καρποφόρος
fruitful
Definition
Karpophoros is an adjective meaning 'fruit-bearing' or 'fruitful,' describing something that produces fruit or yields a beneficial result. In its literal sense, it refers to agricultural fertility, such as land or seasons that bring forth crops. Figuratively, it can describe spiritual or moral productivity, like a life that yields good works. In the New Testament, its single use in Acts 14:17 refers to God providing 'fruitful seasons,' emphasizing physical provision.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 14:17, where Paul and Barnabas tell the people of Lystra that God 'did good and gave you from heaven fruitful seasons and filling your hearts with food and gladness.' Here, it describes agricultural seasons that yield abundant harvests, highlighting God's general providence and kindness in creation.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek words καρπός (karpos, G2590), meaning 'fruit' or 'produce,' and φέρω (pherō, G5342), meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry.' Thus, καρποφόρος literally means 'fruit-bearing.' It is a compound adjective commonly used in secular Greek to describe fertile land or productive trees.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word underscores the biblical theme of God as the provider and sustainer of creation. It connects to the doctrine of common grace, where God shows kindness to all people by granting fruitful harvests (Acts 14:17). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting how physical blessings point to God's generosity and faithfulness, a concept echoed in passages like Matthew 5:45 and James 1:17.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, agricultural success was vital for survival, and 'fruitful seasons' were often attributed to various gods. Paul's use in Acts 14:17 redirects this cultural understanding to the one true God, contrasting local pagan beliefs. The term would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society dependent on seasonal yields.
καρπογόνος (karpogonos, G2592) — also means 'fruitful,' but less common, with a focus on generating fruit. καρπός (karpos, G2590) — the noun 'fruit,' often used figuratively for spiritual outcomes (e.g., Galatians 5:22-23).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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