The Greek word psōmízō, represented by G5595, means to supply with bits, or more generally, to nourish. It is also translated as (bestow to) feed. This word appears 3 times in 2 unique verses, highlighting its specific application in scripture.
In the New Testament, G5595 is used to describe acts of providing sustenance. In Romans 12:20, it is a direct command to feed an enemy who is hungry, presented as an act of compassionate response. In 1 Corinthians 13:3, the word is used to describe a hypothetical, ultimate act of charity: to bestow all of one's goods to feed the poor. This verse emphasizes that even such a significant act of nourishment is worthless without charity.
Several related words clarify the context in which G5595 is used:
- G3983 peináō (to famish; to crave): This word describes the state of being hungry, which prompts the action of feeding. It appears in direct connection with G5595 in the command, "if thine enemy hunger, feed him" Romans 12:20.
- G4222 potízō (to furnish drink, irrigate): Often paired with providing food, this term refers to giving drink. It is used alongside G5595 to complete the picture of providing for basic needs, as in "if he thirst, give him drink" Romans 12:20.
- G3860 paradídōmi (to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit): This word is used in parallel with G5595 to describe a profound act of sacrifice. In 1 Corinthians 13:3, bestowing goods to feed the poor is paralleled with the act to give one's body to be burned.
The use of G5595 carries significant theological weight, emphasizing the nature of true righteousness and love.
- Active Compassion for Enemies: The command to feed a hungry enemy in Romans 12:20 elevates the act from simple charity to a radical form of love. It is a practical application of overcoming evil with good.
- The Primacy of Charity: In 1 Corinthians 13:3, the act of using all one's possessions to feed the poor is presented as a monumental sacrifice. Yet, the verse teaches that even this extreme act is rendered meaningless ("it profiteth me nothing") if not motivated by charity, highlighting that the internal disposition is more valuable than the external action.
- Physical Act, Spiritual Parallel: While G5595 refers to literal feeding, it exists in a scriptural context where the related concepts of hunger and thirst are used to describe spiritual needs. Verses like "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness" Matthew 5:6 show how the basic human need for nourishment, addressed by acts like psōmízō, serves as a powerful metaphor for the soul's craving for God.
In summary, G5595 psōmízō, though appearing only a few times, captures a profound ethical principle. It moves beyond the simple definition of to nourish to illustrate core tenets of Christian living. Whether commanding the care of an enemy Romans 12:20 or serving as an example of ultimate sacrifice that is empty without love 1 Corinthians 13:3, the word emphasizes that the act of feeding is a vehicle for demonstrating transformative, divinely-inspired charity. It shows that in scripture, the most basic acts of providing for others carry immense theological significance.
TRV