Greek word · G3330

μεταδίδωμι

metadidōmi

to share

To give a share of, to impart, to pass on part of what one has to someone else (BDAG: 'give part of, impart, share').

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

μετα-δίδωμι

[in LXX: Proverbs 11:29 (שָׁבַר hi.), Wisdom of Solomon 7:13, al. ;]

to give a share of, impart: with dative of person(s) and accusative of thing(s) (in cl. more freq., with genitive part., but accusative of that which is imparted, whether part or whole, so here, see Bl., § 36, 1), Romans 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, and (with ellipse of accusative) Luke 3:11; with dative of person(s), Ephesians 4:28; absol., ὁ μεταδιδούς, Romans 12:8.†

(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 Ephesians 4:28

Range of meaning

To give a share of, to impart, to pass on part of what one has to someone else (BDAG: 'give part of, impart, share').

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'give' is fine. BSB 'share' and YLT 'impart' better keep the prefix μετα-, which carries the idea of a portion passed on: giving out of one's own resources, not a detached donation.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 3:11: John the Baptist, 'whoever has two tunics, let him share (μεταδότω) with the one who has none'. Rom 12:8: 'the one who shares (ὁ μεταδιδούς), in generosity'. 1 Thess 2:8: Paul was ready to 'share' not only the gospel but his own life.

From the study of Romans 1:11

Range of meaning

To give a share of something, to share what you have, to pass something on to someone. It is used of food, clothing, money and also of the gospel and of oneself.

Against the English

'Impart' (KJV, BSB, WEB, YLT, NIV, ESV) is a fair old rendering. Today, though, it can sound formal, like a teacher 'imparting' knowledge, and in some churches it means transferring spiritual power or anointing. 'Share' is the plainer sense. The NLT has 'bring.'

How it drifted

'Impart' once simply meant 'give a part of' (Latin impartiri). In some modern church use it has become a technical term for transferring a spiritual gift or anointing from one person to another.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 3:11 (whoever has two tunics should share with the one who has none). Rom 12:8 (the one who shares or contributes, 'in generosity'). Eph 4:28 (work so as to have something to share with those in need). 1 Thess 2:8 ('we were glad to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own selves').

From the study of Romans 12:8

Range of meaning

To give a share of something, to impart, to share what one has with another (BDAG). The prefix meta- ('with') carries the idea of sharing in common.

Against the English

'Giving' (BSB, KJV) and 'contributes' (ESV) are accurate but can suggest an offering plate or a donation to an institution. The Greek pictures one person sharing their own goods with another.

How it drifted

Modern church life tends to channel 'giving' into a budget, so readers hear finance and administration rather than direct sharing.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 3:11: 'whoever has two tunics, let him share (metadotō) with the one who has none.' Ephesians 4:28: work so as to have something 'to share with the one in need'. Paul uses it of sharing a spiritual gift (Romans 1:11) and 'sharing… our own lives' (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 3:11 μεταδότω he should impart

    John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

    Here: "Share out", "give a portion of what one has". It is a command form ("let him share"), and the verb describes one concrete act: hand over the second tunic.

Romans · 2

  1. Romans 1:11 μεταδῶ I may impart

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

    Here: To give someone a share of what you have. The picture is sharing your own goods, not an official handing something down from above (compare 1 Thess 2:8, 'to share not only the gospel but our own selves').

  2. Romans 12:8 μεταδιδοὺς giving

    if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

    Here: Literally 'giving-with', handing over part of what one has so others share in it. It describes sharing one's own goods (compare Luke 3:11, the one with two tunics; Ephesians 4:28), not paying into a fund.

Ephesians · 1

  1. Ephesians 4:28 μεταδιδόναι to impart

    He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

    Here: 'To give a share, pass on part of what one has.' The former taker becomes a sharer.

1 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 μεταδοῦναι to have imparted

    We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

    Here: To hand over something of your own so that another person has part in it. The same verb governs both objects, the gospel and their own selves. Pairing them that way is deliberately surprising.

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