Greek word · G469

ἀνταπόδοσις

antapodosis

reward

Repayment, requital, recompense. The word is built from anti ('in return') + apo ('back') + dosis ('a giving'). It is neutral: the repayment can be good (reward) or bad (retribution), depending on what is owed.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀντ-από-δοσις, -εως, ἡ

(see supr.), [in LXX chiefly for גְּמוּל, שִׁלּוּם ;]

recompense: Colossians 3:24 (MM, VGT, see word).†

(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 Colossians 3:24

Range of meaning

Repayment, requital, recompense. The word is built from anti ('in return') + apo ('back') + dosis ('a giving'). It is neutral: the repayment can be good (reward) or bad (retribution), depending on what is owed.

Against the English

'Reward' (KJV, NASB, ESV, BSB) sounds like a prize or bonus, which is only half the range. YLT's 'recompense' keeps the sense of exact settlement.

How it drifted

English 'reward' now suggests something extra given for good performance. The Greek idea is closer to a fair settling of accounts.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is its only use in the New Testament (the related antapodoma appears in Luke 14:12 and Rom 11:9). In the Greek Old Testament it is used for good: Ps 18:12 LXX (19:11), 'in keeping them is great antapodosis.' It is also used for judgment: Isa 61:2, 'the day of antapodosis'; Hos 9:7, 'the days of antapodosis have come.'

Similar words

Where it appears

Colossians · 1

  1. Colossians 3:24 ἀνταπόδοσιν reward

    because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

    Here: Literally 'a giving back in return.' The word is neutral: it can mean reward or punishment depending on what is being paid back. Verse 25 shows the other side.

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