Word Study for G3930 (παρέχω)

paréchō /par-ekh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom παρά and ἔχω

Meaningto hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion

KJV usagebring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of paréchō — 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 paréchō, represented by G3930, is formed from παρά and ἔχω and means to hold near, present, afford, or exhibit. It appears 17 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. Its translations are varied, including bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, and trouble.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3930 is used to describe a range of actions involving providing or causing something. It signifies divine provision, as when God giveth us all things to enjoy 1 Timothy 6:17. It is also used for human responsibility, commanding masters to give what is just and equal to their servants Colossians 4:1. In a different context, it describes the outcome of an action, such as a damsel who brought her masters much gain Acts 16:16. The word is also frequently paired with G2873 to mean causing trouble, as when Jesus asks, "Why trouble ye the woman?" Matthew 26:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which G3930 is used:

G1325 dídōmi (to give): While G3930 often implies presenting or affording, dídōmi is a broader term for giving. It is used to describe God's ultimate gift of His Son John 3:16.
G2873 kópos (labour, + trouble, weariness): This word is often used with G3930 to form the specific phrase for causing trouble. The unjust judge, for example, agrees to help a widow because she "troubleth me" Luke 18:5.
G1342 díkaios (just, righteous): This term defines the standard for what should be given in certain relationships. Masters are commanded to give what is just Colossians 4:1, linking the action of providing with a moral imperative.

Theological Significance

The theological applications of G3930 emphasize practical and spiritual responsibilities.

Divine Provision and Assurance: The word highlights God's role as the one who giveth all good things 1 Timothy 6:17. More significantly, He gives assurance to all humanity through the resurrection of Christ, establishing a basis for faith and judgment Acts 17:31.
Practical Christian Ethics: G3930 underscores the active nature of the Christian life. Believers are instructed to shew themselves as a pattern of good works Titus 2:7 and to give what is just and equal, knowing they also have a Master in heaven Colossians 4:1.
Avoiding Spiritual Distractions: The word serves as a warning against things that hinder faith. Fables and genealogies are said to minister questions rather than godly edifying, which is found in faith 1 Timothy 1:4.

Summary

In summary, G3930 is a dynamic verb that means more than simply to give; it conveys the idea of presenting, affording, or furnishing. It is used to describe God's generous provision, the ethical duties of believers, and the negative impact of things that cause trouble or distraction. From the kindness shewed by strangers Acts 28:2 to the assurance given by God Acts 17:31, paréchō illustrates the tangible ways in which actions and attitudes are presented and made evident.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Imperative 2nd Singular 2×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Plural 2×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
2nd Future Middle Deponent Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Imperfect Middle Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Dative Singular Masculine 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
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: The subject acts on or for itself.
Middle Deponent: Middle in form but active in meaning.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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 16 verses across 8 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (5 verses); never once in the other 19.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Acts

Galatians

Colossians

1 Timothy

Titus

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, 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.