Brief Overview of προσδέομαι (Strong’s G4326: prosdeomai)

Strong’s G4326: A compound verb combining pros (toward) with deomai (to need), meaning “to require in addition, to need besides.” Used in Acts to emphasize God’s complete self-sufficiency and independence from human service or provision, highlighting the contrast between divine sovereignty and human dependency.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσδέομαι represents the concept of requiring something additional or having further need. In its New Testament context, it appears significantly in Paul’s Areopagus speech, where he emphasizes that God does not [προσδέομαι] need anything from humans. This usage powerfully establishes God’s absolute self-sufficiency and sovereignty while highlighting humanity’s complete dependence on Him. Early church fathers frequently employed this term when discussing divine attributes, particularly God’s independence from creation. Today, it continues to challenge both philosophical assumptions about deity and human pride, reminding us that while God needs nothing from us, He graciously chooses to involve us in His work.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσδέομαι, prosdeomai, pros-DEH-oh-mai
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘DEH’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘mai’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “in addition, besides”
• δέομαι (deomai) – root verb meaning “to need, require”
  The combination indicates additional or supplementary need.

D – Defining Meanings

• To need in addition
• To require besides
• To be in want of something more

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds the concept of additional requirement, while δέομαι provides the basic meaning of needing or requiring. Together, they express the idea of having further or additional needs.

Translation Options:

• “to need additionally” – emphasizes supplementary requirements
• “to require further” – captures ongoing or additional needs
• “to be in want besides” – reflects the state of additional necessity

E – Exploring Similar Words

• δέομαι (deomai, DEH-oh-mai) – to need, without the additional aspect
  See G1189
• χρῄζω (chrēzō, KHRAY-zo) – to need, have necessity
  See G5535
• λείπω (leipō, LI-po) – to lack, be deficient
  See G3007

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσδέομαι shows these morphological features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Middle/Passive Deponent
• Mood: Participle
• Person: 3rd
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Continuous

The deponent form indicates that while middle/passive in form, it has an active meaning. The present participle suggests ongoing state or condition.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in philosophical discussions about divine nature. Thayer’s notes its particular application to God’s self-sufficiency. LSJ provides evidence of its use in classical philosophical texts. Vine’s connects it to the theme of divine independence. Strong’s highlights the compound nature affecting the scope of need. LEH notes its use in expressing supplementary requirements. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in commercial contexts of additional needs.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Nor is he served by human hands, as though he [προσδεόμενός] needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:25

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσδέομαι beautifully illustrates God’s perfect self-sufficiency while highlighting humanity’s complete dependence on Him. This reveals the wonder of the gospel: the God who needs nothing from us nevertheless chose to give everything for us in Christ. His independence magnifies His love – He serves us not from need but from pure, uncompelled grace.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears uniquely in Acts 17:25, specifically in Paul’s philosophical address to the Athenians
2. It was commonly used in Greek philosophical discussions about the nature of deity
3. The concept helped early Christian apologists explain the difference between the true God and pagan deities who were thought to need human service

Strong’s G4326: A compound verb combining pros (toward) with deomai (to need), meaning “to require in addition, to need besides.” Used in Acts to emphasize God’s complete self-sufficiency and independence from human service or provision, highlighting the contrast between divine sovereignty and human dependency.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: divine-attributes, self-sufficiency, independence, sovereignty, Areopagus-speech, Paul, philosophical-terms, compound-verb, Acts, apologetics, God’s-nature, human-dependency, divine-grace, theological-terms, missions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​