The Greek word paralambánō, represented by G3880, describes the act of taking or receiving something or someone to oneself. It appears 54 times in 50 unique verses of the Bible. Formed from the words παρά (near) and λαμβάνω (to take), its meaning encompasses intimate association, such as taking a person into one's company, as well as the figurative act of learning or receiving tradition.
The prefix παρά- in G3880 is crucial, conveying more than just simple acquisition; it suggests taking alongside, from beside, or from one to another. This implies an intentional transfer or a bringing into close proximity and association. When applied to persons, it underscores a deliberate act of taking someone into one's company, protection, or sphere of influence. For abstract concepts like tradition or teaching, it highlights the reception as coming from a specific source, emphasizing the lineage and authority of the transmitted message, rather than a mere grasping.
In scripture, G3880 is used in several distinct ways. It frequently refers to the act of receiving apostolic teaching or the gospel. Paul states he delivered to the Corinthians what he himself had received 1 Corinthians 15:3, and he exhorts believers to walk according to the instruction they received from the apostles 1 Thessalonians 4:1. The term also denotes a physical and personal taking, as when an angel commands Joseph to take Mary as his wife Matthew 1:20 or when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain of transfiguration Matthew 17:1. Furthermore, it carries eschatological weight, as in Christ's promise to receive believers to Himself John 14:3 and in parables where one person is taken and another is left Matthew 24:40.
Beyond the reception of spiritual instruction and the significant instances of Jesus taking His inner circle, G3880 also describes a broader spectrum of physical taking for companionship, protection, or specific action. Joseph, for example, is commanded by an angel to "take" the young child and his mother to flee into Egypt, emphasizing a protective custody Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:14. Similarly, Jesus repeatedly "took" the twelve disciples apart to instruct them on the way to Jerusalem, signifying an intentional gathering for focused teaching and preparation Mark 10:32, Matthew 20:17. The term can even denote a taking by force or authority, as when soldiers "took" Jesus to the common hall for judgment Matthew 27:27 or when a chief captain "took" soldiers to intervene in a conflict involving Paul Acts 21:32, illustrating the range from tender care to adversarial capture.
Several related words clarify the specific meaning of G3880:
- G2983 lambánō (to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of...))): As the root of paralambánō, this word signifies the general act of taking or getting hold of something. In the account of the Last Supper, Paul states he received G3880 the teaching from the Lord that Jesus took G2983 bread 1 Corinthians 11:23.
- G3860 paradídōmi (to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit): This word often works in tandem with paralambánō to describe the transmission of tradition. Paul delivered G3860 the gospel message that he had previously received G3880 1 Corinthians 15:3.
- G1209 déchomai (to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)): This term is often contrasted with lambánō, implying a more passive reception of something offered. The Thessalonians received G3880 the word from Paul, and in turn, they received G1209 it not as the word of men but of God 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
- G3870 parakaléō (to call near, exhort, comfort): Sharing the prefix παρά, this word illuminates a related aspect of drawing someone into close proximity, often for the purpose of comfort, exhortation, or invitation. While G3880 focuses on the act of taking to oneself, G3870 emphasizes the act of calling or inviting someone to come alongside or near, thus fostering a similar sense of intimate association and relationship, especially in the context of fellowship and spiritual care.
The theological importance of G3880 is significant, highlighting key aspects of the Christian faith.
- Transmission of Revelation: The word is crucial for understanding how divine truth is passed on. Paul emphasizes that the gospel he preached was received either directly by revelation from Jesus Christ Galatians 1:12 or through established tradition, which he then delivered G3860 to the church 1 Corinthians 15:3.
- Intimate Association with Christ: paralambánō illustrates the personal relationship Christ has with His followers. He took His inner circle of disciples with Him to witness key events Mark 14:33 and promises to one day come and receive all believers to be with Him where He is John 14:3.
- Eschatological Separation: The word is used to describe the final separation of the righteous from the unrighteous. In the end times, one will be taken and the other left, signifying a divine selection and gathering Luke 17:34-35.
- Responsibility of Appropriation: The act of receiving through G3880 carries with it a significant demand for active response and continued adherence. Believers are not merely passive recipients of Christ or His teachings; they are exhorted to "walk in him" as they have "received" Christ Jesus the Lord Colossians 2:6. This implies a continuous appropriation and living out of the truth and relationship that has been established. Furthermore, this responsibility extends to upholding the integrity of the gospel, as Paul warns against accepting "any other gospel" than that which was initially "received" Galatians 1:9, underscoring the imperative for faithful stewardship of divine revelation.
G3880 paralambánō is a multifaceted Greek term that encapsulates the essence of taking or receiving with an emphasis on intimate association and transmission from a source. Its construction from παρά (near, alongside) and λαμβάνω (to take) highlights a deliberate act of bringing someone or something into one's sphere, whether for companionship, protection, or the purposeful transfer of information. This core meaning resonates across its various biblical applications, from the profound act of Joseph taking Mary as his wife to Christ's promise to receive believers to Himself.
The word's usage spans significant categories: the physical taking of individuals for close fellowship, journey, or even by force; the crucial transmission and reception of apostolic teaching and divine revelation; and the eschatological separation in the end times. In tandem with G3860 paradídōmi (to deliver) and in contrast to G1209 déchomai (to passively receive), G3880 underscores an active, often authoritative, reception. The concept extends beyond mere intellectual assent to encompass the responsibility of appropriating and living out what has been received, as seen in exhortations to walk in Christ as He was received.
Ultimately, G3880 is vital for understanding the dynamic relationship between God and humanity. It defines how divine truth is passed down through generations, how Christ personally draws His followers into intimate communion, and how believers are called to respond faithfully to the gospel they have embraced. It also points to the ultimate hope of being taken into Christ's eternal presence and the solemn reality of divine selection, thereby bridging the conceptual and the physical, the historical and the eschatological, within the Christian narrative.
TRV