Lexical Summary
deuteros: Second
Original Word: δεύτερος
Part of Speech: Adjective; Adverb
Transliteration: deuteros
Pronunciation: DYOO-ter-os
Phonetic Spelling: (dyoo'-ter-os)
KJV: afterward, again, second(-arily, time)
NASB: second, second time, second one, subsequently, twice
Word Origin: [ordinal from G1417 (δύο - two)]
1. second (in time, place, or rank)
2. (also adverb) secondly
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
afterward, again, secondarily.
As the compare of duo; (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb) -- afterward, again, second(-arily, time).
see GREEK duo
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origincptv. adjective, perhaps from
duoDefinitionsecond
NASB Translationsecond (30), second one (2), second time (10), subsequently (1), twice (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1208: δεύτεροςδεύτερος,
δευτέρᾳ,
δεύτερον (from
Homer down;
Curtius, § 277),
second:
Matthew 22:26;
Mark 12:21;
Luke 12:38;
John 4:54;
Revelation 4:7, etc.;
the second, the other of two:
Matthew 22:39;
Mark 12:31;
1 Corinthians 15:47;
Titus 3:10;
2 Peter 3:1;
Hebrews 8:7;
Hebrews 10:9;
δεύτερος θάνατος (see
θάνατος, 3),
Revelation 2:11;
Revelation 20:14;
Revelation 21:8;
δευτέρᾳ χάρις in
2 Corinthians 1:15 is not a
double benefit, but
a second, opposed to the former which the Corinthians would have had if Paul in passing through Achaia into Macedonia had visited them
πρότερον (
WH text
Tr marginal reading read
δεύτερον χαράν, which see). The neuter
δεύτερον is used adverbially
in the second place, a second time (cf.
Winer's Grammar, § 37, 5 Note 1):
John 3:4;
Revelation 19:3;
πάλιν is added, as often in Greek writers (see
ἄνωθεν, at the end):
John 21:16; also
τό δεύτερον,
2 Corinthians 13:2;
Jude 1:5;
ἐκ δευτέρου (1 Macc. 9:1),
Mark 14:72;
John 9:24;
Acts 11:9;
Hebrews 9:28; cf.
Winer's Grammar, § 51, 1d.; with
πάλιν added,
Matthew 26:42;
Acts 10:15 (
Homer, Odyssey 3, 161
ἐπί δεύτερον ἀυτις);
έ᾿ντω δευτέρῳ at the second time, Acts 7:13 (when they had come the second time);
δεύτερον in a partition
then, in the second place:
1 Corinthians 12:28.
Topical Lexicon
Concept of OrderThe Spirit-inspired writers employ δεύτερος and its inflected forms to mark God-ordained sequence. Whether enumerating commandments (Matthew 22:39), watches of the night (Luke 12:38), sections of the tabernacle (Hebrews 9:7), or stages of final judgment (Revelation 20:6), the word underscores that the Lord governs history with purposeful order. First things serve as types, and second things bring either fuller grace or intensified accountability.
Covenant and Commandments
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:39). In the synoptic Gospels the adjective spotlights the love command that flows from the first duty to love God. The pairing shows that genuine covenant fidelity expresses itself vertically and horizontally; neglect of either violates the whole law (Mark 12:31).
Worship and Tabernacle Imagery
Hebrews employs δεύτερος three times to contrast the first and second compartments of the Mosaic sanctuary. “But only the high priest entered the second room, and only once a year, and never without blood” (Hebrews 9:7). The “second veil” (Hebrews 9:3) separated sinners from God, while Christ’s torn flesh now opens “the new and living way.” Thus, the word accents both the limitations of the old economy and the access secured by the new covenant.
Christology: The Second Man
“The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47). Paul sets Adam and Christ in deliberate sequence: the first brought death, the second brings resurrection life. Biblical theology therefore traces a movement from creation in Adam to re-creation in Jesus Christ, affirming a unified but escalating redemptive plan.
Divine Revelation and Confirmation
Repeated revelation often comes “a second time.” Peter hears the heavenly voice again (Acts 10:15; 11:9), Joseph is recognised on a second visit (Acts 7:13), and Paul writes a second letter “to stir you to wholesome thinking” (2 Peter 3:1). A second act confirms the word and eliminates excuse; grace gives clarity, yet it also heightens responsibility (cf. Jude 5).
Discipleship and Church Discipline
Titus 3:10 instructs, “Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition.” The orderly progression—warning, confirmation, then separation—protects the flock and honours scriptural due process. Likewise Paul’s “second visit” warning to Corinth (2 Corinthians 13:2) models pastoral patience that is firm yet measured.
Narrative Sequences and Providential Deliverance
Luke’s parables and Acts’ narratives frequently mention “the second” servant, guard, or mina (Luke 19:18; Acts 12:10). These details are not casual; they remind readers that God monitors every stage of events. Passing the “first and second guards” dramatizes supernatural deliverance that renders human barriers impotent.
Sequential Judgments in Revelation
John records the second seal, the second living creature, the second angel, the second trumpet, and the second bowl (Revelation 6:3; 8:8; 16:3; 19:3). The pattern demonstrates escalating judgment. Whereas the first act warns, the second intensifies. The structure stresses that divine wrath is neither random nor premature; it follows a righteous, ordered progression.
Eschatology: The Second Death
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them” (Revelation 20:6; see also 2:11; 20:14; 21:8). The phrase sums up eternal separation from God in the lake of fire. For believers, the second death is rendered powerless; for the unrepentant, it seals destiny. The same term therefore proclaims both gospel comfort and solemn warning.
Hope of Christ’s Second Appearance
Hebrews 9:28 anticipates that Christ “will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.” The word “second” here anchors the doctrine of the visible, victorious return of Jesus. His first coming accomplished atonement; His second will consummate redemption and judgment, perfectly harmonizing the two.
Pastoral and Devotional Implications
1. Recognise God’s orderly working; nothing unfolds haphazardly.
2. Let the “second commandment” compel practical love for people.
3. Approach worship confidently, for the “second veil” is gone.
4. Warn, then warn again—church discipline follows scriptural sequence.
5. Live in hope: the “second man” secures the victory, and the “second death” cannot harm those in Christ.
Summary
Strong’s 1208 threads through the New Testament as a quiet but powerful witness to divine order, progressive revelation, and ultimate consummation. From the second great commandment to the second death, Scripture uses the term to contrast beginnings and endings, shadows and substance, warning and fulfillment. The believer who traces these occurrences gains fresh assurance that the God who authored the “second” will also perfect what He has begun.
Forms and Transliterations
δευτερα δευτέρα δευτέρᾳ δευτεραν δευτέραν δευτερας δευτέρας δεύτεροι δευτερον δευτέρον δεύτερον δευτερος δεύτερος δεύτερός δευτερου δευτέρου δευτερω δευτέρω δευτέρῳ δεύτερω δευτερώσαι δευτερώσατε δευτερώσεως δευτερώσητε δευτερώσω εδευτέρωσαν εδευτέρωσεν ἑτέρῳ deutera deutéra deutérāi deuteran deutéran deuteras deutéras deutero deuterō deutéroi deutérōi deuteron deúteron deuteros deúteros deúterós deuterou deutérou etero eterō hetero heterō hetéroi hetérōi
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