Understanding ἀρκέω (arkeō) Strong’s G714: The Divine Sufficiency that Reveals God’s All-Sustaining Grace

Pronunciation Guide: ar-KEH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G714: ἀρκέω (arkeō) conveys the profound concept of being sufficient, adequate, or content with what is available. At its core, it expresses the state of having enough to meet a need or serve a purpose. This word carries the deeper theological implication that God’s provision is always sufficient for His people’s needs.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative and epistolary literature
• Root Meaning: To ward off, to be strong enough
• Voice: Active, Middle, and Passive forms

ἀρκέω Morphology:

• ἀρκέω (present active indicative) – I am sufficient
• ἀρκεῖ (third person singular present) – it is sufficient
• ἀρκέσει (future active indicative) – it will be sufficient
• ἀρκεσθησόμεθα (future passive indicative) – we will be content
• ἀρκούμενοι (present passive participle) – being content

Origin & History

The word ἀρκέω has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it initially meant “to ward off” or “to defend against.” Xenophon uses it in his “Memorabilia” to describe having sufficient strength to protect oneself. In the Septuagint, it takes on the meaning of sufficiency and adequacy, particularly in contexts of divine provision.

The semantic development shows a progression from physical defense to a state of contentment and sufficiency. By the time of the New Testament, while retaining its classical meaning of “being strong enough,” it had developed strong connotations of divine sufficiency and contentment with God’s provision.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To be sufficient or adequate for a specific need or purpose
• To be strong enough or capable of meeting a requirement
• To be satisfied or content with what one has
• To ward off or defend (classical usage)

ἀρκέω Translation Options:

• “To be sufficient” – When emphasizing God’s adequate provision
• “To be content” – When expressing satisfaction with circumstances
• “To be enough” – In contexts of quantity or measure
• “To suffice” – In formal or literary contexts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀρκέω appears prominently in contexts emphasizing divine sufficiency and human contentment with God’s provision. Its first appearance in Matthew 25:9 relates to the parable of the ten virgins, where the wise virgins state their oil would not be sufficient for both themselves and the foolish virgins.

The word reaches its theological apex in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” This usage perfectly encapsulates the word’s theological significance in expressing God’s complete adequacy for all human needs.

Key verses:

• “Our oil will not be sufficient [ἀρκέσῃ] for us and you.” Matthew 25:9
• “My grace is sufficient [ἀρκεῖ] for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
• “Being content [ἀρκούμενοι] with what you have.” Hebrews 13:5
• “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content [ἀρκεσθησόμεθα].” 1 Timothy 6:8
• “These things will suffice [ἀρκετὸν] for us.” John 14:8

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of sufficiency was deeply tied to the daily provision of manna in the wilderness. The Hebrew word “dai” (enough) was connected to God’s name “El Shaddai” (God Almighty, or more literally, God Who is Sufficient). This cultural understanding of divine sufficiency illuminates how the early Jewish believers would have understood ἀρκέω in their Greek Bible.

The word also carried significant meaning in the context of the ancient Mediterranean economy, where sufficiency often meant having just enough for daily needs rather than abundance. This cultural context helps explain why the New Testament frequently uses ἀρκέω in teachings about contentment and trust in God’s provision.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀρκέω in Scripture reveals a profound theology of divine sufficiency. It demonstrates that God’s provision, while not always abundant by human standards, is always perfectly adequate for His purposes. This is particularly evident in Paul’s experience with his thorn in the flesh, where God’s grace proves sufficient despite the continuation of his affliction.

The word also plays a crucial role in biblical teaching about contentment and trust. When Scripture uses ἀρκέω, it often contrasts divine sufficiency with human tendencies toward anxiety and greed. This highlights the theological truth that true contentment comes not from having more than enough, but from trusting in God’s sufficient provision.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀρκέω challenges believers to examine their view of sufficiency and contentment. Instead of measuring adequacy by worldly standards of abundance, we are called to recognize God’s provision as perfectly sufficient for our needs and His purposes.

This word invites us to practice contentment as an act of faith, trusting that God’s grace is truly sufficient for every circumstance. When we face limitations or lack, we can remember that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and His provision is always enough.

Related Words

• αὐτάρκης (autarkēs) – self-sufficient, content – A compound word related to ἀρκέω that emphasizes complete sufficiency See G842
• ἱκανός (hikanos) – sufficient, worthy, able – Often used interchangeably with ἀρκέω in contexts of adequacy See G2425
• πλήρης (plērēs) – full, complete – Relates to ἀρκέω but emphasizes fullness rather than sufficiency See G4134
• περισσεύω (perisseuō) – to abound, overflow – Contrasts with ἀρκέω by emphasizing abundance rather than mere sufficiency See G4052

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀρκέω in ancient Greek athletic training referred to having just enough strength to complete a race, which illuminates Paul’s usage of athletic metaphors in discussing spiritual sufficiency.
• In Byzantine Greek, ἀρκέω developed into a technical term for monastery provisions, indicating exactly what was needed for daily sustenance – no more, no less.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀρκετά (arketá), derived from ἀρκέω, to mean “enough” or “sufficient,” showing the enduring relevance of this concept.

Remember This

Divine sufficiency through ἀρκέω reminds us that God’s “enough” is always more than sufficient for His perfect purposes in our lives.