The Greek word diatrophḗ, represented by G1305, is a term for nourishment or food. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, deriving from a compound of words meaning nourishment.
The single use of G1305 is found in 1 Timothy 6:8, where it establishes the foundation for a principle of satisfaction. The verse states, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." Here, diatrophḗ refers to the most basic physical sustenance required for life, pairing it with clothing as the essential provisions upon which contentment should be based.
Several related words in its sole context help to define its meaning:
- G2192 échō (to hold): This verb, translated as "having" in the verse, signifies possession or the condition of being provided for. It establishes that having even basic things like life is a possession given by God John 10:10.
- G4629 sképasma (clothing): This word for raiment is used alongside food to form a pair representing life's fundamental necessities 1 Timothy 6:8.
- G714 arkéō (be content, be enough, suffice, be sufficient): This is the instruction that follows the mention of having food and raiment. It calls the believer to be satisfied with these provisions, as seen in the command to "be content with such things as ye have" Hebrews 13:5.
The theological significance of G1305 is rooted entirely in its specific context.
- The Basis for Contentment: By identifying food as a core need, the scripture establishes a low bar for material satisfaction. Contentment is not tied to wealth, but to the simple fact of having essential provision 1 Timothy 6:8.
- Focus on Essential Provision: The pairing of food G1305 and raiment G4629 frames the conversation around needs rather than wants, directing focus away from material accumulation.
- Sufficiency in Simplicity: The use of diatrophḗ supports a theme of sufficiency. The idea is that having food is enough (arkéō) to be content, pointing toward a life of simple dependence and gratitude for basic needs being met.
In summary, while diatrophḗ G1305 is one of the most infrequently used words in the New Testament, its single appearance is highly instructive. It serves as a powerful anchor for the biblical teaching on contentment. By representing the simple, foundational provision of food, it illustrates that a state of satisfaction is grounded not in abundance but in the sufficiency of life's most basic necessities.
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