Word Study for G3858 (παραδέχομαι)

paradéchomai /par-ad-ekh'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word

Meaningto accept near, i.e. admit or (by implication) delight in

KJV usagereceive.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of paradéchomai — 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 paradéchomai, represented by G3858, means to accept near, admit, or delight in, and is often translated as receive. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. This term signifies a considered acceptance, whether of a message, a person, or a legal charge.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3858 is used in various contexts to denote a deliberate act of acceptance or rejection. In the Parable of the Sower, it describes those on good ground who not only hear the word but receive it, leading to fruitfulness Mark 4:20. Conversely, it is used to describe the rejection of a divine message, as when Paul is warned that the people of Jerusalem will not receive his testimony Acts 22:18. The term also carries a legal or procedural meaning, such as the instruction not to receive an accusation against an elder without sufficient witnesses 1 Timothy 5:19. This is further seen when the Romans declare it is not lawful for them to receive or observe certain customs Acts 16:21. Finally, it illustrates God's acceptance of His children, as He receiveth every son whom He disciplines Hebrews 12:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context in which one might receive something:

G191 akoúō (to hear): This action is often the prerequisite for receiving. One must first hear the word in order to either accept or reject it Mark 4:20.
G3056 lógos (word, saying, doctrine): This is frequently the object that is to be received. The response to the word determines spiritual fruitfulness Mark 4:20.
G3141 martyría (testimony, witness): This refers to the evidence or report being presented for acceptance. The refusal to receive Paul's testimony highlights a rejection of his message Acts 22:18, while the proper handling of accusations requires witnesses 1 Timothy 5:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3858 is significant, highlighting the nature of true acceptance.

Fruitful Acceptance: True reception of God's word is more than simple hearing; it is an act of the heart that results in a changed life, as illustrated by the good ground that brings forth fruit Mark 4:20. It connects hearing with doing.
Divine Acceptance and Discipline: Being received by God as a son is directly linked to His loving discipline. The act of chastening is evidence that God receiveth a person as his own, indicating a relationship of love and correction Hebrews 12:6.
Rejection of Truth: The refusal to receive a testimony about Jesus demonstrates a rejection of God's messenger and His message. This highlights the human responsibility to accept the truth that is presented Acts 22:18.

Summary

In summary, G3858 paradéchomai conveys a dynamic and deliberate form of acceptance. It is not a passive act, but a conscious decision to admit a message, a legal standard, or a person into one's sphere. From the fertile soil of a believer's heart to the formal context of a judicial charge, and ultimately to the loving embrace of God receiving His son, this word underscores that how and what we receive has profound spiritual consequences.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists one rendering for this word. It is counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the number is how many of them use it. Select it to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

παρεδέχθησαν
παραδέξονταί
παραδέχου
παραδέχονται
παραδέχεται
παραδέχεσθαι

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 5 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (2 verses); never once in the other 23.

Mark

Acts

1 Timothy

Hebrews

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, by grammatical form, 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.