προσδέχομαι

prosdéchomai /pros-dekh'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom πρός and δέχομαι
Meaningto admit (to intercourse, hospitality, credence, or (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await (with confidence or patience)
KJV usageaccept, allow, look (wait) for, take.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word prosdéchomai, represented by G4327, means to admit, await with confidence, or accept. It appears 14 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible. The word conveys a sense of active and patient expectation, as well as the deliberate act of receiving or welcoming someone or something.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4327 is used in several key ways. It frequently describes the posture of the faithful who are awaiting God's salvation, as when Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel Luke 2:25 and Joseph of Arimathaea waited for the kingdom of God Mark 15:43. The term is also used for the act of receiving people, such as when the Pharisees complained that Jesus receiveth sinners Luke 15:2, or when Paul instructs the church to receive Phoebe in the Lord Romans 16:2. In a context of endurance, some martyrs were tortured, not accepting deliverance in hopes of a better resurrection Hebrews 11:35.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G4327:

  • G1680 elpís (hope): Defined as expectation or confidence, this is often the object of the waiting. Believers are described as looking for G4327 that blessed hope G1680 Titus 2:13.
  • G1010 bouleutḗs (counsellor): This term describes a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor G1010, is identified as one who waited G4327 for the kingdom of God Mark 15:43.
  • G1860 epangelía (promise): This word for a divine assurance or pledge appears in a plot against Paul, where the conspirators are looking for G4327 a promise from the commander to carry out their plan Acts 23:21.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4327 is significant, highlighting key aspects of the Christian faith.

  • Patient Expectation: The word defines the hopeful anticipation that characterizes a believer's life. This is not passive waiting but a confident looking for the fulfillment of God's promises, such as the appearing of Jesus Christ Titus 2:13, the mercy of our Lord Jude 1:21, and the redemption in Jerusalem Luke 2:38.
  • Welcoming Fellowship: G4327 underscores the importance of acceptance within the community of faith. Paul commands believers to receive fellow saints in the Lord Romans 16:2 and to hold such people in reputation Philippians 2:29. This reflects the grace first demonstrated by Jesus, who receiveth sinners Luke 15:2.
  • Endurance for a Future Hope: The act of accepting or not accepting something is tied to eternal perspective. Believers in Hebrews joyfully took G4327 the loss of their possessions because they were confident of a better and enduring substance in heaven Hebrews 10:34.

Summary

In summary, G4327 describes a foundational posture of faith. It is a word that combines patient waiting with active acceptance. Whether it is looking for the return of Christ, receiving a brother or sister in the Lord, or accepting hardship with an eye toward a greater reward, prosdéchomai captures the confident and welcoming spirit of one who trusts in God's ultimate plan.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 14 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms.

  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 3×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Dative Plural Masculine 2×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Middle Deponent Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
  • Imperfect Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
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".
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle
The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Middle Deponent
Middle in form but active in meaning.
Passive Deponent
Passive in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive
Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Luke (5 verses).

1
Mark
5
Luke
2
Acts
1
Romans
1
Philippians
1
Titus
2
Hebrews
1
Jude

Verse Explorer

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