The Greek word speírō, represented by G4687, means to scatter or sow, used both literally and figuratively. It appears 58 times in 42 unique verses in the Bible. The term can describe the act of sowing seed in a field, as well as the concept of receiving seed, highlighting its agricultural roots and broader metaphorical applications.
The semantic breadth of G4687 extends beyond mere physical dispersion to encompass the deliberate act of planting with an expectation of future growth or consequence. While inherently agricultural, the term carries an implicit intentionality, signifying an investment of effort or resource into a process designed to yield a specific outcome, whether positive or negative. This active agency is often contrasted with the passive reception of the seed, or the surprising growth that may occur independent of human effort, underscoring both human responsibility and divine sovereignty in the spiritual harvest.
In the biblical narrative, G4687 is used in several significant contexts, most notably in the Parable of the Sower. Here, the act of sowing is directly equated with spreading the word of God Mark 4:14. The different types of ground where the seed falls represent how people receive the word (Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:23). The term also establishes a core spiritual principle: one will reap what one sows Galatians 6:7. This is applied to generosity, where sowing bountifully leads to a bountiful harvest 2 Corinthians 9:6, and to the flesh versus the Spirit, where sowing to the Spirit leads to everlasting life Galatians 6:8.
Beyond the foundational parables, G4687 illustrates the complex dynamics of spiritual labor and divine provision. The apostle Paul employs the concept when asserting his right to support, asking, "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" 1 Corinthians 9:11, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between spiritual giving and material sustenance. Conversely, Jesus points to God's care for creation, noting that the ravens "neither sow nor reap" Luke 12:24 and the fowls of the air "sow not, neither do they reap" Matthew 6:26, yet God feeds them, emphasizing a divine provision that transcends human agricultural effort. The term also appears in parables to illustrate a distorted view of justice, where the wicked servant accuses his master of "reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed" Matthew 25:24, and the master ironically uses this same principle to condemn the servant's idleness Matthew 25:26, revealing a perversion of the natural order of sowing and reaping.
Several related words expand upon the agricultural and spiritual concepts associated with sowing:
- G4690 spérma (seed): This word, meaning something sown or offspring, is the object of the action of G4687. In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the good seed represents the children of the kingdom Matthew 13:37.
- G2325 therízō (reap): Defined as to harvest, this is the direct outcome of sowing. Scripture repeatedly links the two actions, stating that one will reap what one has sown (Galatians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 9:6).
- G2215 zizánion (tares): This word for darnel or false grain is used to describe what the enemy sowed among the wheat, representing the children of the wicked one Matthew 13:25.
- G2590 karpós (fruit): This term for fruit represents the result or yield of what is sown. James describes how the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace James 3:18.
- G4703 spóros (seed sown): This noun, derived directly from G4687, refers to the seed itself specifically in the context of being sown, or the act of sowing. It emphasizes the material that is put into the ground with the intention of growth, often used interchangeably with G4690 but with an added nuance of the active process of dispersion.
The theological weight of G4687 is significant, establishing key principles of Christian life and doctrine.
- Spiritual Cause and Effect: The concept of sowing and reaping establishes a foundational principle of spiritual accountability. Actions have consequences, whether one sows to the flesh and reaps corruption G5356, or sows to the Spirit and reaps eternal life Galatians 6:8.
- The Proclamation of the Word: G4687 is the central metaphor for spreading the gospel. The sower is identified as one who sows the word Mark 4:14, with the Son of Man himself being the one who sows the good seed Matthew 13:37.
- The Nature of Resurrection: The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of sowing to explain the transformation from the physical body to the resurrected spiritual body. The body is sown in corruption, dishonor, and weakness, but it is raised G1453 in incorruption, glory, and power 1 Corinthians 15:42-43.
- Partnership in Ministry: G4687 highlights the collaborative nature of God's work, particularly in evangelism. Jesus speaks of a time when "he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" John 4:36, acknowledging that different individuals may contribute to the spiritual harvest at different stages of the process, yet share equally in the joy of its fruit. This also reinforces the truth that "One soweth, and another reapeth" John 4:37, emphasizing the continuity and shared effort in the kingdom of God.
G4687 speírō is a pivotal Greek verb in the New Testament, serving as a dynamic metaphor that bridges the physical act of agriculture with profound spiritual realities. Fundamentally meaning "to sow or scatter," its usage extends from the literal dispersion of seed in a field to the metaphorical dissemination of the word of God and the principles of the Christian life. The Parable of the Sower, a cornerstone illustration, vividly portrays the varied reception of the gospel message, demonstrating how the act of "sowing" the word Mark 4:14 leads to diverse outcomes depending on the ground it falls upon.
The term underpins a foundational spiritual law: the principle of cause and effect, where one inevitably reaps what one sows Galatians 6:7. This immutable truth applies not only to moral conduct, contrasting sowing to the flesh with sowing to the Spirit Galatians 6:8, but also to generosity in giving 2 Corinthians 9:6. Furthermore, speírō informs our understanding of the divine economy, where God provides for creation even without their acts of "sowing" Luke 12:24, and underscores the collaborative nature of ministry, where "he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" John 4:36.
Perhaps one of its most profound theological applications is found in the Apostle Paul's explanation of the resurrection. Here, the physical body is metaphorically "sown" in corruption, dishonour, and weakness, anticipating its miraculous "raising" in incorruption, glory, and power as a spiritual body 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. Thus, speírō encapsulates not just human action and responsibility, but also divine provision, partnership in the gospel, and the ultimate hope of bodily transformation. It serves as a powerful and versatile concept, illuminating the interconnectedness of human effort, divine grace, and eschatological promise within the biblical narrative.
TRV