Greek word · G3336

μετάληψις

metalēpsis

partaking of

Receiving a share, taking part in, partaking. It is the noun of metalambanō, "to receive one's portion, partake", used of eating together in Acts 2:46 and 27:33–34.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

μετά-λημψις (Rec. -ληψις), -εως, ἡ

(μεταλαμβάνω)

participation, taking, receiving: of food, 1 Timothy 4:3.†

(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 4:3

Range of meaning: Receiving a share, taking part in, partaking. It is the noun of metalambanō, "to receive one's portion, partake", used of eating together in Acts 2:46 and 27:33–34.
Against the English: "Received" (BSB, KJV, ESV and most others) is correct but colourless. NASB's "gratefully shared in" brings out the sense of taking a portion. The Greek word means eating, not merely accepting the idea that food is acceptable.
Used elsewhere in the period: It occurs only here in the New Testament. In ordinary Greek it is used for taking a share of something (BDAG). The verb is used with food in Acts and in Hellenistic writers.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 4:3 μετάλημψιν reception

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Here: "Partaking". The word occurs only here in the New Testament. It means taking your share of something, and here that means eating. The word has a communal feel: the food is meant to be shared at a table.

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