Understanding αὐτός (autos) Strong’s G846: The Profound Self-Identity That Reveals Divine Character and Personal Presence

Pronunciation Guide: ow-TOS (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G846: The Greek pronoun αὐτός is one of the most frequently used words in the New Testament, serving as the primary third-person pronoun meaning “he,” “she,” “it,” or “they” depending on its grammatical form. Beyond its basic pronominal function, αὐτός carries deeper meanings of identity, emphasizing “self” or “same,” often pointing to the essential nature or unique identity of a person or thing. When used with the definite article, it intensifies to mean “the very one” or “the same,” highlighting unchanging nature or precise identity.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Personal and intensive pronoun
• Origin: Pure Greek (not borrowed from Hebrew or other languages)
• Primary Usage: Narrative texts, didactic (teaching) passages, and theological discourse
• Frequency: One of the most common words in the New Testament (over 5,500 occurrences)
• Function: Serves both as a personal pronoun and an intensive identifier

αὐτός Morphology:

• Masculine Forms:
• αὐτός (nominative singular) – he himself
• αὐτοῦ (genitive singular) – of him, his
• αὐτῷ (dative singular) – to/for him
• αὐτόν (accusative singular) – him
• αὐτοί (nominative plural) – they themselves
• αὐτῶν (genitive plural) – of them, their
• αὐτοῖς (dative plural) – to/for them
• αὐτούς (accusative plural) – them
• Feminine Forms:
• αὐτή (nominative singular) – she herself
• αὐτῆς (genitive singular) – of her, her
• αὐτῇ (dative singular) – to/for her
• αὐτήν (accusative singular) – her
• αὐταί (nominative plural) – they themselves (feminine)
• αὐτῶν (genitive plural) – of them, their
• αὐταῖς (dative plural) – to/for them (feminine)
• αὐτάς (accusative plural) – them (feminine)
• Neuter Forms:
• αὐτό (nominative/accusative singular) – it itself
• αὐτοῦ (genitive singular) – of it, its
• αὐτῷ (dative singular) – to/for it
• αὐτά (nominative/accusative plural) – they themselves, them (neuter)
• αὐτῶν (genitive plural) – of them, their
• αὐτοῖς (dative plural) – to/for them

Origin & History

The pronoun αὐτός has deep roots in classical Greek literature, appearing prominently in the works of Homer (8th century BCE), where it already carried both its basic pronominal meaning and its intensive “self” meaning. In Plato’s dialogues (4th century BCE), the word takes on philosophical significance, particularly when discussing identity and essence. When Plato writes about the “thing itself” (αὐτὸ τὸ πρᾶγμα) in his Republic, he is using αὐτός to point to the essential nature of something beyond appearances.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures completed around the 2nd century BCE, αὐτός became the standard translation for several Hebrew pronouns including הוּא (hu) and עַצְמוֹ (atzmo). This biblical usage prepared the way for the New Testament authors, who employed αὐτός with remarkable theological precision. The early Church Fathers, particularly Origen in his Hexapla and John Chrysostom in his homilies, noted the significance of αὐτός in passages referring to the Messiah, particularly in how it established His divine identity and self-existing nature.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Personal Pronoun – The most basic function, referring to a person or thing previously mentioned (“he,” “she,” “it,” “they”)
• Intensive Pronoun – Emphasizing identity or exclusivity (“himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “themselves”)
• Identical/Same – Indicating continuity or constancy (“the same,” “the very one”)
• Reflexive – Indicating action directed back to the subject (“himself,” “herself”)
• Emphatic Demonstrative – Pointing with emphasis (“that very one”)

αὐτός Translation Options:

• “He/She/It/They” – When functioning as a simple personal pronoun, particularly when following a noun to which it refers
• “Himself/Herself/Itself/Themselves” – When used to emphasize identity or in reflexive contexts
• “The same” – When preceded by the definite article and emphasizing continuity or constancy
• “The very one” – When used in an emphatic demonstrative sense to single out with precision
• “This/That very” – When functioning as a proximate or distant demonstrative with emphasis

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, αὐτός appears over 5,500 times, making it one of the most frequently used Greek words. Its usage ranges from simple pronoun references to profound theological statements about identity. Matthew’s Gospel begins by employing αὐτός in its genealogical account (Matthew 1:2), establishing clear identity and lineage. In John’s Gospel, αὐτός takes on special significance when referring to Jesus, emphasizing His divine self-existence and unchanging nature.

Perhaps most theologically significant is the usage in Hebrews 13:8, where αὐτός (in the form ὁ αὐτός – “the same”) underscores the unchanging nature of the Messiah: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This usage demonstrates how αὐτός can move beyond mere pronominal function to express profound theological truths about constancy and immutability. Similarly, in the “I Am” statements of Jesus in John’s Gospel, the emphatic “I” (ἐγώ εἰμι) is often paired with forms of αὐτός to reinforce the divine self-identity of the Messiah.

• “Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his [αὐτοῦ] brothers.” Matthew 1:2
• “And He [αὐτός] opened His mouth and taught them, saying…” Matthew 5:2
• “Jesus Christ is the same [ὁ αὐτός] yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
• “For He Himself [αὐτὸς] is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” Ephesians 2:14
• “And He [αὐτός] is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17
• “For He Himself [αὐτὸς] has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5
• “He Himself [αὐτὸς] will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Cultural Insights

In the Jewish cultural context of the first century, precise identity was of paramount importance, particularly regarding lineage and inheritance rights. The careful use of αὐτός in genealogical passages reflects this cultural emphasis on establishing clear identity. The Hebrew mind understood identity as more than mere differentiation from others—it encompassed essence, character, and continuity through time. This understanding illuminates why αὐτός is used so precisely in passages about divine identity.

A fascinating insight comes from ancient Jewish legal contexts, where the phrase “the man himself” (αὐτὸς ὁ ἀνήρ) was used in testimony to distinguish firsthand versus secondhand accounts. This legal precision carried over into the Gospel accounts, where eyewitness testimony is often marked by forms of αὐτός to indicate direct, reliable witness. When the Gospel writers emphasize that they themselves (αὐτοί) saw something, they are invoking this legal-cultural concept of authenticated testimony, assuring readers of the reliability of their accounts according to standards their first-century Jewish audience would immediately recognize.

Theological Significance

The theological richness of αὐτός becomes apparent when we consider its use in passages describing the divine nature. When Hebrews declares that Jesus Christ is “the same” (ὁ αὐτός) yesterday, today, and forever, it echoes the unchanging nature of Yahweh expressed in the Old Testament: “I, יהוה (Yahweh), do not change” (Malachi 3:6). This identity language establishes a direct connection between the immutability of God in the Hebrew Scriptures and the unchanging nature of the Messiah, forming a profound christological statement through a seemingly simple pronoun.

In Colossians 1:17, Paul writes that “He Himself” (αὐτός) is before all things, and in Him all things consist. The emphatic use of αὐτός here points to the self-existence of the Messiah—His independent, eternal being that precedes and sustains creation. This theological usage transforms αὐτός from a mere grammatical element to a profound declaration about divine self-existence and sustaining power. Similarly, in John’s prologue, when describing the eternal Word, the Gospel writer carefully employs forms of αὐτός to underscore that the Word was not merely with God, but possessed the very same divine essence—pointing to the Messiah’s full deity while maintaining the distinction of persons within the Godhead.

Personal Application

Understanding the depth of meaning in αὐτός invites us to reflect on our own identity in the Messiah. When Scripture declares that we are “in Him” (ἐν αὐτῷ), it is not merely stating a positional truth but identifying us with the unchanging, eternal nature of the Messiah Himself. Our identity is anchored not in shifting circumstances or cultural definitions but in the immutable character of our Savior—”the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

This stability of identity transforms how we navigate life’s changes and challenges. Just as forms of αὐτός emphasize continuity through time, our spiritual journey is marked by the faithful presence of the One who declared, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). The next time you read “He Himself” or “the same” in your Bible, pause to appreciate how this simple Greek pronoun αὐτός is highlighting the unchanging character of God and the security of your identity founded in His constancy and faithfulness.

Related Words

• ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) [eh-KAY-nos] – “that one” (more distant demonstrative pronoun); while αὐτός often refers to someone or something in immediate focus, ἐκεῖνος typically points to someone or something more distant in the discourse, creating more separation than αὐτός. See G1565
• οὗτος (houtos) [HOO-tos] – “this one” (proximate demonstrative pronoun); contrasts with αὐτός by specifically pointing to someone or something near in context, while αὐτός more often emphasizes identity or sameness. See G3778
• ἑαυτοῦ (heautou) [heh-ow-TOO] – “of himself” (reflexive pronoun); a compound form related to αὐτός but used exclusively in reflexive contexts where the action reflects back on the subject, whereas αὐτός has broader application. See G1438
• ἴδιος (idios) [EE-dee-os] – “one’s own” (possessive adjective); while αὐτός can indicate general possession, ἴδιος specifically emphasizes personal ownership or particular relationship, highlighting belonging in a way αὐτός does not. See G2398
• ὁ αὐτός (ho autos) [ho ow-TOS] – “the same” (identity construction); this specific construction of the definite article with αὐτός creates an emphatic statement of unchanging identity, particularly important in theological contexts describing divine immutability. Part of G846

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, αὐτός remains the standard third-person pronoun, demonstrating the remarkable stability of this word through nearly three millennia of linguistic evolution. When Greeks today say “αυτός” (in the modern pronunciation), they are using essentially the same word that appears in ancient biblical texts, creating a living bridge to the language of the New Testament that few biblical languages maintain so directly.
• The emphatic use of αὐτός in the phrase “Jesus Himself” (αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς) appears at critical junctures in the Gospel narratives, particularly in resurrection accounts. This usage served a specific evidential purpose in the ancient world, where legal testimony distinguished between direct and indirect witness. By employing this construction, the Gospel writers were making a strong legal-type attestation that the resurrected Messiah was the very same person who had been crucified, countering early challenges to resurrection belief.
• The Septuagint translators made a theologically significant choice in Genesis 3:15 by translating the Hebrew pronoun הוּא (hu) as αὐτός when referring to the promised seed who would crush the serpent’s head. This masculine form (rather than the grammatically expected neuter to match “seed”) has been seen by many interpreters as an early linguistic pointer to the personal, masculine identity of the coming Messiah—a subtle grammatical choice with profound messianic implications that influenced New Testament understanding of this proto-evangelium (first gospel promise).

Remember This

αὐτός reminds us that in a world of constant change, our God remains immutably the same—His identity unwavering, His character consistent, His promises reliable across all time and circumstances.