Brief Overview of περιέρχομαι (Strong’s G4022: perierchomai)

Strong’s G4022: A compound verb combining περί (around) and ἔρχομαι (to come/go), meaning “to go around, wander about.” In the New Testament, it describes both legitimate missionary travel and dubious wandering of false teachers, highlighting the contrast between purposeful and aimless movement.

U- Unveiling the Word

Περιέρχομαι represents purposeful or aimless movement in a circuit. As a compound word, it combines comprehensive movement (περί) with travel (ἔρχομαι), creating a picture of going about from place to place. In the New Testament, it appears in both positive contexts (missionary journeys) and negative ones (wandering exorcists, idle widows). This dual usage highlights the difference between purposeful Christian ministry and unfocused, potentially harmful wandering. Early church writers expanded this contrast to discuss the difference between legitimate Christian missionaries and wandering false teachers. Today, it challenges us to examine whether our activities serve God’s purpose or merely represent undirected movement.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: περιέρχομαι, perierchomai, [peh-ree-ER-kho-mai]
• Detailed pronunciation: peh-ree-ER-kho-mai (stress on third syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• περί (peri-): prefix meaning “around”
• ἔρχομαι (erchomai): root verb meaning “to come, go”
• Middle voice ending -ομαι indicating self-involvement

D – Defining Meanings

• To go about from place to place
• To wander around
• To make a circuit

For compound words: The prefix περί adds “around” to ἔρχομαι “to go,” creating the sense of comprehensive movement in a circuit

Translation Options:

1. Go about – Emphasizes purposeful movement
2. Wander around – Captures aimless movement
3. Travel about – Neutral description of movement

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διέρχομαι [dierchomai, dee-ER-kho-mai] – to go through, emphasizing progression
• παρέρχομαι [parerchomai, par-ER-kho-mai] – to pass by, emphasizing transition
• συνέρχομαι [synerchomai, syn-ER-kho-mai] – to come together, emphasizing gathering

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present, Imperfect
• Voice: Middle/Deponent
• Mood: Participle, Indicative
• Person: All persons
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous

Examples: go about, goes about, went about, going about

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both legitimate and questionable movement. Thayer’s notes its use for systematic travel. LSJ provides examples of both purposeful and aimless movement. Vine’s connects it to missionary activity. Strong’s emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the movement. Moulton and Milligan document its use in travel accounts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists [went about] to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits.” (Acts 19:13)

Additional References:
Acts 28:13, 1 Timothy 5:13, Hebrews 11:37

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Περιέρχομαι reminds us that movement without purpose can be dangerous, while movement with divine purpose advances the kingdom. The contrast between wandering exorcists and purposeful missionaries shows that the good news of King Jesus demands intentional, focused service rather than aimless activity.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient travel documents for official circuits
2. Applied to both religious and commercial travelers
3. Became a technical term for missionary activity

Strong’s G4022: Compound verb describing circular movement or wandering. Used both positively for missionary travel and negatively for aimless wandering. Emphasizes the importance of purpose in movement and activity.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #Movement #Missions #Travel #Wandering #FalseTeachers #BiblicalGreek #CompoundVerbs #Purpose #Ministry #EarlyChurch​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​