from a compound of εὖ and ὁδός; to help on the road, i.e. (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively, to succeed in business affairs:--(have a) prosper(-ous journey).
Transliteration:euodóō
Pronunciation:yoo-od-o'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb εὐοδόω (euodóō, `{{G2137}}`) is a compound word derived from εὖ (eu, meaning "good" or "well," `{{G2095}}`) and ὁδός (hodos, meaning "way" or "road," `{{G3598}}`). Literally, it signifies "to have a good journey" or "to be led on a good path." Its core semantic range extends from this literal sense of a successful or prosperous journey to a broader, figurative meaning of general success, prosperity, or well-being in various aspects of life. The nuance often implies divine favor or enablement, suggesting that the "good way" is made so by a higher power. In its passive form, it means "to be prospered" or "to be made successful."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term εὐοδόω appears three times in the New Testament, each instance offering a distinct yet interconnected facet of its meaning:
1. **[[Romans 1:10]]**: "making request, if by some means now at last I may be *prospered* by the will of God to come to you." Here, the apostle Paul uses εὐοδόω in reference to his long-desired journey to Rome. The verb is in the passive voice, indicating that Paul desires God to "make his way prosperous" or "grant him a good journey." This is a literal application of the word's base meaning, but crucially, it is qualified by "by the will of God," underscoring that even physical journeys are subject to divine sovereignty and enablement. Paul's prosperity in travel is not a matter of chance but of God's providential leading.
2. **[[1 Corinthians 16:2]]**: "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay aside something, storing up *as he may prosper*, that there be no collections when I come." In this context, εὐοδόω refers to financial prosperity. Paul instructs the Corinthian believers to set aside money for the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, proportionate to how God has prospered them. This usage extends the meaning from a physical journey to the "journey" of one's financial affairs or business. It implies that any material gain is a blessing from God, and this blessing carries with it a responsibility for generous giving, demonstrating that prosperity is not solely for personal accumulation but for the benefit of the wider community of faith.
3. **[[3 John 1:2]]**: "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may *prosper* and be in health, just as your soul prospers." This is perhaps the most comprehensive and theologically rich use of εὐοδόω. John expresses a wish for Gaius's holistic well-being, encompassing general prosperity ("in all respects"), physical health ("be in health"), and spiritual flourishing ("just as your soul prospers"). The Greek structure implies a parallel: John desires Gaius's external circumstances (prosperity and health) to match the already evident prosperity of his soul. This verse elevates spiritual prosperity as the foundational and normative standard for other forms of well-being, challenging any notion of prosperity that is purely material or physical, divorced from one's spiritual condition.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of εὐοδόω intersects with several other significant biblical concepts:
* **εὐλογέω (eulogeō, `{{G2127}}`):** To bless. Both εὐοδόω and εὐλογέω relate to the concept of divine favor and the bestowal of good things, whether a successful journey, material gain, or general well-being. While εὐλογέω is broader, εὐοδόω often specifies the *outcome* of such blessing as prosperity or success.
* **πλοῦτος (ploutos, `{{G4149}}`):** Wealth or riches. This is directly related to the financial prosperity aspect seen in [[1 Corinthians 16:2]], though εὐοδόω emphasizes the *process* of becoming prosperous rather than merely the state of having wealth.
* **ὑγιαίνω (hygiainō, `{{G5198}}`):** To be healthy. This word directly parallels the "health" aspect in [[3 John 1:2]], highlighting the comprehensive nature of the desired well-being.
* **Divine Providence and Guidance:** The underlying concept in all uses of εὐοδόω is that true prosperity comes from God's active involvement and guidance, making one's "way" good. This connects to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereign care for His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of εὐοδόω is profound, offering insights into God's character, His relationship with humanity, and the nature of true prosperity:
1. **God's Sovereign Providence:** The consistent implication across its uses is that prosperity, whether in travel, finances, or general life, is ultimately a gift from God, dependent on His will and enabling. It underscores that believers are to seek God's guidance and provision in all endeavors, rather than relying solely on human effort or chance.
2. **Holistic Well-being:** Particularly in [[3 John 1:2]], εὐοδόω presents a holistic view of prosperity that transcends mere material wealth. It prioritizes the prosperity of the soul as the foundation for physical health and general well-being. This challenges a reductionist or purely materialistic understanding of "prosperity" and aligns with the biblical emphasis on inner transformation and spiritual vitality as paramount.
3. **Prosperity with Purpose:** The use in [[1 Corinthians 16:2]] reveals that material prosperity, when granted by God, is often intended to facilitate acts of generosity and service to others. It is not an end in itself but a means by which believers can participate in God's work and demonstrate His love. This perspective counters self-centered accumulation, promoting stewardship and sacrificial giving.
4. **Prayer and Dependence:** Paul's desire to be "prospered by the will of God" in [[Romans 1:10]] illustrates the believer's posture of humble dependence and prayerful submission to God's plan, even for seemingly mundane aspects of life like travel.
### Summary
The Greek word εὐοδόω (euodóō, `{{G2137}}`), meaning "to have a good way" or "to prosper," consistently points to a divinely enabled success or well-being. Whether referring to a literal journey (Paul's desire to visit Rome in [[Romans 1:10]]), financial increase for generous giving (instructions in [[1 Corinthians 16:2]]), or a comprehensive state of spiritual, physical, and general flourishing (John's prayer for Gaius in [[3 John 1:2]]), the term underscores God's providential care. It reveals that true prosperity is multifaceted, ultimately originating from God's will, and is often purposed not merely for personal gain but for the glory of God and the benefit of others, with the prosperity of the soul serving as the foundational and normative standard.
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