Greek word · G1971

ἐπιποθέω

epipotheō

to long for

To long for, yearn after, desire earnestly. The prefix intensifies the simple verb 'to desire'. In Paul it is mostly used for longing for absent people (Rom 1:11; 1 Thess 3:6; 2 Tim 1:4; Phil 1:8; 2 Cor 9:14), or for a future state (2 Cor 5:2).

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπι-ποθέω, -ῶ

[in LXX for יָאַב, אָרַג, כָּסַף hi., etc. ;]

to long for, desire: with inf., Romans 1:11, 2 Corinthians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Timothy 1:4, Philippians 2:26 (WH, [txt.]); with accusative of thing(s), 1 Peter 2:2; with accusative of person(s), 2 Corinthians 9:14, Philippians 1:8 2:26 (WH, mg); absol., James 4:5 (see Mayor, in l).†

(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 Philippians 2:26

Range of meaning

To long for, yearn after, desire earnestly. The prefix intensifies the simple verb 'to desire'. In Paul it is mostly used for longing for absent people (Rom 1:11; 1 Thess 3:6; 2 Tim 1:4; Phil 1:8; 2 Cor 9:14), or for a future state (2 Cor 5:2).

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'longed after', BSB/ESV 'has been longing for', NIV 'longs for', NLT 'has been longing to see'. All accurate. The continuous English forms ('has been longing') best capture the Greek construction.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (LXX), Ps 42:1 (41:2 LXX): 'as the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.' It is common in ancient letters of friendship, where writers say they long to see the people they are writing to.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 5:2

Range of meaning

To long for, yearn after, desire earnestly. The epi- prefix points the desire toward its object and strengthens it.

Against the English

'Longing' (BSB, WEB, ESV) and 'earnestly desiring' (KJV, YLT) are both sound. The word carries warmth and ache, the way one misses a person, more than a cool wish.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Ps 41:2 (= Ps 42:1): 'As the deer longs for the springs of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.' Also LXX Ps 118:131 (119:131). Paul uses it repeatedly for missing people he loves: Rom 1:11; Phil 1:8; 2:26; 1 Thess 3:6; 2 Cor 9:14. Also 1 Pet 2:2 (newborns longing for milk).

From the study of 1 Thessalonians 3:6

Range of meaning

To long for, yearn after, strongly desire; the prefix intensifies an ordinary word for wanting or missing.

Against the English

KJV 'desiring greatly', YLT 'desiring much', modern versions 'longing'. All are fair; 'longing' captures the emotional ache best.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint Psalm 42:1 (41:2 LXX) 'as the deer longs for the streams'; Psalm 119:131. Paul uses it for longing for people (Romans 1:11; Philippians 1:8; 2:26).

Similar words

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 1:11 ἐπιποθῶ I long

    For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,

    Here: A strong word of personal longing, the kind of ache felt for people you love and miss. The present tense makes it ongoing: 'I keep longing.' It opens the verse with feeling, not with authority.

2 Corinthians · 2

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:2 ἐπιποθοῦντες· longing;

    For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,

    Here: An intense, directed longing, the word of the deer panting for water in Psalm 42 (LXX 41). As a present participle it explains the groaning: we groan because we long.

  2. 2 Corinthians 9:14 ἐπιποθούντων a longing

    And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Philippians · 2

  1. Philippians 1:8 ἐπιποθῶ I long after

    God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

    Here: Present tense: an ongoing, unsatisfied yearning for people who are absent. It is the ache of missing someone. The Greek Psalms use the same verb for a deer longing for water.

  2. Philippians 2:26 ἐπιποθῶν longing after

    For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

    Here: An intense, aching longing for people who are absent. It is the same verb Paul used of himself in 1:8 ('how I long for all of you'), so Epaphroditus shares the apostle's own affection for the church.

1 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 ἐπιποθοῦντες longing

    But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

    Here: An intense, yearning desire, the strong word for missing someone. Present tense: they keep longing.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 1:4 ἐπιποθῶν longing

    Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

    Here: A present participle: the longing goes on, it isn't a passing wish. Paul uses this word for wanting deeply to be with people he loves (Rom 1:11; Phil 1:8; 1 Thess 3:6), and it carries the ache of someone kept apart.

James · 1

  1. James 4:5 ἐπιποθεῖ yearns

    Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?

    Here: A strong, warm word for longing, used of the soul longing for God (Ps 42:1 in the Greek Old Testament) and Paul longing for his friends (Phil 1:8). Present tense: an ongoing yearning.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 2:2 ἐπιποθήσατε do crave

    Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

    Here: This is the main command of 2:1–3, a plural imperative addressed to the whole community. The word means intense, aching desire, like the deer panting for water in Psalm 42:1 (LXX). The tense is the simple one, presenting the craving as a whole rather than as a process.

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