προπέμπω

From the study of 3 John 1:6

Range of meaning

Literally 'send forward'. In ordinary Greek it can mean escorting a departing guest part of the way. In early Christian usage it became almost a technical term for equipping missionaries and church messengers for their onward journey: providing food, money, travel supplies, sometimes travel companions and letters of introduction (BDAG: 'to assist someone in making a journey, send on one's way with food, money, by arranging for companions, means of travel, etc.').

Against the English

'Send them on their way' (BSB, NASB, ESV) can sound like a wave goodbye at the door. KJV 'bring forward on their journey' and WEB 'send them forward on their journey' are closer, but no English phrase says plainly 'pay for and supply their trip'. The NLT's 'providing for' gets the practical side across.

How it drifted

The English idiom 'send someone on their way' now means little more than letting them leave, sometimes even dismissing them. The Greek term meant active, costly support.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul uses it the same way: Rom 15:24 (hoping the Romans will 'send me on' to Spain), 1 Cor 16:6, 11; 2 Cor 1:16; Titus 3:13 ('send Zenas and Apollos on their way… see that they lack nothing'); Acts 15:3; 20:38; 21:5. Titus 3:13 shows plainly that material supply is meant. Later, Didache 11–12 regulates how churches are to receive and send off travelling apostles and prophets.

From the study of Acts 15:3

Range of meaning

Literally 'to send forward.' In ordinary Greek it meant escorting a departing guest part of the way as a courtesy. Among early Christians it became a set expression for sending a travelling believer on with practical support: food, money, companions and introductions to the next community.

Against the English

'Sent on their way' (BSB, WEB) and 'brought on their way' (KJV) can sound like a farewell wave. The Greek usually implies that the congregation supplied and paid for the journey.

How it drifted

Modern travel is self-funded and private. Early Christian travel depended on a chain of hospitality, so the word carried a duty to provide that English 'send off' does not.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elsewhere in the New Testament: Acts 20:38 and 21:5 (escorting Paul to the ship), Romans 15:24, 1 Corinthians 16:6 and 11, 2 Corinthians 1:16, Titus 3:13 ('see that they lack nothing') and 3 John 6 ('send them on in a manner worthy of God'). Titus 3:13 and 3 John 6 show clearly that material support was included. Ordinary Greek and the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) use it for escorting a departing guest (e.g. 1 Esdras 4:47; Judith 10:15).

From the study of Acts 20:38

Range of meaning

To send forward, escort part of the way, see someone off. In early Christian use it also means to equip a traveller for the next stage of a journey (food, money, companions, letters of introduction).

Against the English

'Accompanied' is accurate for what happens here. It misses the sense of a recognised duty: escorting a departing guest or teacher was an expected act of honour and hospitality.

Used elsewhere in the period

Acts 15:3 (the church 'sent them on their way'); Acts 21:5 (the Tyrian believers with wives and children escort Paul to the beach); Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6, 11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Titus 3:13; 3 John 6 ('send them on in a manner worthy of God'). In ordinary Greek usage, escorting a departing guest was a standard courtesy.