παρέχω

I offer, provide

Definition

The Greek verb παρέχω (parechō) primarily means 'to offer, provide, or supply.' It can describe the act of giving something tangible, such as hospitality (Luke 11:7) or a service (Acts 16:16). In a more abstract sense, it means to cause or bring about a situation, as in God providing proof to all people (Acts 17:31). It also carries the nuance of showing or presenting oneself in a certain way, as seen when Jesus says the woman has done a good deed for him (Matthew 26:10; Mark 14:6). The middle voice form often emphasizes the subject's personal involvement in providing or offering something.

Biblical Usage

Παρέχω appears 16 times in the New Testament, used in Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. It often occurs in narratives involving personal interaction, provision, or cause. In Luke, it describes refusing to provide help (Luke 11:7) and a widow causing trouble (Luke 18:5). In Acts, it denotes a slave girl providing profit (Acts 16:16) and God providing assurance (Acts 17:31). The usage spans literal provision of goods or services and the figurative causing of circumstances or proof.

Etymology

Derived from παρά (para, 'beside') and ἔχω (echō, 'to have' or 'to hold'), παρέχω literally means 'to hold beside' or 'to have at hand.' This root idea evolved into the meanings of offering, providing, or making available what one has. It is a common verb in Koine Greek with a range of application similar to its classical use.

Semantic Range

This word is significant in passages highlighting divine provision and human responsibility. In Acts 17:31, it underscores God's active role in providing evidence of Christ's resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian apologetics. In the Gospels (Matthew 26:10; Mark 14:6), it frames an act of worship (the anointing at Bethany) as a 'good service' provided to Jesus, enriching our understanding of devotion. Understanding παρέχω helps readers see both the practical and causative dimensions of God's and humanity's actions in the biblical narrative.

In the Greco-Roman world, παρέχω was a standard term for offering hospitality, services, or benefits, which were central to social relationships and patronage. The act of 'providing' or 'causing' carried expectations of reciprocity or consequence. For example, the slave girl providing profit (Acts 16:16) reflects her economic value in that culture, and the persistent widow causing trouble (Luke 18:5) illustrates a social nuisance that a judge would want to resolve.

δίδωμι (didōmi, G1325) — a more general term for 'to give,' without the specific nuance of providing from one's resources or causing an effect. ποιέω (poieō, G4160) — means 'to do' or 'to make,' focusing on action rather than the act of supplying or offering. προσφέρω (prospherō, G4374) — often 'to bring to' or 'to offer,' especially in a sacrificial or formal presenting context.

Word Details

Scripture References