### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb περισπάω (perispáō, `{{G4049}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition περί (peri), meaning "around" or "about," and the verb σπάω (spaō), meaning "to draw," "to drag," or "to pull." Literally, therefore, perispáō signifies "to drag all around" or "to pull in various directions." This literal sense provides the foundation for its singular figurative usage in the New Testament.
Figuratively, perispáō denotes a state of being distracted, pulled away from a central focus by multiple cares, concerns, or activities. It conveys the idea of being over-occupied or overwhelmed, leading to a fragmented attention. The English translation "cumber" (as in the KJV) effectively captures this sense of being burdened, hindered, or excessively preoccupied to the point of distraction. It implies not merely being busy, but being so engrossed and pulled by numerous demands that one loses spiritual equilibrium and focus.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb περισπάω (perispáō, `{{G4049}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the narrative of Martha and Mary:
* **[[Luke 10:40]]**: "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'" (NIV, "distracted" for περισπάω). The KJV renders it, "But Martha was cumbered about much serving."
In this sole occurrence, the context is crucial. Martha, hosting Jesus and His disciples, is described as being "distracted" or "cumbered" (περισπάω) by her "much serving" (διακονία, diakonia). This is contrasted with her sister Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching. The passage highlights a tension between necessary practical service and the paramount importance of spiritual receptivity. Martha's distraction was not merely about the volume of work, but the internal state it produced: anxiety, frustration, and a loss of focus on the unique opportunity to learn from the Lord. Her complaint to Jesus reveals the extent of her internal turmoil, stemming from being pulled in too many directions by the demands of hospitality. The word perispáō here vividly portrays a soul fragmented by care, unable to fully engage with the divine presence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept conveyed by περισπάω (perispáō, `{{G4049}}`) intersects with several other significant biblical themes and lexical entries:
* **Anxiety and Worry**: The state of being "distracted" or "cumbered" is closely linked to anxiety. Words like μέριμνα (merimna, `{{G3308}}`, "anxiety," "care") and its verb form μεριμνάω (merimnaō, `{{G3309}}`, "to be anxious," "to worry") often describe the internal turmoil that results from being pulled by worldly concerns. Martha's distraction was clearly accompanied by anxiety.
* **Service and Ministry**: The "much serving" (διακονία, diakonia, `{{G1248}}`) that cumbered Martha is itself a good and necessary activity. The issue is not the service itself, but the attitude and spiritual state of the one performing it. This highlights the potential for even legitimate duties to become a source of spiritual distraction if not rightly prioritized.
* **Focus and Devotion**: The opposite of being "distracted" is to be singularly focused and devoted. Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet exemplifies this single-minded devotion, prioritizing the "one thing needful" (cf. [[Luke 10:42]]). This concept resonates with calls to set one's mind on things above (cf. [[Colossians 3:2]]) and to serve God with an undivided heart.
* **Worldly Cares**: Jesus often warned against allowing "the cares of this world" (cf. [[Matthew 13:22]]; [[Mark 4:19]]; [[Luke 8:14]]) to choke the word of God. Perispáō encapsulates the experience of being overwhelmed by such cares, preventing spiritual growth and attentiveness.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of περισπάω (perispáō, `{{G4049}}`) in [[Luke 10:40]] carries profound theological weight, serving as a crucial lesson on spiritual priorities.
1. **Prioritizing the Spiritual over the Practical**: The narrative of Martha and Mary is not a condemnation of hospitality or service, which are vital Christian virtues. Rather, it is a powerful teaching on the *supremacy of spiritual nourishment and communion with Christ*. Martha's "cumbering" illustrates the danger of allowing even good and necessary practical duties to eclipse the essential act of listening to God's word and being in His presence. Jesus' gentle rebuke to Martha ("Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary," [[Luke 10:41-42]]) underscores that while many things demand our attention, only one is truly indispensable for the soul.
2. **The Nature of Distraction**: Perispáō reveals that spiritual distraction is not merely a passive state but an active pulling away of one's focus by multiple concerns. This fragmentation of attention prevents deep engagement with God. It highlights how internal anxiety and external demands can combine to create a spiritual barrier, even when one is engaged in seemingly righteous activities.
3. **Choosing the "Better Part"**: Mary's choice, commended by Jesus as "the good portion" or "the better part" (τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα, tēn agathēn merida, [[Luke 10:42]]), stands in stark contrast to Martha's distraction. This "better part" is the intentional decision to prioritize spiritual attentiveness, learning, and relationship with Christ above all other competing demands. It is a choice that cannot be taken away, implying its eternal value and foundational importance for the believer's life.
### Summary
The Greek verb περισπάω (perispáō, `{{G4049}}`) fundamentally means "to drag all around" or "to pull in various directions." In its singular New Testament usage in [[Luke 10:40]], it vividly describes Martha's state of being "distracted" or "cumbered" by her extensive preparations for Jesus. This word powerfully illustrates the spiritual danger of allowing even legitimate practical duties to overwhelm one's focus and pull attention away from the essential priority of listening to and communing with Christ. The passage serves as a timeless reminder that while service is valuable, it must not become a source of anxiety or distraction that eclipses the "better part"—devotion to the Lord and His word. Perispáō thus highlights the critical need for believers to guard against fragmented attention and to intentionally choose spiritual priorities in a world full of competing demands.
TRV