BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Houtō — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Houtō (G3779) is a Greek adverb meaning 'in this way,' used to point back to what was just said or forward to what follows.
Meaning of the word
Houtō is an adverb that translates simply as 'in this way,' 'thus,' or 'so.' It does not describe a quality or an action on its own; instead, it points the reader to the content of the surrounding sentence. The lexicon defines it as referring to what precedes or follows, which means the word is essentially a connector.
In many English translations the word is rendered as 'so,' 'thus,' 'even so,' or 'in this manner,' depending on what flows most naturally in English. The force of the word is carried by the surrounding context rather than by the adverb itself.
Usage in Scripture
In the Gospels, houtō appears frequently in Jesus' teaching. Matthew 5:16 uses it to connect the command about letting one's light shine to the purpose of glorifying the Father. In Matthew 6:9 it introduces the model prayer with 'After this manner therefore pray ye,' and in Matthew 7:12 it links the Golden Rule to the summary 'this is the law and the prophets.' John 3:14-16 uses it twice in quick succession to draw the parallel between the bronze serpent and the Son of Man being lifted up, and to introduce the famous 'For God so loved the world.'
In Paul's epistles, houtō often signals a comparison or analogy. Romans 5:12 and 5:15 use it to draw the parallel between Adam's trespass and Christ's gift, while Romans 4:18 quotes Genesis 15:5 with 'So shall thy seed be.' Romans 1:15 uses it in the simpler sense of 'so' or 'thus' to express readiness. Across these 22 occurrences, the word functions as a lightweight pointer, doing its work by linking the clause to its referent.
The word in detail
- G3779 Houtō (variant spelling houtōs) is an adverb of manner meaning 'in this way,' referring to what precedes or follows. Its role is connective rather than descriptive.
Example verses
- Matthew 7:12 Houtō introduces the Golden Rule and links Jesus' teaching to the summary 'this is the law and the prophets.'
- John 3:16 Here houtō gives the famous 'For God so loved the world' its force, pointing to the manner and measure of God's love expressed in the giving of his Son.
- Romans 5:12 Houtō signals the analogy between Adam and the entry of sin and death into the world, connecting the comparison to what precedes it.
- Romans 5:15 Used in a 'not as... so also' construction, houtō draws the contrast between the trespass and the far greater free gift.
Common questions
What does houtō mean in Greek?
It is an adverb meaning 'in this way,' 'thus,' or 'so.' It points to what was just said or to what is about to be said.
Is houtō the same as houtōs?
Yes. Houtō and houtōs are variant spellings of the same adverb, both listed under Strong's G3779.
How many times does houtō appear in the New Testament?
It appears 22 times across 21 distinct verses, including well-known passages like Matthew 7:12 and John 3:16.