Understanding διατροφή (diatrophē) Strong’s G1305: God’s Provision for Sustenance and the Spiritual Nourishment That Satisfies

Pronunciation Guide: dee-at-rof-AY

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1305: διατροφή (diatrophē) refers to nourishment, sustenance, or maintenance necessary for life. It encompasses the concept of food and provision required for physical sustenance but extends to the broader idea of complete life support. In biblical usage, it connects material provision with divine care, emphasizing that true sustenance comes from God’s hand.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (feminine)
• Root Words: Derived from διατρέφω (diatrephō), which means “to nourish thoroughly” or “to provide for”
• Compound Structure: Formed from διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + τροφή (trophē, “nourishment”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in epistolary and teaching contexts, particularly in passages discussing contentment and God’s provision

διατροφή Morphology:

• διατροφή (nominative singular) – nourishment, sustenance
• διατροφῆς (genitive singular) – of nourishment
• διατροφῇ (dative singular) – with/by nourishment
• διατροφήν (accusative singular) – nourishment (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term διατροφή appears in classical Greek literature as early as the 5th century BCE, where it was used to denote comprehensive nourishment or maintenance. In works by Xenophon (Memorabilia 4.3.6), it refers to the provision of food for sustaining life. The word carries connotations of ongoing support rather than merely a single meal.

In the Septuagint (LXX), while διατροφή itself is rare, its root τροφή appears frequently in contexts of God’s provision, particularly in the wilderness narratives (Exodus 16:22, Numbers 11) where יהוה (Yahweh) provides manna as τροφή for His people. This establishes an important theological foundation for understanding διατροφή in its New Testament context as provision that comes from God. The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his Paedagogus, expanded on this concept, using διατροφή to discuss both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment provided by God’s Word.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Basic Sustenance – The essential food and drink needed to maintain physical life
• Complete Provision – The full range of necessities required for maintaining life
• Ongoing Maintenance – The continuous process of providing for one’s needs
• Livelihood – The means by which one supports oneself and one’s dependents

διατροφή Translation Options:

• Food and Clothing – Emphasizes the basic necessities of life, capturing the practical aspect of the term as used in 1 Timothy 6:8
• Sustenance – Highlights the ongoing nature of provision needed for life
• Maintenance – Stresses the continuing process of supporting life
• Provisions – Encompasses a broader range of necessities beyond just food
• Nourishment – Connects the physical aspect with potential spiritual implications

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διατροφή appears only once, in 1 Timothy 6:8, where Paul writes, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” Here, διατροφή is paired with σκεπάσματα (coverings/clothing), representing the basic necessities of life. The context is significant – Paul is addressing the danger of greed and the love of money, contrasting it with godly contentment.

While διατροφή itself is rare in biblical texts, its root concept appears throughout Scripture in discussions of God’s provision. The Messiah Jesus draws on this tradition when He teaches His disciples not to worry about food and clothing in Matthew 6:25-34, emphasizing that the Father knows what we need and will provide. This echoes the wilderness provision narratives where יהוה (Yahweh) supplied manna and quail.

• “But if we have food [διατροφάς] and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, food security was a constant concern. Most people lived at subsistence level, with limited food storage capabilities and vulnerability to crop failures. Within this context, διατροφή represented not luxury but survival. The average person in first-century Palestine spent approximately 70-80% of their income on food alone, making Paul’s message of contentment with basic διατροφή particularly countercultural.

Jewish cultural context adds another layer of meaning. The concept of provision was deeply connected to covenant faithfulness. When God provided manna in the wilderness, it was not merely addressing physical hunger but demonstrating His covenant loyalty. This understanding would have informed how early Jewish believers understood Paul’s teaching on διατροφή – not just as physical sustenance but as evidence of God’s ongoing covenant care. The daily gathering of manna taught Israel dependence on God’s daily provision, a concept that resonates with the Messiah’s teaching on praying for “daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer.

Theological Significance

The concept of διατροφή reveals a profound theological truth about God’s character as Provider (El Shaddai). When Paul encourages contentment with food and clothing, he is not promoting asceticism for its own sake but recognizing that the true source of security is not in abundance of possessions but in the God who provides. This reflects the consistent biblical theme that יהוה (Yahweh) sustains His people not only physically but spiritually.

The single appearance of διατροφή in Scripture is set within a larger discussion of godliness with contentment being “great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). This presents a stark contrast to the worldly pursuit of wealth that leads many to spiritual ruin. Paul’s teaching echoes the Messiah’s warning that one cannot serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). The concept of διατροφή thus becomes a theological touchstone for proper relationship to material goods – recognizing them as gifts from God to be received with gratitude rather than as security to be hoarded.

Personal Application

In our modern context of unprecedented material abundance and consumerism, the concept of διατροφή challenges us to reexamine our relationship with possessions. When we distinguish between needs and wants, between διατροφή (sustenance) and luxury, we create space for contentment and gratitude. This is not about embracing poverty but about finding freedom from the anxiety that comes from seeking security in possessions rather than in God.

Consider performing a “διατροφή audit” of your life. What constitutes true necessities? What has become excess? How might refocusing on διατροφή – being content with God’s provision of our basic needs – free us to be more generous and less anxious? When we trust in God’s provision of our διατροφή, we can hold possessions with an open hand, recognizing them as gifts to be received with gratitude and shared with generosity.

Related Words

• τροφή (trophē) [tro-FAY] – The simple form meaning “food” or “nourishment,” focusing more specifically on edible sustenance rather than broader provision. While διατροφή emphasizes ongoing sustenance, τροφή often refers to specific instances of nourishment. See G5160
• βρῶμα (brōma) [BRO-ma] – Refers specifically to “food” or “that which is eaten,” with a narrower focus than διατροφή. While διατροφή encompasses general sustenance, βρῶμα specifically denotes edible material. See G1033
• χορτάζω (chortazō) [khor-TAD-zo] – A verb meaning “to fill” or “to satisfy with food,” emphasizing the result of receiving nourishment. While διατροφή focuses on the provision itself, χορτάζω addresses the state of being satisfied. See G5526
• αὐτάρκεια (autarkeia) [ow-TAR-kay-a] – “Self-sufficiency” or “contentment,” closely related to the context where διατροφή appears. This word describes the state of being content with διατροφή rather than craving excess. See G841
• ἐπιούσιος (epiousios) [ep-ee-OO-see-os] – Used in the Lord’s Prayer to describe “daily bread,” conveying the idea of bread sufficient for the coming day. This connects conceptually with διατροφή’s emphasis on necessary provision. See G1967

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The concept of διατροφή in ancient Greek society extended beyond mere food to include all necessities for maintaining a household. For wealthy Greeks, providing διατροφή for one’s household was not just a practical matter but a social duty that demonstrated one’s honor and standing in the community. This cultural backdrop makes Paul’s teaching on contentment with simple διατροφή even more countercultural – he was challenging not just materialism but deeply ingrained social values about status and honor.
• Did you know? In rabbinic Judaism contemporary with the New Testament, the amount of food considered the minimum for sustenance (comparable to διατροφή) was precisely defined for legal purposes. The Mishnah stipulates that the minimum food donation to the poor should be enough for two meals, and the minimum a person should eat on Shabbat is three meals. These specific measurements helped define what constituted basic διατροφή versus excess in Jewish legal contexts, providing practical guidelines for generosity and proper observance.
• Did you know? The modern Greek word διατροφή has evolved to become the standard term for “diet” or “nutrition” in contemporary Greek. It is used in medical and scientific contexts to discuss healthy eating patterns and nutritional science. This semantic development maintains the core concept of nourishment but shifts the focus from basic subsistence to optimal health – a luxury the ancient world rarely had the opportunity to consider. This evolution reminds us how our understanding of “necessities” changes dramatically with historical and economic context.

Remember This

διατροφή reminds us that true contentment comes not from abundance of possessions but from recognizing God’s faithful provision of our needs and His presence that satisfies our souls.