Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies can reveal the rich layers of meaning that are often hidden in translation. The Greek word θεραπεύω (therapeuo) is particularly significant in the New Testament, where it frequently appears in the context of Jesus’ miraculous healings and acts of compassion. This verb is not limited to physical healing alone but encompasses a broader sense of care, service, and restoration, reflecting the depth of ancient Greek culture and thought about health, divinity, and service.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: θεραπεύω (therapeuo), [ther-ah-PYOO-oh]
• Etymology: Derived from the noun θεραπεία (therapeia), meaning “healing” or “service.”
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Grammatical Details: Present active indicative, first person singular form, with various conjugations in different tenses.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To Heal – Refers to the act of restoring health to the sick.
• To Cure – Implies providing a remedy or treatment to alleviate an ailment.
• To Serve – Encompasses a broader idea of attending to or taking care of someone, including acts of kindness or caregiving.
• To Worship – In some contexts, this word is used to mean serving or attending in a religious or devotional sense.

Similar Words: θεραπεύω is closely related to ἰάομαι (iaomai, [ee-AH-oh-my]), which also means “to heal” or “to cure.” However, ἰάομαι often emphasizes the healing process itself, whereas θεραπεύω can imply a more extended sense of care and service that may or may not include physical healing. Another related term is διακονέω (diakoneo, [dee-ak-on-EH-oh]), which focuses on serving or ministering, often in a broader non-medical sense.

Further Insights: θεραπεύω is a regular verb in Greek, conjugated according to standard patterns. Below is a table showing its full conjugation in the present tense:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Describes θεραπεύω as primarily meaning “to heal” or “to restore to health,” often associated with Jesus’ healing miracles in the Gospels. It notes that the term can also mean “to serve” or “to care for,” reflecting its use in various contexts.
• Thayers: Defines θεραπεύω as “to heal” or “to cure,” with a secondary sense of “to serve” or “to care for.” Thayers emphasizes its consistent use in the New Testament to describe acts of healing performed by divine intervention.
• Vines: Offers a comprehensive overview, noting that θεραπεύω is derived from the noun θεραπεία and encompasses both physical and spiritual healing. It highlights its usage in connection with Jesus’ ministry and the broader Greek concept of service to gods and men.
• LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Provides a range of meanings, from “to serve” and “to care for” to “to heal” or “to restore.” The lexicon also mentions that in some ancient Greek texts, θεραπεύω can imply a form of worship or devoted service.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists θεραπεύω as “to cure” or “to heal” and “to serve,” underlining its dual significance in both health-related and service-related contexts.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 4:23 – “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing [θεραπεύων] every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”
• Luke 9:6 – “Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing [θεραπεύοντες] everywhere.”
• Acts 4:22 – “For the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing [θεραπείας] had been performed.”

Classical Usage

Summary of θεραπεύω (G2323)

θεραπεύω (therapeuo) is a versatile Greek verb primarily meaning “to heal” or “to cure,” often used in the New Testament to describe the miraculous healings performed by Jesus and His disciples. It also carries the meaning “to serve” or “to care for,” reflecting a broader Greek cultural context that intertwines physical healing with acts of service and devotion. The term is deeply embedded in both classical literature and Biblical texts, highlighting the multifaceted nature of healing and care in ancient Greek society. Its use in the New Testament emphasizes not only physical restoration but also spiritual service and devotion.

Did You Know?

Did you know? The English word “therapy” comes directly from the Greek θεραπεύω (therapeuo), reflecting its broad meanings of healing and serving. In ancient Greek culture, this term could apply not just to physical healing but also to caring for someone in a broader sense, whether in medicine, philosophy, or even civic duty. Thus, the concept of “therapy” was much more holistic in the ancient world, addressing the needs of the body, mind, and soul alike.