σωματικῶς
sōmatikōs
G4985 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
In a bodily or physical manner; relating to or characterized by the body as opposed to the mind or spirit. The adverb σωματικῶς primarily describes the mode in which something is possessed, manifested, or experienced—in or through a physical, material body, as opposed to being spiritual, figurative, or merely conceptual.
Semantic Range
in a bodily manner, physically, corporeally, as belonging to the body, embodied, in tangible or material form
Root / Etymology
From the adjective σωματικός (pertaining to the body, corporeal), itself derived from σῶμα (body) + the adjectival suffix -ικός, with the adverbial ending -ῶς forming σωματικῶς (‘in a bodily manner’).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, σωματικῶς is rare but forms predictably from σωματικός. In the Koine period, notably in the New Testament (e.g., Colossians 2:9), it is used to emphasize the tangible, physical, or corporeal existence or manifestation of something, in contrast to symbolic, metaphorical, or spiritual realities. The term is often contrasted with πνευματικῶς ('spiritually'). English translations typically render σωματικῶς as 'bodily,' 'in bodily form,' or 'physically,' which captures its core sense, but may not always convey its potential contrast with non-corporeal or idealized phenomena in Greek thought. Its usage highlights Hellenistic philosophical distinctions between the material and immaterial realms, relevant both in philosophy and in religious texts. The term does not carry moral, ethical, or negative connotations by default, but simply denotes the physical, embodied aspect of whatever it qualifies.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from σωματικός; corporeally or physically:--bodily.
Root Family
σωματ- (sōmatikós) — body, physical, corporeal
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4984 | σωματικός | bodily |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4985-01 |
σωματικῶς | somatikos | ADV |
bodily | in bodily form | bodily | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4985-01 |
Colossians 2:9 | σωματικῶς | somatikos | ADV |
bodily | in bodily form | bodily |