Greek word · G5524

χορηγέω

chorēgeō

to provide

Originally, to lead or fund a chorus. In classical Athens the chorēgos was a wealthy citizen who paid for a dramatic chorus as a public duty. In Koine (everyday Greek of the period) it generally meant to supply, furnish or provide, often generously and at one's own cost.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 22, 2026

What it means

χορηγέω, -ῶ

(χορός, ἡγέομαι) [in LXX for כּוּל pilp. ;]

1. to lead a χορός (see LS, see word).

2. to defray the cost of a χορός.

3. In late writers, metaphorically, with accusative (see M, Pr., 65), to supply, furnish abundantly: 2 Corinthians 9:10, 1 Peter 4:11 (Polyb., al.).†

(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 Peter 4:11

Range of meaning: Originally, to lead or fund a chorus. In classical Athens the chorēgos was a wealthy citizen who paid for a dramatic chorus as a public duty. In Koine (everyday Greek of the period) it generally meant to supply, furnish or provide, often generously and at one's own cost.
Against the English: 'Provides', 'supplies' (BSB, WEB), 'giveth' (KJV). All accurate, but they lose the hint of a generous patron underwriting the whole performance.
Used elsewhere in the period: 2 Cor 9:10 (God 'who supplies seed to the sower'); the compound epichorēgeō appears in 2 Pet 1:5, 11 and Gal 3:5 (God 'supplying the Spirit'). In papyri and inscriptions it means to fund or supply provisions. LXX: Sir 1:10, 26 (God 'supplies' wisdom); 1 Kgs 4:7 (supplying the king's table).

From the study of 2 Corinthians 9:10

Range of meaning: To provide, supply, furnish (originally, to pay the costs of a chorus). In Koine it means to supply something in plenty. In the New Testament it appears only here and at 1 Pet 4:11 ('the strength that God supplies').
Against the English: Translated 'supply' or 'provide', which is accurate. English cannot easily show that the main verb repeats the root of the opening participle ('the Supplier… will supply').
Used elsewhere in the period: Found in the Greek Old Testament (e.g., 1 Kgs 4:7, of officials providing food for the king's household; Sir 1:10, 26, of God supplying wisdom). In inscriptions and papyri it is the ordinary word for providing goods or paying expenses.

From the study of 2 Maccabees 9:16

Range of meaning: First: to lead or pay for a chorus. In classical Athens the chorēgia was a public duty in which a wealthy citizen paid for a festival chorus. Later: to supply or provide abundantly at one's own cost, especially as a public benefactor.
Against the English: "Defray" (KJV, Brenton, WEB) is accurate but flat. It loses the overtone of a generous public patron paying lavishly.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 9:10 (God "supplies seed") and 1 Peter 4:11 ("the strength God supplies"). It is common in Hellenistic honorary inscriptions praising benefactors, and is used of Seleucus IV in 2 Maccabees 3:3.

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 1

2 Corinthians 9:10 χορηγήσει will supply

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Here: 'He will supply'. This is the main verb, and it repeats the root of the opening participle on purpose: the God who does supply will supply you.

1 Peter · 1

1 Peter 4:11 χορηγεῖ supplies

If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Here: Present tense: God keeps supplying, generously and as needed. The word once described a patron funding a public chorus, and kept a flavour of lavish provision.

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