Word Study for G4064 (περιφέρω)

periphérō /per-ee-fer'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom περί and φέρω

Meaningto convey around, i.e. transport hither and thither

KJV usagebear (carry) about.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of periphérō — 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 periphérō, represented by G4064, is defined as to "convey around, i.e. transport hither and thither:--bear (carry) about." It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The word's usage spans from the literal, physical act of carrying an object or person to a powerful figurative depiction of being influenced and moved by spiritual or intellectual forces.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4064 is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Its most direct, physical meaning is seen in Mark's gospel, where people began to carry about in beds those who were sick to bring them to Jesus Mark 6:55. Figuratively, the term serves as a potent warning against spiritual instability. Believers are exhorted not to be like children, carried about with every wind of doctrine Ephesians 4:14, and similarly warned, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines" Hebrews 13:9. This imagery is further extended in Jude, which describes false teachers as clouds without water, carried about of winds Jude 1:12. In a unique theological application, the word describes the apostle Paul's experience of always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus 2 Corinthians 4:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which G4064 is used:

G1319 didaskalía (instruction): This word for doctrine or teaching is what believers are warned not to be carried about by. Its instability is compared to a "wind" that can toss immature believers to and fro Ephesians 4:14.
G417 ánemos (wind): This term is the agent of the figurative "carrying about," representing the shifting and unreliable nature of false teachings that can unsettle believers (Ephesians 4:14, Jude 1:12).
G2895 krábbatos (bed): In its literal sense, G4064 is used to describe carrying the sick on these mattresses, highlighting an act of physical transport and care for those in need Mark 6:55.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4064 is primarily seen in its contrast between stability and instability.

Warning Against Doctrinal Instability: The word is repeatedly used to caution against spiritual immaturity. Being "carried about with" false doctrines is a mark of being like children, susceptible to the "sleight of men" Ephesians 4:14 rather than being established in grace Hebrews 13:9. Jude uses this idea to characterize false teachers as fundamentally unstable and fruitless Jude 1:12.
Embodiment of Christ's Sufferings: The phrase "bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus" presents a profound theological concept 2 Corinthians 4:10. It signifies a believer's constant, active participation in the sufferings of Christ, which serves the ultimate purpose of making the life of Jesus manifest in them.
Compassionate Ministry in Action: The literal act of carrying the sick demonstrates a tangible, mobile response to human suffering. It shows ministry not as a static event but as an active effort to bring people to Jesus for healing Mark 6:55.

Summary

In summary, G4064 periphérō is a dynamic word that conveys movement, both literal and figurative. It describes the compassionate act of transporting the sick, the profound spiritual discipline of bearing Christ's dying in one's own body, and, most frequently, serves as a solemn warning. Scripture uses it to caution against being aimlessly carried about by unstable doctrines, contrasting this spiritual vulnerability with the stability that comes from a heart established by grace. The word powerfully illustrates the difference between being purposefully directed and being helplessly transported.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Plural Feminine 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
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 5 verses across 5 of the 27 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 22.

Mark

2 Corinthians

Ephesians

Hebrews

Jude

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.