Introduction
Understanding Greek words is crucial for biblical studies, as it allows deeper insight into the meanings behind the original texts. The Greek word καρποφορέω (karpophoreō) is significant in the New Testament, carrying spiritual connotations that revolve around the concept of bearing fruit. It appears in contexts that emphasize growth, productivity, and the visible results of spiritual life, making it vital for interpreting passages about Christian maturity and conduct.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: καρποφορέω, transliterated as karpophoreō, pronounced [kar-po-for-EH-o].
- Etymology: Derived from καρπός (karpos, “fruit”) and φορέω (phoreō, “to bear” or “to carry”).
- Part of Speech: Verb; present active indicative.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- To bear fruit.
- To produce or yield fruit.
- Metaphorically, to exhibit good results or outcomes from one’s actions or spiritual life.
Similar Words: καρπός (karpos) [kar-POS] means “fruit” and is the noun form that represents the tangible product. In contrast, καρποφορέω (karpophoreō) is the verb that describes the action of producing fruit, which can be literal or metaphorical, such as in spiritual or moral contexts.
Further Insights: The verb καρποφορέω is often used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe spiritual productivity. For instance, it conveys the idea of the visible effects of a believer’s faith in their conduct and good works. Below is the conjugation of καρποφορέω in the present tense:
| Tense | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | καρποφορέω (I bear fruit) | καρποφοροῦμεν (we bear fruit) |
| 2nd | καρποφορέεις (you bear fruit) | καρποφορεῖτε (you all bear fruit) |
| 3rd | καρποφορέει (he/she/it bears fruit) | καρποφοροῦσι(ν) (they bear fruit) |
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Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: Defines καρποφορέω primarily as “to bear fruit,” with an emphasis on its figurative use in the context of producing good works or righteous behavior.
- Thayers: Explains καρποφορέω as both a literal and metaphorical term, primarily used in spiritual texts to convey the idea of a fruitful Christian life.
- Vines: Elaborates on the spiritual application of καρποφορέω, particularly in its usage in epistles to describe the visible results of a life lived in faith.
- LSJ: Lists καρποφορέω in both its literal and extended meanings, indicating its use in broader Greek literature beyond just the New Testament.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Identifies καρποφορέω as G2592 and highlights its occurrences in various New Testament passages where the theme of spiritual fruitfulness is emphasized.
Related Scripture References
- Colossians 1:10: “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit [καρποφοροῦντες] in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
- Mark 4:20: “And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit [καρποφοροῦσιν], thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
- John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit [καρποφορεῖ], for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English text with Greek word |
|---|---|---|
| Septuagint | Genesis 1:22 | “Be fruitful (καρποφορεῖτε) and multiply and fill the waters in the seas…” |
| Septuagint | Psalm 1:3 | “He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which bears its fruit (καρποφορεῖ) in its season…” |
| Septuagint | Jeremiah 17:8 | “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit (καρποφορεῖ).” |
Summary of καρποφορέω (G2592)
The verb καρποφορέω (karpophoreō) plays an essential role in the New Testament as it embodies both literal and metaphorical meanings of bearing fruit. In a spiritual context, it denotes the visible evidence of faith manifested in good works, righteousness, and spiritual growth. As such, this word provides insight into the expectations and standards set for believers in the early Christian church, emphasizing the importance of a productive and fruitful life.
Did You Know?
- καρποφορέω is often used in parables, such as in the Parable of the Sower, to illustrate the results of receiving and acting upon God’s Word.
- In ancient Greek agriculture, “bearing fruit” was not only a sign of life but also of favor and blessing, making its metaphorical usage in the Bible particularly potent.
- The word connects to broader themes in Christian doctrine, such as sanctification, where the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) becomes an essential evidence of transformation in a believer’s life.
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