εὐοδόω

From the study of 1 Corinthians 16:2

Range of meaning

Built from εὖ ("well") + ὁδός ("road"): literally "to have a good journey, be led along a good road". By the first century it was used mostly in a figurative sense: to succeed, prosper, get along well, have things go well. It is usually passive ("be prospered", "be granted success").

Against the English

KJV "as God hath prospered him" adds "God" (in italics) to explain the passive. BSB/NIV "income" turns a general idea of success into a modern salary concept. ESV/WEB "as he may prosper" stay closest.

How it drifted

"Income" assumes regular wages. Many Corinthian believers were artisans, small traders, freed slaves or slaves (1 Cor 1:26–28; 7:21) whose gains were irregular. "Prospered" in modern ears can also suggest the "prosperity" of wealth teaching, which the word does not carry here.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the LXX it is used often of God granting success to a journey or task (Gen 24:21, 40, 56; 39:3, 23; Josh 1:8). In the NT: Rom 1:10 (Paul praying that he "may succeed" in coming to Rome) and 3 John 2 ("that you may prosper ... as your soul prospers"). In papyri it is used for things going well.

From the study of 3 John 1:2

Range of meaning

Literally 'to lead along a good road' (eu, 'well' + hodos, 'road'). In the passive, 'to have a good journey'. By the Hellenistic period (roughly the four centuries before and after Alexander) it was used broadly: 'to succeed', 'to get along well', 'for things to turn out well'. BDAG gives 'to have things turn out well, prosper, succeed', and notes the literal journey sense had largely faded.

Against the English

KJV, BSB, WEB, YLT and NASB say 'prosper'. NIV and ESV say 'all may go well with you' and 'goes well with your soul'. Today 'prosper' strongly suggests money, so the second group is closer to the Greek.

How it drifted

In 1611 'prosper' meant 'to fare well, succeed, flourish' in any sphere. Over time 'prosperity' narrowed toward wealth. Twentieth-century teaching built on this verse narrowed it further to financial increase.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) it translates the Hebrew verb tsalach, 'to succeed'. In Genesis 24:21, 27, 40, 42, 56 Abraham's servant asks whether the LORD has 'prospered his way', which is the journey sense. Elsewhere it is general success (e.g. Joshua 1:8, 2 Chronicles 32:30). In the NT, Romans 1:10 has Paul praying that he 'may succeed' in coming to Rome. In 1 Corinthians 16:2 believers set money aside 'as he may prosper', i.e. as their income allows. That is the one place in the NT where the sense touches money, and there it simply means however one is doing.

From the study of Romans 1:10

Range of meaning

Built from εὖ ('well') and ὁδός ('road, way'). Literally it means to lead someone along a good road or to have a good journey. By the first century it was mostly used figuratively: to prosper, to succeed, to have things turn out well. In the passive (as here) it means to be granted success or to have things go well for you.

Against the English

KJV and YLT 'have a prosperous journey' bring out the road picture inside the word. WEB 'be prospered' keeps the old English sense of 'prosper' (to succeed). BSB and most modern versions say 'succeed in coming'. One modern version speaks of the way being opened, which brings back the road picture.

How it drifted

English 'prosper' and 'prosperous' have narrowed toward financial wealth. A modern reader may hear 'a prosperous journey' as a well-funded or luxurious trip. The Greek is about the journey succeeding: the road being clear and the plan working out. Money is not in view.

Used elsewhere in the period

Very common in the Septuagint, especially in the story of Abraham's servant traveling to find a wife for Isaac. 'The LORD... will prosper your way' (Gen 24:40), and the servant waits to learn 'whether the LORD had prospered his journey' (Gen 24:21). Those are journeys led by God, as this one would be. In the NT the word appears only here, 1 Cor 16:2 ('as he may prosper', of a person's earnings), and 3 John 2 (twice), where it has the general sense 'go well'. Standard lexicons (BDAG) give 'to have things turn out well, prosper, succeed'.