from ὑπό and λαμβάνω; to take from below, i.e. carry upward; figuratively, to take up, i.e. continue a discourse or topic; mentally, to assume (presume):--answer, receive, suppose.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G5274 (ὑπολαμβάνω, *hypolambánō*) is a compound word formed from the preposition ὑπό (*hypo*), meaning "under" or "from below," and the verb λαμβάνω (*lambánō*, `{{G2983}}`), meaning "to take" or "to receive." This etymology provides the foundation for its diverse semantic range.
Literally, hypolambánō signifies "to take up from underneath" or "to lift up." This physical sense is most clearly seen in the context of taking something or someone upward.
Figuratively, its meaning expands into several distinct areas:
1. **To receive or welcome:** Extending from the physical act of taking someone up, it can mean to take someone in, to welcome, or to receive into one's company or care.
2. **To take up a discourse or topic; to answer/reply:** In a conversational context, it refers to "taking up" a point or question, hence to respond or answer. It implies a continuation or engagement with what has been said.
3. **To suppose, assume, or presume:** Mentally, it denotes "taking up" an idea or belief, forming a judgment, or making an assumption. This can involve an inference or a presumption about a situation.
Thus, hypolambánō spans a spectrum from literal physical elevation to engagement in dialogue and the formation of mental conclusions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G5274 appears four times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating a facet of its semantic range:
* **[[Acts 1:9]]**: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Here, hypolambánō (ἀνελήφθη, *anelēphthē*, from ἀναλαμβάνω `{{G328}}`, is used for Jesus being taken up, and then ὑπελάβετο, *hypelábeto*, for the cloud *receiving* Him.) This is the most literal sense of "to take from below and carry upward." The cloud actively "received" Jesus, signifying His divine ascension and transition from earthly visibility to heavenly glory. This usage emphasizes the supernatural agency involved in Christ's departure.
* **[[Luke 7:43]]**: "Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most, will love him most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged." In this passage, hypolambánō (ὑπολαμβάνω, *hypolambánō*) translates to "suppose" or "assume." Simon the Pharisee offers his reasoned judgment concerning the parable of the two debtors. His "supposition" is affirmed by Jesus as a correct judgment, demonstrating the verb's use for a mental conclusion that aligns with truth.
* **[[Acts 2:15]]**: "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." Here, Peter uses hypolambánō (ὑπολαμβάνετε, *hypolambánete*) to address the crowd's mistaken assumption about the disciples being drunk. This illustrates the verb's use for a mental presumption that is incorrect and requires correction. It highlights the human tendency to draw hasty or erroneous conclusions based on appearances.
* **[[3 John 1:8]]**: "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth." In this context, hypolambánō (ὑπολαμβάνειν, *hypolambánein*) means "to receive" or "to welcome." John encourages Gaius to offer hospitality and support to traveling missionaries. This sense moves beyond mere physical reception to an active embrace and support of those who labor for the truth, thereby becoming "fellowhelpers" in their mission.
### Related Words & Concepts
G5274 is intimately connected to its root verb λαμβάνω (lambánō, `{{G2983}}`), which broadly means "to take," "to grasp," or "to receive." The prefix ὑπό (*hypo*) adds the nuance of "from below" or "underneath," coloring the base meaning.
Other related words include:
* ἀναλαμβάνω (analambánō, `{{G328}}`): "to take up," often used in the context of ascension (e.g., Christ's ascension in [[Acts 1:2]], [[Acts 1:11]], [[Acts 1:22]]). While analambánō often implies a divine or active "taking up," hypolambánō in [[Acts 1:9]] specifically describes the *reception* by the cloud.
* προσλαμβάνω (proslambánō, `{{G4355}}`): "to take to oneself," "to receive kindly," or "to welcome." This verb shares the sense of reception and hospitality seen in [[3 John 1:8]].
* δοκέω (dokeō, `{{G1380}}`): "to think," "to suppose," "to seem." This verb overlaps with the "suppose" or "assume" meaning of hypolambánō in [[Luke 7:43]] and [[Acts 2:15]]. Both verbs address the formation of opinions or judgments.
* Concepts associated with hypolambánō include divine ascension, human judgment (both accurate discernment and mistaken assumption), and the practice of Christian hospitality and fellowship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of hypolambánō is multifaceted, touching upon Christology, pneumatology, and ecclesiology.
1. **Christ's Ascension and Divine Reception ([[Acts 1:9]]):** The use of hypolambánō to describe the cloud *receiving* Jesus into heaven is profoundly significant. It underscores the divine agency in Christ's exaltation. It is not merely that Jesus ascended by His own power, but that He was actively taken up and received into the heavenly realm by a cloud, symbolizing God's presence and glory. This emphasizes the supernatural nature of the ascension as a climactic event in salvation history, marking Christ's transition to His session at the right hand of God and the beginning of His intercessory ministry.
2. **Human Discernment and Truth ([[Luke 7:43]], [[Acts 2:15]]):** The "suppose" usage of hypolambánō highlights the human capacity for forming judgments, which can be either insightful or erroneous. In [[Luke 7:43]], Simon's correct "supposition" about love for forgiveness demonstrates that human reason, when open to truth, can align with divine principles. Conversely, in [[Acts 2:15]], the crowd's mistaken "supposition" about the disciples' drunkenness serves as a powerful reminder of the danger of superficial judgment and the need for spiritual discernment. This duality emphasizes the importance of seeking truth and avoiding hasty conclusions, particularly in matters of faith and spiritual experience.
3. **Christian Hospitality and Support ([[3 John 1:8]]):** The command to "receive" (hypolambánō) fellow workers for the truth speaks directly to the practical outworking of Christian love and fellowship. This is more than passive acceptance; it is an active "taking up" of responsibility to support and partner with those who proclaim the Gospel. It underscores the communal nature of the church's mission and the vital role of hospitality in facilitating the spread of divine truth. Such reception strengthens bonds within the body of Christ and contributes directly to the advancement of God's kingdom.
### Summary
The Greek verb G5274 (ὑπολαμβάνω, *hypolambánō*) is a rich term derived from "to take from below." Its semantic range extends from the literal act of physical elevation, as seen in the cloud "receiving" Christ at His ascension ([[Acts 1:9]]), to the mental act of forming a "supposition" or judgment, whether correct ([[Luke 7:43]]) or mistaken ([[Acts 2:15]]). Furthermore, it conveys the active "reception" or welcoming of individuals, particularly fellow laborers for the truth, as encouraged in [[3 John 1:8]].
Theologically, hypolambánō illuminates key aspects of Christian doctrine: it underscores the divine agency and supernatural nature of Christ's ascension; it highlights the human capacity for both accurate discernment and erroneous assumption, urging believers toward truth; and it emphasizes the crucial role of hospitality and active support within the Christian community as a means of advancing the Gospel. Thus, hypolambánō speaks to God's action, human responsibility, and communal living in the pursuit of truth.
TRV