ἀδάπανος

without expense, free

Definition

The adjective ἀδάπανος means 'without expense' or 'free of charge.' It describes something that is provided or received without requiring any payment or cost. In its single New Testament occurrence in 1 Corinthians 9:18, it specifically refers to the Apostle Paul's practice of preaching the gospel without demanding financial support from the churches he served, thereby making his ministry 'free' to his hearers. The word emphasizes the voluntary, non-obligatory nature of a gift or service.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 9:18. Here, Paul employs it to describe his apostolic policy of not exercising his right to receive material support, so that he might present the gospel ἀδάπανος—without imposing any financial burden. The context is Paul's defense of his apostolic rights and his deliberate choice to forgo them for the sake of the gospel's advance and to avoid any hindrance to its reception.

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative prefix ἀ- (a-, meaning 'not' or 'without') combined with the root δαπάνη (dapanē), meaning 'cost,' 'expense,' or 'outlay.' The compound directly conveys the sense of 'costless' or 'incurring no expense.' It is related to the verb δαπανάω (dapanaō, 'to spend' or 'to expend').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it illustrates a key principle of gospel ministry and Christian generosity. Paul's choice to make his ministry ἀδάπανος was a strategic and sacrificial act to ensure the gospel message itself was not commodified or seen as a transaction. It underscores the freeness of God's grace and the call for servants of the gospel to sometimes relinquish legitimate rights for the greater good of the mission, preventing any obstacle to the message of salvation offered freely in Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:7).

In the Greco-Roman world, traveling philosophers, teachers, and orators often relied on patronage or charged fees for their services. Paul's insistence on a self-supporting, cost-free ministry (often through tentmaking, Acts 18:3) would have been counter-cultural. It distinguished his motives from those of charlatans and demonstrated that his message was a genuine gift, not a means of financial gain.

δωρεάν (dōrean, G1432) — An adverb meaning 'freely,' 'as a gift,' often emphasizing the gracious, unmerited nature of a benefit. While ἀδάπανος focuses on the absence of monetary cost, δωρεάν highlights the gift-like, gracious character.

Word Details

Scripture References