Word Study for G4241 (πρέπω) | Strong's Concordance

prépō /prep'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootapparently a primary verb

Meaningto tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) to be suitable or proper (third person singular present indicative, often used impersonally, it is fit or right)

KJV usagebecome, comely.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of prépō — 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 prépō, represented by G4241, denotes what is suitable, proper, or conspicuous. Its definition as "to tower up" implies a sense of being conspicuous, which by extension means to be suitable or fit. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses, where it is used to describe what is fitting for God, for Christ, and for believers.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4241 is used to establish a standard of appropriateness based on one's identity or purpose. For example, it was fitting, or it became God, to make the captain of salvation perfect through sufferings in order to bring many sons to glory Hebrews 2:10. Similarly, Jesus explained his baptism by John as an act that becometh them to fulfill all righteousness Matthew 3:15. The term also sets the standard for Christian conduct, where behaviors like fornication and uncleanness are not to be named among saints, as it does not becometh them Ephesians 5:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which something is considered suitable or "becoming":

G1343 dikaiosýnē (righteousness): This is the standard of equity that Jesus fulfilled because it was fitting for him to do so Matthew 3:15.
G2317 theosébeia (godliness): Conduct that is "becoming" is directly tied to the profession of godliness, which should be expressed through good works 1 Timothy 2:10.
G3741 hósios (holy): The character of the High Priest that became us is described as holy, meaning right by divine character Hebrews 7:26.
G5198 hygiaínō (sound): Paul instructs that speech should become or be suitable for sound doctrine, indicating a standard for teaching that is uncorrupt and true Titus 2:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4241 is significant, as it defines a principle of divine and moral propriety.

Divine Action: The term is used to explain God's wisdom in His plan of salvation. It became Him to perfect Christ through suffering, demonstrating that God's actions are always fitting to His glorious purpose Hebrews 2:10.
Christ's Character: G4241 establishes the suitability of Jesus as the perfect High Priest. It became us to have a High Priest who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners Hebrews 7:26.
Ethical Standard for Believers: The word provides a framework for Christian living. It calls believers to a lifestyle that is fitting for their status as saints, marked by good works 1 Timothy 2:10 and the avoidance of sins like uncleanness and covetousness Ephesians 5:3.

Summary

In summary, G4241 is more than a term for what is socially acceptable; it establishes a divine standard of what is suitable and right. From the actions of God in salvation to the personal conduct of a believer, prépō communicates a profound truth: that character and action should align. It defines what is appropriate for God, what was fitting for Christ, and what is becoming of those who follow Him.

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 7 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Neuter 2×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
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".
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
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 7 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Hebrews (2 verses); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

1 Corinthians

Ephesians

1 Timothy

Titus

Hebrews

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.