Understanding ἀνταποδίδωμι (antapodidōmi) Strong’s G467: The Divine Principle of Reciprocal Reward and Righteous Recompense

Pronunciation Guide: ant-ap-od-ee’-do-mee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G467: A compound verb expressing the concept of giving back in return, whether in positive recompense or negative retribution. It carries the sense of a complete and proportional repayment or reward, often with divine implications. This word emphasizes the principle of righteous reciprocity in God’s economy.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from three elements: ἀντί (anti, “in return”) + ἀπό (apo, “from”) + δίδωμι (didōmi, “to give”)
• Primary usage in teaching passages and prophetic literature
• Common in both blessing and judgment contexts
• Frequently appears in the future tense, indicating divine promise

ἀνταποδίδωμι Morphology:

• ἀνταποδίδωμι (present active indicative) – I give back, repay
• ἀνταποδώσω (future active indicative) – I will repay
• ἀνταποδοθήσεται (future passive indicative) – it will be repaid
• ἀνταπόδος (aorist active imperative) – repay!
• ἀνταποδοῦναι (aorist active infinitive) – to repay

Origin & History

The concept embedded in ἀνταποδίδωμι has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used to describe both legal restitution and moral reciprocity. Xenophon employed it in his “Cyropaedia” (7.1.18) to describe the proper return of favors in Persian court culture.

In the Septuagint, this term gained significant theological weight, appearing frequently in the Psalms and Prophets to describe divine judgment and reward. The translation choice of ἀνταποδίδωμι for Hebrew שָׁלַם (shalam) and גָּמַל (gamal) demonstrates its association with God’s covenant faithfulness and justice.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his First Epistle to the Corinthians (Chapter 34), used ἀνταποδίδωμι to discuss divine recompense for faithful service, emphasizing both its encouraging and cautionary aspects.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Divine reciprocity in judgment or blessing
• Proportional recompense for actions
• Complete restoration or repayment
• Covenant-based retribution or reward

ἀνταποδίδωμι Translation Options:

• “To repay in full” – emphasizing completeness of recompense
• “To reward” – when context indicates positive reciprocity
• “To render back” – highlighting the reciprocal nature
• “To recompense” – maintaining formal theological tone
• “To give in return” – for general reciprocal contexts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀνταποδίδωμι appears primarily in contexts discussing divine justice and reward. Its first appearance in Luke 14:14 establishes the principle of divine compensation for unrequited righteous actions.

The word carries particular weight in Paul’s writings, where it often appears in discussions of divine judgment and eternal rewards. This usage reflects the Jewish understanding of מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה (middah k’neged middah, “measure for measure”), a fundamental principle of divine justice.

Significant appearances include:

• Luke 14:14 – “And you will be blessed, since they do not have means to repay you”
• Romans 11:35 – “Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?”
• Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay“
• 2 Thessalonians 1:6 – “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction”
• Hebrews 10:30 – “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay“

Cultural Insights

The concept of divine reciprocity embedded in ἀνταποδίδωμι resonates deeply with ancient Jewish understanding of גְּמוּל (gemul, “recompense”). In rabbinic literature, particularly in the Mishnah Avot, this principle is illustrated through the concept of מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה (middah k’neged middah), teaching that God’s responses to human actions are both proportional and appropriate.

This understanding was not merely theoretical but shaped daily life in Second Temple Judaism. The practice of interest-free loans (gemach) and care for the poor were seen as actions that God would certainly repay, though the timing and manner remained in His sovereign wisdom.

Theological Significance

ἀνταποδίδωμι reveals a crucial aspect of God’s character – His perfect justice and faithfulness in responding to human actions. This word teaches us that nothing done for the Lord goes unnoticed or unrewarded, while also warning that rebellion against Him will face appropriate consequences.

The term bridges divine justice and mercy, showing that God’s repayment isn’t merely mechanical but reflects His covenant love. When used in positive contexts, it reveals the Lord’s generosity in rewarding those who honor Him, often exceeding the original deed in His response.

This word also points to the Messiah’s work, where Yeshua took upon Himself the negative repayment our sins deserved, while securing for us the positive reward of His perfect righteousness.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀνταποδίδωμι should transform how we view both our trials and our acts of service. When we serve those who cannot repay us, we’re not merely performing random acts of kindness – we’re making spiritual deposits into God’s perfect accounting system.

This reality should encourage us in times of unrecognized service or apparent injustice. Our Father sees, and His repayment is certain, whether in this life or the age to come. This truth calls us to live with eternal perspective, knowing that every act of faith and obedience carries divine significance.

Related Words

• ἀνταπόδομα (antapodoma) – recompense, reward – emphasizes the result of repayment rather than the act See G469
• ἀνταπόδοσις (antapodosis) – reward, recompense – focuses on the process of repayment See G468
• μισθαποδότης (misthapodotēs) – rewarder – specifically refers to God as the one who rewards faith See G3406
• ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi) – to give back – simpler form without the emphasis on reciprocity See G591

Did you Know?

• The compound structure of ἀνταποδίδωμι using both ἀντί and ἀπό makes it one of the most emphatic words for reciprocity in biblical Greek, emphasizing both the direction and completeness of the repayment.
• Modern Greek still uses this word in legal contexts for compensation and restitution, maintaining its ancient connotation of justice and proper reciprocity.
• The principle of divine reciprocity expressed in ἀνταποδίδωμι influenced the development of early Christian teachings on almsgiving and charitable works, though they were careful to maintain that salvation itself was by grace through faith.

Remember This

ἀνταποδίδωμι stands as a divine guarantee that God’s justice and generosity ensure no righteous act goes unrewarded and no covenant promise goes unfulfilled.