Greek Form Guide

φῶς (phos) in Matthew 5:14: Noun Nominative Singular Neuter

φῶς (phos) in Matthew 5:14

Textual Witness

φῶς phos Noun Nominative Singular Neuter

The witness reads φῶς in Matthew 5:14.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

Names the central image of visible witness.

How To Communicate It

Use it to explain the central light image before moving to the city and lamp examples.

What Not To Say

  • Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
  • Keep the form tied to Matthew 5:14.
  • Do not detach it from the linking verb in Matthew 5:14.
  • Do not use morphology alone to build a complete doctrinal claim.

What Does The Label Mean?

Part of Speech

Noun: the form names a person, place, thing, or concept in the clause.

Case

Nominative: marks the noun sentence role as the context requires.

Number

Singular: the number should be read from this occurrence, not generalized beyond the clause.

Gender

Neuter: grammatical gender marks form agreement and does not by itself make a theological claim.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

You are

Governed By

The linking verb in Matthew 5:14

Role In The Phrase

Names the second image Jesus applies to the addressed disciples.

What It Is Not Doing

Do not treat light as a detached symbol apart from the statement and the following good-works purpose.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: light image

Syntax Profile

Predicate noun in the light metaphor. names what the addressed disciples are called. Attached to you are. Governed by the linking verb in Matthew 5:14. Read with You are the light of the world.

Reader Question

What second image does Jesus assign to the disciples? He calls them the light of the world.

Translation Effect

Direct: The noun directly supports light.

Where Caution Is Needed

This occurrence must be read within Matthew 5:14, not as a standalone word study.

Fallacies To Avoid

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

The witness reads φῶς in Matthew 5:14.

Lexical Identity

The lemma names light or a source of light, and here it supplies the metaphorical identity after the linking verb.

Grammar In Context

The nominative noun parallels the salt saying and stands as the predicate complement.

Passage Meaning

Jesus says the addressed disciples are the light of the world, preparing the following call for visible good works.

Canonical Fit

The form fits Matthew 5 by connecting disciple identity to visible witness under Jesus authority.

Communication Use

Use it to explain the central light image before moving to the city and lamp examples.

Do Not Derive

Do not build a complete theology of light from this noun form alone.