πάρειμι

páreimi /par'-i-mee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom παρά and εἰμί (including its various forms)
Meaningto be near, i.e. at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property
KJV usagecome, X have, be here, + lack, (be here) present.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word páreimi, represented by G3918, means to be near or at hand. It appears 25 times in 22 unique verses. Derived from the words παρά and εἰμί, its meaning extends beyond simple location to encompass concepts of being present, having come, possessing property, or even to lack something.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3918 is frequently used by the apostle Paul to contrast physical presence with spiritual reality, such as being "absent in body, but present in spirit" 1 Corinthians 5:3. It also marks the arrival of significant individuals, as when Mary is told, "The Master is come" John 11:28, or when missionaries are accused of having "come hither" to disrupt a city Acts 17:6. The term is also used in a temporal sense to refer to "the present" time, distinguishing current circumstances from future outcomes Hebrews 12:11 or establishing the importance of "the present truth" 2 Peter 1:12. Finally, it can describe possession, as in being content with "such things as ye have" Hebrews 13:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of presence and arrival:

  • G548 ápeimi (to be away): This word is the direct antonym of G3918 and is often used in contrast to it. Paul employs this pairing to discuss his state of being "absent" while still being spiritually present with the church (2 Corinthians 13:2, 2 Corinthians 13:10).
  • G2064 érchomai (to come or go): A more general term for arrival, it is used to describe the brethren who "came" from Macedonia to supply Paul's needs 2 Corinthians 11:9 and is also used by Paul when discussing his plans to "come" to Corinth 2 Corinthians 13:2.
  • G3854 paragínomai (to become near, i.e. approach): This word emphasizes the act of arriving or appearing publicly. It is used when wise men "came" from the east to Jerusalem Matthew 2:1 and describes Christ "being come" as a high priest Hebrews 9:11.
  • G5302 hysteréō (to fall short, be deficient): This term connects to the sense of "lacking" that G3918 can imply. It is used when Paul "wanted" while in Corinth 2 Corinthians 11:9 and in the statement that all have sinned and "come short" of God's glory Romans 3:23.

Theological Significance

The theological applications of G3918 are significant and varied.

  • Presence in the Community: The distinction between being physically "present" and spiritually "present" establishes a key tenet of Christian fellowship—that believers are united in spirit regardless of physical distance 1 Corinthians 5:3. Paul asserts his authority and judgment "as though I were present" to address sin within the church.
  • The Importance of the Present: The word highlights the spiritual significance of the current moment. Disciplinary "chastening for the present," though grievous, yields righteousness Hebrews 12:11. Believers are to be established in "the present truth," indicating the active, current reality of their faith 2 Peter 1:12.
  • Divine Provision and Contentment: G3918 is linked to God's faithfulness. Believers are called to be content with what they "have" because of the promise that God will never forsake them, connecting present provision with God's constant presence Hebrews 13:5.
  • Lacking True Understanding: In a negative sense, the word is used to describe a spiritual deficiency. One who "lacketh" certain virtues is described as blind and having forgotten their purification from sin 2 Peter 1:9.

Summary

In summary, G3918 is a dynamic term that signifies more than mere physical proximity. It is used to explore the relationship between the physical and spiritual, the temporal and eternal, and possession and lack. From Paul's state of being "present in spirit" to the command to be content with what one "has," páreimi illustrates how the concept of what is "at hand" is central to Christian conduct, community, and confidence in God's provision.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 25 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 6×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
  • Present Active Infinitive 3×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
  • 2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Future Middle Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Singular Neuter 1×
  • Present Active Participle Dative Plural Neuter 1×

+ 3 rarer forms

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Dative
The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Middle Deponent
Middle in form but active in meaning.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 22 verses across 10 books. Most frequent in Acts (5 verses).

1
Matthew
1
Luke
2
John
5
Acts
1
1 Corinthians
5
2 Corinthians
2
Galatians
1
Colossians
2
Hebrews
2
2 Peter

Verse Explorer

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