from ἐπί and χορηγέω; to furnish besides, i.e. fully supply, (figuratively) aid or contribute:--add, minister (nourishment, unto).
Transliteration:epichorēgéō
Pronunciation:ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπιχορηγέω (epichorēgéō - G2023) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epi), meaning "upon" or "in addition to," and the verb χορηγέω (chorēgeō - G5524), which means "to lead a chorus" or, by extension, "to defray the expenses of a chorus." The root χορηγέω itself derives from χορηγός (choragos), a wealthy Athenian citizen who bore the considerable cost of equipping and training a chorus for dramatic performances. This background imbues the word with a sense of generous, full, and often costly provision.
The addition of the prefix ἐπί intensifies this meaning, suggesting not merely a basic supply but an abundant, continuous, or complete furnishing. It can imply an "adding upon" or "further supplying." Therefore, the semantic range of ἐπιχορηγέω includes:
* To furnish fully, completely, or abundantly.
* To supply in addition, to add to.
* To minister, provide, or give aid, often with a sense of ongoing support.
* To equip or empower comprehensively for a specific purpose.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἐπιχορηγέω appears five times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating its nuanced meaning:
* **[[2 Corinthians 9:10]]:** "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." Here, God is depicted as the ultimate Provider, who generously ἐπιχορηγέω (supplies) both the physical means (seed, bread) and, by extension, the spiritual capacity for righteousness. The context is about generous giving and God's reciprocal provision, ensuring that those who give will have an abundance to continue their good works.
* **[[Galatians 3:5]]:** "Does God then supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" In this rhetorical question, Paul challenges the Galatians by pointing to God as the one who ἐπιχορηγέω (supplies) the Holy Spirit. This spiritual provision is foundational to the Christian life and the working of miracles, emphasizing that these come by faith, not by adherence to the Law. The continuous nature of the Spirit's work is implied.
* **[[Colossians 2:19]]:** "and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together by what every joint supplies, grows with a growth that is from God." Christ is identified as the "Head" from whom the entire body (the Church) receives its ἐπιχορηγέω (supply). This refers to the life, nourishment, and functional capacity that flows from Christ to every part of His body, enabling its organic growth and unity. It speaks to the vital, continuous provision from Christ that sustains the church.
* **[[2 Peter 1:5]]:** "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge..." Unlike the previous examples where God or Christ is the subject, here believers are exhorted to actively ἐπιχορηγέω (supply or add) virtues to their faith. The sense of "adding upon" is particularly strong here, urging diligent effort to build a comprehensive spiritual character, layer by layer, upon the foundation of faith.
* **[[2 Peter 1:11]]:** "for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." The ἐπιχορηγέω (abundantly supplied) entrance into the kingdom signifies a rich, full, and certain welcome into God's eternal presence. This is the glorious outcome for those who have diligently built upon their faith, confirming the generous and complete provision of salvation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **χορηγέω (chorēgeō - `{{G5524}}`):** The base verb, meaning "to furnish" or "supply." ἐπιχορηγέω intensifies or specifies this action.
* **χορηγία (chorēgia - `{{G5525}}`):** The noun form, meaning "supply," "provision," or "liberality." It appears in [[2 Corinthians 9:10]] (referring to God's supply of seed) and [[Ephesians 4:16]] (referring to the supply from every joint in the body of Christ). This noun reinforces the concept of a full and ample provision.
* **δίδωμι (didōmi - `{{G1325}}`):** A more general verb for "to give." ἐπιχορηγέω implies a more comprehensive or continuous giving for a specific purpose.
* **Divine Grace and Provision:** The concept of God's unmerited favor and His abundant provision for His people, both spiritually and materially.
* **Spiritual Growth and Maturity:** The process by which believers develop in Christ-likeness, often through the active application of spiritual disciplines and the reception of divine enablement.
* **Organic Unity of the Church:** The understanding of the Church as the body of Christ, where each member receives life and function from the Head (Christ) and contributes to the well-being of the whole.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπιχορηγέω is profound, underscoring several key aspects of God's character and the Christian life:
* **God's Superabundant Generosity:** The term highlights God not merely as a provider of necessities, but as one who generously, fully, and continuously supplies all that is needed for life and godliness. This divine generosity is seen in both material provision (seed, bread) and, more significantly, in the spiritual realm (the Holy Spirit). It speaks to a divine economy of abundance, not scarcity.
* **The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit:** The supplying of the Spirit ([[Galatians 3:5]]) emphasizes the Spirit's active and ongoing work in the lives of believers, empowering faith, enabling miracles, and confirming salvation as a gift received by faith, not earned by works. This underscores the Spirit's vital role in the believer's experience and sanctification.
* **Christ as the Sustaining Head of the Church:** In [[Colossians 2:19]], ἐπιχορηγέω portrays Christ as the indispensable source of life, nourishment, and cohesion for His body, the Church. This highlights the organic unity of believers in Christ and their absolute dependence on Him for growth, function, and spiritual vitality.
* **The Call to Diligent Christian Living:** The exhortation in [[2 Peter 1:5]] for believers to "supply" virtues reveals a crucial aspect of human responsibility in spiritual formation. While God provides the power, believers are called to active, diligent effort in building upon their faith, adding one virtue upon another. This process of spiritual growth is not passive but requires intentional participation, enabled by divine grace.
* **Assurance of Glorious Entry:** The "abundantly supplied" entrance into the eternal kingdom ([[2 Peter 1:11]]) offers a glorious assurance to believers. It signifies that the welcome into God's presence will be full, rich, and certain, a testament to God's faithfulness and the complete provision of salvation through Christ.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐπιχορηγέω (epichorēgéō - G2023) conveys the rich concept of a full, abundant, and often continuous supply or provision. Rooted in the generous patronage of a chorus, it is consistently used in the New Testament to describe a comprehensive furnishing that goes beyond mere adequacy. It highlights God's boundless generosity in supplying both material needs and, preeminently, the Holy Spirit and spiritual vitality. It underscores Christ's role as the Head who nourishes and sustains His body, the Church. Furthermore, it calls believers to diligent participation in their spiritual growth, actively "adding upon" virtues as they build their character, culminating in the glorious and abundantly supplied entrance into God's eternal kingdom. The word thus encapsulates divine provision, spiritual empowerment, and the dynamic process of Christian maturity.
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