What does phusis mean?

Phusis (5449 in Strong's Concordance) is a noun in Ancient Greek that means nature, origin, or birth. It comes from the verb phuó, which means to bring forth, to produce, or to spring up.

It is a versatile word and used in a variety of different ways. Sometimes it describes deeply ingrained characteristics of a person or people, such as sexual behaviour or long hair that is contrary to nature. Othertimes it is used to talk about plants and animals such as branches of an olive tree or the varities of animals.

In almost all cases, phusis is intended to be a contrast between what is right by nature and wrong by nature.

This noun is well-represented in the English language but is sometimes translated into an adjective for readability purposes.

Related Terms

The following terms are often used in connection or contrast with psuchikos:

phuó - grow or produce
phusikos - natural and beast like
psuché - soul, life
apsuchos - lifeless
isopsuchos - likeminded
eupsucheó - to be encouraged
pneumatikos (contrast) - spiritual

Usage

Phusis is used 14 times across 11 verses. Below is a list of all references to phusis in the New Testament:

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;

Romans 1:26 ESV

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Romans 2:14 ESV

Then he who is physically [by nature] uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.

Romans 2:27 ESV

For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

Romans 11:21 ESV

For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Romans 11:24 ESV

Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him

1 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners

Galatians 2:15 ESV

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

Galatians 4:8 ESV

...among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2:3 ESV

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind

James 3:7 ESV

...by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Peter 1:4 ESV