Greek word · G2006

ἐπιτήδειος

epitēdeios

necessary

The adjective epitēdeios means suitable, fit, useful. As a neuter plural noun, ta epitēdeia was the everyday Greek term for necessities, provisions, supplies: an army's rations, a household's basics, a traveler's needs. This is its only appearance in the New Testament.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπιτήδειος, -α, -ον

[in LXX: 1 Chronicles 28:2, Wisdom of Solomon 4:5, 1Ma.4:46, al. ;]

1. suitable, convenient,

2. useful, necessary: τὰ ἐ., necessaries, James 2:16,†

(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 James 2:16

Range of meaning

The adjective epitēdeios means suitable, fit, useful. As a neuter plural noun, ta epitēdeia was the everyday Greek term for necessities, provisions, supplies: an army's rations, a household's basics, a traveler's needs. This is its only appearance in the New Testament.

Against the English

KJV/YLT "things needful to the body" is literal. BSB/NIV "physical needs" is accurate but more abstract. The Greek is concrete: actual supplies, the cloak and the bread.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in Hellenistic historians and moral writers for provisions (Xenophon and Thucydides on military supplies; Josephus on provisions and necessities). Also found in documentary papyri (everyday letters and records) for basic necessities.

Where it appears

James · 1

  1. James 2:16 ἐπιτήδεια needful things

    If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

    Here: "Necessities, provisions." It is the ordinary Greek word for basic supplies such as food, clothing and rations. James means the concrete things that keep a person alive, not comforts.

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