Face
[ 1,,
G4383,
prosopon ]
denotes the countenance," lit., "the part towards the eyes" (from pros, "towards," ops, "the eye"), and is used
(a) of the "face,"
Matthew 6:16-
Matthew 6:17;
2 Corinthians 3:7, 2nd part (AV, "countenance"); in
2 Corinthians 10:7, in the RV, "things that are before your face" (AV, "outward appearance"), the phrase is figurative of superficial judgment;
(b) of the look, i.e., the "face," which by its various movements affords an index of inward thoughts and feelings, e.g.,
Luke 9:51,
Luke 9:53;
1 Peter 3:12;
(c) the presence of a person, the "face" being the noblest part, e.g.,
Acts 3:13, RV, "before the face of," AV, "in the presence of;"
Acts 5:41, "presence;"
2 Corinthians 2:10, "person;"
1 Thessalonians 2:17 (first part), "presence;"
2 Thessalonians 1:9, RV, "face," AV, "presence;"
Revelation 12:14, "face;"
(d) the person himself, e.g.,
Galatians 1:22;
1 Thessalonians 2:17 (second part);
(e) the appearance one presents by his wealth or poverty, his position or state,
Matthew 22:16;
Mark 12:14;
Galatians 2:6;
Jude 1:16;
(f) the outward appearance of inanimate things,
Matthew 16:3;
Luke 12:56;
Luke 21:35;
Acts 17:26.
To spit in a person's face was an expression of the utmost scorn and aversion, e.g.,
Matthew 26:67 (cp.
Matthew 27:30;
Mark 10:34;
Luke 18:32). See
APPEARANCE.
[ 2,,
G3799,
opsis ]
is primarily "the act of seeing;" then,
(a) "the face;" of the body of Lazarus,
John 11:44; of the "countenance" of Christ in a vision,
Revelation 1:16;
(b) the "outward appearance" of a person or thing,
John 7:24. See
APPEARANCE.
Note: The phrase "face to face" translates two phrases in Greek:
(1) kata prosopon (kata, "over against," and No. 1),
Acts 25:16;
(2) stoma pros stoma, lit., "mouth to mouth" (stoma, "a mouth"),
2 John 1:12;
3 John 1:14. See
MOUTH.
(3) For antophthalmeo,
Acts 27:15, RV, has "to face."
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words