Understanding διαφέρω (diapherō) Strong’s G1308: The Divine Excellence That Sets Apart God’s People and Creation

Pronunciation Guide: dee-af-er’-o (where the ‘ph’ is pronounced as in ‘philosophy’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1308: διαφέρω (diapherō) fundamentally means “to carry through” or “to differ.” From this core meaning emerge the notions of carrying apart, excelling, or surpassing in value. In the New Testament, διαφέρω frequently conveys the concept of superiority, distinction, or carrying a matter through to completion. It powerfully illustrates how God’s people and ways are set apart from worldly standards.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of διά (dia, “through”) + φέρω (pherō, “to bear/carry”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative passages, Jesus’ teachings, and Pauline epistles
• Voice: Occurs in active, middle, and passive forms
• Tense: Primarily present and imperfect tenses

διαφέρω Morphology:

• διαφέρω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I differ, excel, carry through
• διαφέρει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it differs, excels
• διαφέρομεν (present active indicative, 1st person plural) – we differ, excel
• διαφέροντα (present active participle, accusative plural neuter) – things that differ/excel
• διαφέρουσιν (present active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they differ, excel
• διέφερον (imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they were differing, excelling

Origin & History

The compound verb διαφέρω has a rich history in classical Greek literature dating back to the 5th century BCE. In works like Herodotus’ “Histories,” it primarily meant “to carry across” or “to transport,” often describing the physical movement of objects or people across geographical boundaries. By the time of Plato and Aristotle, the word had acquired more metaphorical dimensions, signifying intellectual and moral distinctions.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διαφέρω appears in texts like 1 Maccabees 10:46, where it conveys the notion of “carrying a message.” Its usage evolved in Hellenistic Greek to emphasize the concepts of difference and excellence. This semantic trajectory continued in early Christian literature, where Church Fathers like Clement of Alexandria and Origen employed διαφέρω to highlight the distinctive nature of Christian virtues and teachings compared to pagan philosophies. In Origen’s “Against Celsus,” he specifically uses διαφέρω to emphasize the superior nature of God’s wisdom compared to human reasoning.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To carry across or through, to transport from one place to another
• To differ, to be distinguished from something else
• To excel, to be superior or of greater value
• To be of importance, to matter significantly
• To spread abroad (as news or information)

διαφέρω Translation Options:

• “To excel” – When highlighting superiority or greater value, especially in passages like Matthew 6:26 where human worth is compared to birds
• “To carry through” – In contexts involving the transportation of items or the spread of information
• “To differ” – When emphasizing distinction or differentiation between concepts or entities, particularly in Paul’s epistles
• “To matter” – In impersonal constructions where importance is being conveyed
• “To surpass” – When the context emphasizes exceeding a standard or expectation

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διαφέρω appears 13 times, with meanings that encompass both literal carrying and metaphorical distinctions of value and difference. Jesus employs it in His Sermon on the Mount to emphasize human worth in God’s eyes. Paul uses it to highlight spiritual discernment and the superior quality of believers’ identity in the Messiah.

The verb’s usage in the Septuagint is more limited but consistently maintains the core ideas of difference and transportation. When we examine the pattern across Scripture, we see διαφέρω frequently employed to establish value hierarchies that challenge worldly perspectives. Its appearance often marks passages where God’s economy of value is being contrasted with human evaluations, reinforcing the theme that what matters to יהוה often differs dramatically from what the world esteems.

• “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than [διαφέρετε] they?” Matthew 6:26
• “And because of his words many were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. News about him spread [διαφέρω] quickly over the whole region of Galilee.” Mark 1:28
• “And so that you may be able to discern what is best [διαφέροντα]…” Philippians 1:10
• “How much more valuable [διαφέρει] is a person than a sheep!” Matthew 12:12
• “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance [διαφέρω] the gospel.” Philippians 1:12
• “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of the Messiah among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to [διαφέρω] such a task?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
• “…the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor [διαφέρω].” Acts 19:17

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, διαφέρω had significant commercial applications, frequently appearing in shipping documents and cargo manifests where it described the transportation of goods. This commercial context sheds light on Jesus’ usage in Matthew 6:26, where He isn’t merely making an abstract comparison between humans and birds but is employing marketplace language. Just as merchants would assess the differing values of goods being “carried through” (διαφέρω) the marketplace, Jesus challenges His hearers to recognize their superior worth in God’s divine economy.

The concept also had important legal dimensions in ancient Jewish culture. In rabbinic discussions of Torah law, the Hebrew equivalent (נשא – nasa) was used to distinguish between different levels of legal obligation and ritual purity. When Jesus and Paul use διαφέρω, they tap into this cultural framework of legal distinctions but revolutionize it by emphasizing internal spiritual value over external ritual compliance. This represents a profound reorientation of what “matters” (διαφέρει) in God’s kingdom—highlighting character and faith above ceremonial observance, while still honoring the Torah’s deeper spiritual intent.

Theological Significance

διαφέρω embodies a radical theological principle: God’s value system differs fundamentally from human estimations. When Jesus declares that humans “excel” (διαφέρετε) the birds despite their apparent vulnerability, He reveals a God who measures worth not by productivity or utility but by relationship and divine image-bearing. This challenges the utilitarian metrics of both ancient and modern societies, pointing instead to intrinsic value bestowed by the Creator.

The verb also carries significant christological implications. Paul’s use of διαφέροντα (“things that excel”) in Philippians 1:10 suggests that discerning spiritual excellence requires seeing reality through the lens of the Messiah’s humility and sacrifice. The incarnation itself represents the ultimate “carrying through” (διαφέρω) as God transports His presence into human experience. In this light, διαφέρω points to the mystery of divine condescension—יהוה becoming flesh to transport humanity into His presence. This divine bridge-building reveals a God whose love compels Him to cross the infinite distance between divinity and humanity, not counting His glory as something to be grasped but making Himself nothing for our salvation.

Personal Application

Understanding διαφέρω invites us to a profound reexamination of our personal value systems. In a world that constantly assesses worth based on productivity, appearance, or social status, Jesus’ teaching that we “excel” (διαφέρετε) the birds calls us to recognize our immeasurable value in our heavenly Father’s eyes. This isn’t mere positive thinking but a radical reorientation toward seeing ourselves as יהוה sees us—treasured beings worth the blood of His Son.

This word also challenges us to “carry through” the message of the gospel in a distinctive way. Just as news about Jesus “spread” (διαφέρω) throughout Galilee, we are called to transport the transformative reality of His kingdom into every domain of our lives. When we truly grasp how we “differ” as citizens of heaven, we begin living by kingdom values that often stand in stark contrast to cultural norms. The next time you feel worthless or insignificant, remember the διαφέρω declaration of your Messiah—you matter immeasurably to the One who counts even the hairs on your head.

Related Words

• ὑπερφέρω (hyperpherō) – to bear or carry over, to surpass exceedingly. This intensified form emphasizes extraordinary superiority, going beyond the comparative excellence of διαφέρω to indicate overwhelming supremacy. See G5342
• προφέρω (propherō) – to bring forth, produce, or utter. While διαφέρω emphasizes distinctive movement or value, προφέρω focuses on bringing something into manifestation or visibility. See G4393
• φέρω (pherō) – to bear, carry, or bring. As the root of διαφέρω, it lacks the “through” or comparative dimension, focusing instead on simple transportation or endurance without the notions of distinction or excellence. See G5342
• διακρίνω (diakrinō) – to separate thoroughly, to discriminate. While similar to διαφέρω in distinguishing between things, διακρίνω emphasizes the act of judgment or discrimination rather than inherent difference or value. See G1252
• διαστέλλω (diastellō) – to set apart, distinguish, or give explicit instructions. Like διαφέρω, it involves separation, but focuses more on deliberate division or instruction rather than comparative value or transportation. See G1291

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek medical texts, διαφέρω was used to describe the “transport” of nutrients through the body or the spread of disease? This medical usage illuminates Paul’s metaphorical application when he speaks of the gospel “spreading” (διαφέρω) throughout the whole palace guard (Philippians 1:13), suggesting that the good news works like a healing agent moving through the social body.
• Did you know that Aristotle used διαφέρω extensively in his “Nicomachean Ethics” when discussing the differences between virtues? This philosophical background enriches our understanding of Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 1:10 to “discern what is best” (διαφέροντα), suggesting that spiritual maturity involves the same careful ethical discernment that Greek philosophers sought, but now informed by the revelation of the Messiah.
• Did you know that modern Greek still uses διαφέρω today, primarily in the sense of “it matters” or “it makes a difference”? The impersonal form “διαφέρει” is commonly heard in everyday Greek conversation to express that something is important or consequential. This contemporary usage preserves the ancient emphasis on distinction and significance found in the New Testament, reminding us that the biblical message about what truly “matters” continues to be relevant in modern times.

Remember This

διαφέρω reminds us that in God’s economy, true value isn’t determined by worldly standards but by the Messiah’s estimation—you are of such surpassing worth to Him that He carried your sins through the cross to bring you home.