The Greek word πρόσωπον prósōpon occurs 76 times in the New Testament and is translated into the English (New American Standard Bible) using 18 different words. This is important in the context of annihilationism as the word appears in 2 Thess. 1:9, “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” Since annihilationists sometimes referred to this verse in support of the final nonexistence of the wicked, it is necessary to see how the word is used in the New Testament. Of those 76 occurrences, 11 of them are translated into the English presence as is used in 2 Thess. 1:9. Of those 11 occurrences, 2 are strictly dealing with physical presence and proximity to different subjects (Acts 3:13; 5:41). Six could mean a physical or spiritual relationship (Luke 2:31; 2 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:24; Rev. 6:16; 12:14; 20:11), and 3 occurrences where it is primarily a spiritual presence that is spoken of (Acts 2:28; 3:19; 2 Cor. 2:10). In all cases, the subject exists in relation to one another. They do not cease to exist. However, the only possible exception to this would be Revelation 20:11 where it says that the earth and heaven fled away from the presence of God and that no place was found for them. This highly symbolic wording is difficult to understand since it talks about heaven and earth fleeing. What does that mean? Most probably it deals with the destruction of the old universe that makes way for the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 21:1).  So, away from the presence of God does not mean nonexistence. It deals with the severing of a relationship with God in eternal judgment.

• Greek word: πρόσωπον prósōpon
• Meaning: presence, face
• Strong’s #: G4383
• Frequency: 76 occurrences

Summary of the meaning of the 11 occurrences of the word prosopon as it is translated into the English “presence” in the NASB.

1. Physical presence, 2 occurrences
   1. Acts 3:13; 5:41
2. Physical, Spiritual presence, 6 occurrences
   1. Luke 2:31; 2 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:24; Rev. 6:16; 12:14; 20:11
3. Spiritual presence, 3 occurrences
   1. Acts 2:28; 3:19; 2 Cor. 2:10

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word prósōpon, face, presence, where it occurs in every instance of the New Testament, as is translated into the English in the new American Standard Bible.  There are 18 different English words and are as follows.

• Ahead, Luke 10:1
• Ahead of, Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 9:52; Luke 7:27
• Appearance, Matthew 6:16; 16:3; Luke 12:56; 2 Co 5:12r. ; James 1:1
• Before, asked 7:45; 13:24
• Face, Matthew 6:17; 17:2; 18:10; 26:39; 26:67; Luke 5:12; 9:29; 17:16; 21:35; 6:15; Acts 17:26; 20:25; 20:38; 1 Cor. 13:12; 14:25; 2 Cor. 3:7; 3:13; 3:18; 4:6; 11:20; Gal. 2:11; Col. 2:1; 1 Thess. 2:17; 3:10; James 1:23; 1 Pet. 3:12; Rev. 4:7; 10:1; 22:4; 17:6
• Faces, Luke 24:5; Rev. 7:11; 9:7
• Face to face, Acts 25:16; 2 Cor. 10:1
• Flattering people, Jude 16
• Openly before, 2 Cor. 8:24
• Outwardly, 2 Cor. 10:7
• Partial to any,
• Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14; 20:21
• Person, 1 Thess. 2:17; 2 Cor. 1:11
• Presence, Luke 2:31; Acts 2:28; 3:13; 3:19; 5:41; 2 Cor. 2:10; 2 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:24; Rev. 6:16; 12:14; 20:11
• Shows no partiality, Gal. 2:6
• Sight, Gal. 1:22
• To blindfold, Mark 14:65
• Was determined, Luke 9:51

 

TABLE 1 ALL OCCURRENCES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT USEAGES OF PROSOPON, πρόσωπον, INTO THE ENGLISH ‘PRESENCE’ (NASB)
Address	Verse	Word
Luke 2:31	Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,	Physical, Spiritual presence
Acts 2:28	‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE .’	Spiritual presence
Acts 3:13	“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.	Physical presence
Acts 3:19	“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;	Spiritual presence
Acts 5:41	So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.	Physical presence
2 Cor. 2:10	But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,	Spiritual presence
2 Thess. 1:9	These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,	Physical, Spiritual presence
Heb. 9:24	For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;	Physical presence
Rev. 6:16	and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;	Physical, Spiritual presence
Rev. 12:14	But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.	Physical, Spiritual presence
Rev. 20:11	Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.	Physical, Spiritual presence

Summary of meaning of the 11 occurrences of the word prosopon as it is translated into the English “presence” in the NASB.

1. Physical presence
   1. Acts 3:13; 5:41
2. Physical, Spiritual presence
   1. Luke 2:31; 2 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:24; Rev. 6:16; 12:14; 20:11
3. Spiritual presence
   1. Acts 2:28; 3:19; 2 Cor. 2:10

 

TABLE 2 ALL NEW TESTAMENT USEAGES OF PROSOPON, πρόσωπον
Address	Verse	Word
Matt. 6:16	“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.	appearance
Matt. 6:17	“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face	face
Matt. 11:10	“This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’	AHEAD OF
Matt. 16:3	“And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?	appearance
Matt. 17:2	And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.	face
Matt. 17:6	When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.	face down to the ground
Matt. 18:10	“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.	face
Matt. 22:16	And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.	partial to any
Matt. 26:39	And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”	face
Matt. 26:67	Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,	face
Mark 1:2	As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;	AHEAD OF
Mark 12:14	They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?	partial to any
Mark 14:65	Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.	to blindfold Him
Luke 2:31	Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,	presence
Luke 5:12	While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”	face
Luke 7:27	“This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’	AHEAD OF YOU
Luke 9:29	And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.	face
Luke 9:51	When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;	was determined
Luke 9:52	and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.	ahead of
Luke 9:53	But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.	• untranslated
Luke 10:1	Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.	ahead
Luke 12:56	“You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?	appearance
Luke 17:16	and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.	face
Luke 20:21	They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth.	partial to any
Luke 21:35	for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.	face
Luke 24:5	and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?	faces
Acts 2:28	‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE .’	presence
Acts 3:13	“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.	presence
Acts 3:19	“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;	presence
Acts 5:41	So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.	presence
Acts 6:15	And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.	face
Acts 7:45	“And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David.	before
Acts 13:24	after John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.	before
Acts 17:26	and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,	face
Acts 20:25	“And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face .	face
Acts 20:38	grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.	face
Acts 25:16	“I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges.	face to face
1 Cor. 13:12	For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.	face to face
1 Cor. 14:25	the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.	face
2 Cor. 1:11	you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.	persons
2 Cor. 2:10	But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,	presence
2 Cor. 3:7	But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face , fading as it was,	face
2 Cor. 3:13	and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.	face
2 Cor. 3:18	But we all, with unveiled face , beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.	face
2 Cor. 4:6	For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.	face
2 Cor. 5:12	We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.	appearance
2 Cor. 8:24	Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.	openly before
2 Cor. 10:1	Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!	when face to face
2 Cor. 10:7	You are looking at things as they are outwardly . If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.	outwardly
2 Cor. 11:20	For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face .	face
Gal. 1:22	I was still unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;	sight
Gal. 2:6	But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) —well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.	shows no partiality
Gal. 2:11	But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face , because he stood condemned.	face
Col 2:1	For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face ,	face
1 Thess. 2:17	But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face .	person
1 Thess. 3:10	as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face , and may complete what is lacking in your faith?	face
2 Thess. 1:9	These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,	presence
Heb. 9:24	For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;	presence
James 1:11	For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.	appearance
James 1:23	For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;	face
1 Pet 3:12	“FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”	FACE
Jude 16	These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.	flattering people
Rev. 4:7	The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.	face
Rev. 6:16	and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;	presence
Rev. 7:11	And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,	faces
Rev. 9:7	The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.	faces
Rev. 9:7	The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.	faces
Rev. 10:1	I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire;	face
Rev. 11:16	And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,	faces
Rev. 12:14	But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.	presence
Rev. 20:11	Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.	presence
Rev. 22:4	they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.	face

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “πρόσωπον prósōpon; gen. prosṓpou, neut. noun from prós (4314), toward, and ṓps (n.f., see skuthrōpós [4659]), the eye or face. Literally the part toward, at, or around the eye. Hence, the face, countenance, presence, person.”
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
• “the front part of the human head—‘face.’ πρόσωπονa: ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος ‘his face shone like the sun’ Mt 17:2. ὄψιςa: ἡ ὄψις αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος φαίνει ‘his face was shining like the sun’ Re 1:16.”
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
• ” AV translates as “face” 55 times, “person” seven times, “presence” seven times, “countenance” three times, not translated once, and translated miscellaneously five times. 1 the face. 1A the front of the human head. 1B countenance, look. 1B1 the face so far forth as it is the organ of sight, and by it various movements and changes) the index of the inward thoughts and feelings.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.