Divine Patience: τροποφορέω (Strong’s G5159: tropophoreo) Reveals God’s Tender Care

Strong’s G5159: A compound verb meaning “to bear with someone’s ways,” tropophoreo appears in Acts describing God’s patient endurance with Israel in the wilderness. It emphasizes divine forbearance and nurturing care despite human waywardness.

U- Unveiling the Word

The Greek word τροποφορέω (tropophoreo) uniquely describes God’s patient bearing with His people’s ways. In the New Testament, it appears specifically in Paul’s sermon at Antioch, recounting God’s faithful care of Israel during their wilderness wanderings. The word combines the concepts of manner/behavior with bearing/carrying, painting a picture of divine nurture that persists despite human failings. The early church fathers frequently used τροποφορέω when discussing God’s patient shepherding of His people. Today, this word continues to remind believers of God’s enduring patience and nurturing care.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τροποφορέω, tropophoreo, tro-po-for-EH-oh
• Detailed pronunciation: τρο (tro) + πο (po) + φο (for) + ρέω (EH-oh)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: τρόπος (tropos) meaning “manner/way”
• Root: φορέω (phoreo) meaning “to bear/carry”
• Combined meaning: “to bear with one’s ways”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: “to bear with behavior”
• To endure patiently
• To nurture despite faults
• To care for persistently

For compound words: This word combines tropos (manner/way) with phoreo (to bear) to express the concept of patiently bearing with someone’s behavior or ways

Translation Options:

1. “to bear with” – Most literal meaning
2. “to put up with” – Colloquial equivalent
3. “to nurture patiently” – Contextual meaning

E – Exploring Similar Words

ἀνέχομαι (anechomai) [an-EKH-o-my] – to endure – See G430
μακροθυμέω (makrothumeo) [mak-ro-thoo-MEH-oh] – to be patient – See G3114
ὑπομένω (hupomeno) [hoo-po-MEN-oh] – to persevere – See G5278

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Perfective

The verb would change form based on usage:

• Present: τροποφορέω (I bear with)
• Aorist: ἐτροποφόρησα (I bore with)
• Perfect: τετροποφόρηκα (I have borne with)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Major lexicons provide rich insight into τροποφορέω’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its unique application to God’s patient care for Israel. Thayer’s lexicon traces its compound formation and specialized meaning. LSJ documents its rare usage in broader Greek literature. Vine’s expands on its theological significance regarding divine forbearance. Strong’s confirms its basic meaning while LEH adds valuable context from Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan’s papyrological evidence shows its uncommon nature, highlighting its specialized theological significance.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“For about forty years he endured their conduct [ἐτροποφόρησεν] in the wilderness.” Acts 13:18

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence of τροποφορέω in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word τροποφορέω beautifully captures God’s patient, nurturing care despite human waywardness. As seen in Israel’s wilderness journey, it reveals a divine love that persists through rebellion and complaint. This promotes the good news by showing us a God who doesn’t merely tolerate but actively nurtures His people through their struggles. Through τροποφορέω, we see the heart of our heavenly Father who continues to bear with us while transforming us into His image.

D – Did You Know?

1. τροποφορέω appears in some manuscripts as τροφοφορέω (“to nourish”)
2. The word influenced early Christian discussions of divine pedagogy
3. It appears uniquely in contexts of communal rather than individual care

Strong’s G5159: A compound verb meaning “to bear with someone’s ways,” tropophoreo appears in Acts describing God’s patient endurance with Israel in the wilderness. It emphasizes divine forbearance and nurturing care despite human waywardness.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: patience, endurance, divine care, nurture, wilderness, forbearance, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, Koine Greek, God’s character, Israel’s history, pastoral care​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​