, pattern, or example. Its referent may be physical or moral; in these passages it describes an embodied pattern presented for observation and imitation.
From Old to New Testament
Leaders in Israel are judged by whether they model covenant faithfulness, wisdom is transmitted through observable life, and prophets expose shepherds who exploit. Jesus becomes the definitive servant pattern.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain