Word Study for G1805 (ἐξαγοράζω)

exagorázō /ex-ag-or-ad'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐκ and ἀγοράζω

Meaningto buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity)

KJV usageredeem.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of exagorázō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word exagorázō, represented by G1805, means to redeem. It is derived from words meaning "to buy up" or "ransom" and is used figuratively to rescue from loss or improve an opportunity. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its specific and powerful application.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1805 is used in two primary contexts. First, it describes the work of Christ G5547, who has redeemed believers from the curse of the law Galatians 3:13. This act of redemption allows for the "adoption of sons" Galatians 4:5. Second, it is used as an exhortation for believers to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil G4190 (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of redemption and its context:

G2671 katára (curse): This word for imprecation or execration identifies what believers are redeemed from, specifically "the curse of the law" Galatians 3:13.
G3551 nómos (law): Meaning law or a principle, this is the system from which redemption is necessary. It is used in contexts like being "under the law" Galatians 4:5.
G2540 kairós (opportunity): This refers to a set or proper time. Believers are instructed to make the most of every opportunity, redeeming the time Ephesians 5:16.
G5206 huiothesía (adoption of sons): This term describes the result of Christ's redemptive work, where believers receive G618 the adoption of sons Galatians 4:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1805 is significant and multifaceted:

Substitutionary Atonement: The core of its meaning is that Christ G5547 has redeemed us from the curse G2671 of the law G3551 by being made a curse for us, fulfilling what was written G1125 that cursed is everyone that hangeth G2910 on a tree G3586 Galatians 3:13.
New Status through Redemption: The purpose of being redeemed is not simply freedom from a penalty, but the granting of a new status. The goal is that believers "might receive the adoption of sons" G5206, changing their relationship to God Galatians 4:5.
Wise and Urgent Conduct: The word also carries an ethical command. The redeemed are called to walk G4043 in wisdom G4678 toward those without G1854, "redeeming the time" G2540 because the days are evil (Colossians 4:5; Ephesians 5:16).

Summary

In summary, G1805 exagorázō conveys a profound, two-fold concept. It describes the singular, foundational act of Christ buying believers back from the curse of the law, thereby granting them adoption. It also serves as a practical instruction for the redeemed to live wisely, buying up every opportunity in a world where days are evil. The word encapsulates both the price of salvation and the resulting call to consecrated living.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Middle Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Galatians (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

Galatians

Ephesians

Colossians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.