Greek word · Strong's G3551

νόμος

nómos · noun · “law”

In a sentence

Nomos means law — most often the Law of Moses, but also any rule or principle. Paul shows that the law reveals sin but cannot save; only Christ does.

Nomos is the Greek for law. The New Testament uses it for the Mosaic Law, for the Old Testament as a whole (“the Law and the Prophets”), and for principles that govern life and conduct.

Paul’s key insight in Romans and Galatians is that the law is good but cannot save: it reveals our need rather than supplying our cure. Salvation is by faith in Christ; the law then becomes a guide for those already saved by grace.

Strong's reference

Definition: law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)

KJV usage: law

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Romans 3:20 “Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.” Galatians 3:24 “So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.