Greek word · G1884

ἐπαρκέω

eparkeō

to help

In classical and Koine Greek: to be enough for, to supply or furnish, to come to someone's aid, to relieve. It is built on ἀρκέω, "to be sufficient", so it carries the idea of meeting a need adequately: giving enough, not just a token.

Appears 3 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπ-αρκέω, -ῶ

[in LXX: 1Ma.8:26 1Mac 11:35 * ;]

1. to be strong enough for.

2. to ward off.

3. to aid, relieve: with dative of person(s), 1 Timothy 5:10 5:16 (mid., WH, mg.).†

(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 1 Timothy 5:16

Range of meaning

In classical and Koine Greek: to be enough for, to supply or furnish, to come to someone's aid, to relieve. It is built on ἀρκέω, "to be sufficient", so it carries the idea of meeting a need adequately: giving enough, not just a token.

Against the English

BSB and NASB use "assist", ESV "care for", NIV "help", KJV "relieve". "Help" and "assist" can sound occasional or partial. The Greek, especially in the ongoing present tense, means actually supporting someone, keeping them provided for. KJV's "relieve" meant this in 1611, but today it suggests easing pain or taking over someone's shift.

How it drifted

KJV "relieve" once meant "give aid or relief to the needy" (compare older "poor relief"). That sense has faded in everyday English, so a modern KJV reader may not hear material support.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in classical authors for supplying help or provisions. It appears in the Greek of 1 Maccabees for supplying an ally, and in papyri for providing for someone. In the New Testament it occurs only in this chapter: v. 10 (the model widow "has helped the afflicted") and twice in v. 16.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 3

  1. 1 Timothy 5:10 ἐπήρκεσεν, she has imparted relief,

    and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

    Here: To give practical help that meets a need. The same verb appears twice in v. 16, where the church is to 'relieve' widows in real need, so the widow being enrolled for support must herself have been someone who relieved others.

  2. 1 Timothy 5:16 ἐπαρκείτω ἐπαρκέσῃ.¶ she should help, it may impart relief.

    If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.

    Here: "Let her keep helping them". A third-person command in the present tense, so it means ongoing support, not a one-off gift. The verb means meeting someone's needs adequately: food, housing, upkeep.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.