τίθημι

From the study of John 15:13

Range of meaning

τίθημι basically means "to put, place, set, lay". It is also used for laying aside clothes, depositing money, appointing someone, and setting something up. With ψυχή ("life") as its object, the phrase means "to lay down / give up one's life" (BDAG s.v. τίθημι). The phrase is rare in ordinary Greek. In the New Testament it is almost entirely a Johannine expression: John 10:11, 15, 17, 18; 13:37, 38; 15:13; 1 John 3:16 (twice).

Against the English

English "lay down his life" is a good rendering and has become an idiom of its own. What English misses is the physical picture of John's verb. In 13:4 Jesus "lays aside" (τίθησιν) his outer garments and in 13:12 "takes them" (ἔλαβεν) again. In 10:17–18 he "lays down" his life so that he may "take it" (λάβω) again. The same pair of verbs is used both times, so the foot-washing acts out the death in advance.

Used elsewhere in the period

Possible Semitic background: the Hebrew idiom "to put one's soul (nefesh) in one's palm" (Judg 12:3; 1 Sam 19:5; 28:21; Job 13:14) means to risk one's life. Ordinary Greek more often says παραδίδωμι ("hand over") or ἐπιδίδωμι for giving one's life. In John 10:18 the phrase is paired with the claim "no one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own accord", so John stresses that the act is voluntary.

From the study of 1 John 3:16

Range of meaning

To put, place, set, lay down, lay aside, appoint. With psuchē it forms the phrase "to lay down one's life", which is very rare outside the Johannine writings and does not appear in this form elsewhere in the New Testament. Ordinary Greek used it for 'putting down' money as a deposit or payment, and in John 13:4 the same verb describes Jesus laying aside his outer garments before washing the disciples' feet.

Against the English

"Laid down" (KJV, BSB, ESV, NASB, WEB) keeps the idiom. NLT's "gave up his life" is clear but loses the deliberate, self-controlled picture of setting something down.

Used elsewhere in the period

John 10:11, 15, 17–18 ("I lay it down of my own accord… I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again"); 13:37–38; 15:13. Scholars often compare the Hebrew idiom "put one's life in one's hand", meaning to risk it (Judg 12:3; 1 Sam 19:5; 28:21). See debates.

From the study of 2 Timothy 1:11

Range of meaning

To put, place, lay down. Extended to 'appoint, establish, assign someone to a role', often with eis ('for/into') giving the role or purpose.

Against the English

All versions say 'appointed'. The Greek is the plain verb 'to place', a concrete picture of God setting a person in a position. KJV's 'I am appointed' sounds present-tense. The Greek is a past act whose effect continues.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Isa 49:6, 'I have set you (tetheika) as a light to the nations', a verse Paul and Barnabas apply to their own mission in Acts 13:47. 1 Cor 12:28, 'God placed (etheto) in the church first apostles… third teachers.' 1 Tim 1:12, 'appointing (themenos) me to service.' John 15:16, 'I placed (ethēka) you.'