Greek word · G1308
διαφέρω
diapherō
to spread/surpass
Literally 'carry through or across'. From that: to differ, and with a genitive, to excel, surpass, or be worth more than (BDAG).
Appears 13 times in 13 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
δια-φέρω
[in LXX for שְׁנָא (שְׁנָא (Daniel 7:1-28 only); 1Ki.17:39, Esther 3:13, al. ;]
1. trans.,
(a) to carry through: before διά, Mark 11:16;
(b) to carry about, spread abroad: pass., Acts 13:49 27:27.
2. Intrans.,
(a) to differ: τὰ διαφέροντα, Romans 2:18, Philippians 1:10 (R, mg., but see infr.); impers., διαφέρει, it makes a difference, it matters: Galatians 2:6;
(b) to excel: with genitive Matthew 6:26 10:31 12:12, Luke 12:7, 24, 1 Corinthians 15:41, Galatians 4:1; τὰ διαφέροντα, Romans 2:18, Philippians 1:10 (R, txt.; for discussion and reff. see ICC on Ro, Phi, ll. with).†
(AS)
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Matthew 6:26
- Range of meaning
Literally 'carry through or across'. From that: to differ, and with a genitive, to excel, surpass, or be worth more than (BDAG).
- Against the English
'More valuable' (BSB, NIV), 'of more value' (WEB, ESV), 'worth much more' (NASB) are all accurate. KJV's 'better' is accurate in older English but now sounds like a moral judgment.
- How it drifted
In 1611, 'better' in this kind of sentence still meant 'of greater worth'. Today 'better than' usually suggests moral or personal superiority.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Matthew uses the same word for the same how-much-more argument in 10:31 ('you are of more value than many sparrows') and 12:12 ('how much more valuable is a man than a sheep'). Luke 12:24 also uses it: 'how much more valuable you are than the birds.'
From the study of Philippians 1:10
- Range of meaning
Present participle of diapherō, 'carry apart / differ'. It can mean (1) 'the things that differ', i.e. distinctions to be drawn; or (2) 'the things that stand out', the superior things, the things that matter (compare Matt 10:31, 'you are worth more [diapherete] than many sparrows').
- Against the English
KJV/ESV 'things that are excellent' and BSB/NIV 'what is best' take sense (2). YLT 'the things that differ' takes sense (1). NLT 'what really matters' captures what is at stake well.
- Used elsewhere in the period
In Stoic ethics adiaphora ('things that do not differ', i.e. indifferent matters) were things like wealth or health, which make no moral difference. Ta diapheronta is the natural opposite: what actually counts. Paul's readers in a Greek-speaking colony could hear this. Rom 2:18 uses the same phrase.
- Range of meaning
Literally 'carry through, carry across, carry in different directions' (of things, or of a ship driven about, Acts 27:27). Figuratively 'differ, be different', hence 'be superior, be worth more' (Matt 6:26; 10:31), and impersonally 'it matters' (Gal 2:6).
- Against the English
All the major versions rightly translate 'carry'. The supplied gloss 'spread/surpass' gives the figurative senses, which do not apply here.
- Used elsewhere in the period
The literal sense 'carry through' is found in classical and Koine Greek. The New Testament mostly uses the figurative senses. This verse is one of the few literal ones.
Similar words
Where it appears
Matthew · 3
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Matthew 6:26 διαφέρετε are more valuable
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Here: With a genitive ('than them') it means to stand out above or be of greater worth than. The question is about value in the Father's eyes, not about being morally better.
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Matthew 10:31 διαφέρετε are worth more
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Here: "You surpass / you are worth more than." A present-tense statement of fact, not a wish: in the Father's reckoning the disciples outrank the birds he already watches over.
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Matthew 12:12 διαφέρει is more valuable
How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Mark · 1
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Mark 11:16 διενέγκῃ may carry
And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
Here: This is the literal sense, 'carry across, carry from one side to the other' (dia 'through' + pherō 'carry'), not the common sense 'differ, be worth more'. Together with 'through the temple' it pictures people crossing the precinct with loads.
Luke · 2
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Luke 12:7 διαφέρετε.¶ you are more valuable.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Here: 'You stand above', 'you are superior to'. With the genitive it means 'you are worth more than'. It is present tense, so this describes their standing now, not a reward later. Coming after the market prices of v.6, it carries a note of value and price.
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Luke 12:24 διαφέρετε are valuable
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!
Here: 'You stand apart from and above'. It speaks of a difference in rank and worth, not a price. The same verb is used in 12:7 ('you are worth more than many sparrows').
Acts · 2
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Acts 13:49 διεφέρετο Was carried
And the word of the Lord spread throughout that region.
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Acts 27:27 διαφερομένων being driven about
On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land.
Romans · 1
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Romans 2:18 διαφέροντα being superior
if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
Here: 'The things that differ', and so the things that stand out or really matter. It can mean the better things, or the differences between things (right and wrong, important and trivial). Either way, the person claims moral judgment trained to tell what counts.
1 Corinthians · 1
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1 Corinthians 15:41 διαφέρει differs
The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
Galatians · 2
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Galatians 2:6 διαφέρει· makes a difference;
But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me.
Here: 'Makes a difference, matters'. A common Greek phrase for indifference: their rank does not change anything.
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Galatians 4:1 διαφέρει he differs
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.
Philippians · 1
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Philippians 1:10 διαφέροντα, being excellent,
so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Here: 'The things that differ' and so 'the things that really matter / are superior'. It means telling what is important from what is not, not just right from wrong.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.