Sacrificial Love: ὑποτίθημι (Strong’s G5294: hupotithemi) Shows Christ-like Devotion

Strong’s G5294: From hupo (under) and tithemi (to place), hupotithemi literally means to place under or risk. In NT usage, it particularly refers to laying down one’s life for others, as demonstrated in Romans 16:4, where believers risked their lives for Paul’s ministry.

U- Unveiling the Word

The verb ὑποτίθημι (hupotithemi) embodies the concept of placing something under, whether literally or metaphorically. In its New Testament context, it takes on the powerful meaning of risking or laying down one’s life for others. This compound word beautifully illustrates sacrificial love and service, as seen in Paul’s commendation of Prisca and Aquila who “laid down their own necks” for his life. The early church understood this word as expressing the ultimate form of Christian love, reflecting Messiah’s own sacrifice. Today, it continues to challenge believers to consider what they’re willing to risk or lay down for the sake of the gospel and their brothers and sisters in Messiah.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑποτίθημι, hupotithemi, hoo-po-TIH-thee-mee
• Detailed Pronunciation: hoó (as in “who”) – po (as in “post”) – TIH (as in “tip”) – thee (as in “thee”) – mee (as in “me”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• ὑπό (hupo) – prefix meaning “under”
• τίθημι (tithemi) – root verb meaning “to place, put, lay”
  The combination creates the meaning of placing or laying something under.

D – Defining Meanings

• To place under
• To risk, lay down (as in one’s life)
• To suggest, put forward (an idea)

For compound words:
The prefix ὑπό (under) combined with τίθημι (place) creates the image of placing something underneath, whether physically or metaphorically in the sense of risking or laying down one’s life.

Translation Options:

• “lay down” – Best captures the sacrificial aspect in NT usage
• “risk” – Emphasizes the voluntary exposure to danger
• “place under” – Most literal translation of the physical action

E – Exploring Similar Words

• προτίθημι (protithemi, pro-TIH-thee-mee) – to set forth, purpose
  See G4388
• παρατίθημι (paratithemi, pa-ra-TIH-thee-mee) – to set before, commit
  See G3908
• ἐπιτίθημι (epitithemi, ep-ee-TIH-thee-mee) – to put upon, lay on
  See G2007

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Punctiliar (Aorist), Resultative (Perfect)

Example forms:

• ὑποτίθημι – I lay down (Present Active Indicative)
• ὑπέθηκα – I laid down (Aorist Active Indicative)
• ὑποτιθέμενος – laying down (Present Middle Participle)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical research reveals ὑποτίθημι’s rich semantic range. BDAG emphasizes its usage in contexts of sacrificial risk-taking. Thayer’s notes its development from literal placing under to metaphorical laying down of life. LSJ documents its classical usage in both physical and metaphorical senses. Vine’s connects it to the concept of sacrificial love in the NT. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri showing its use in legal contexts for providing security or collateral. Strong’s highlights its compound nature and the significance of placing under, while LEH notes its Septuagint usage for setting foundations. The evidence suggests a term that moved from concrete physical placing to profound spiritual sacrifice.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Romans 16:4 “Who have for my life laid down [ὑποτίθημι] their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

Additional References:
1 Timothy 4:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word ὑποτίθημι powerfully captures the essence of sacrificial love in the kingdom of God. From its basic meaning of placing something under, it evolved to express the ultimate act of laying down one’s life for others. This word points us to the good news of King Jesus, who laid down His life for us, and calls us to similar sacrificial love. It reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about self-preservation but about being willing to risk everything for the sake of the gospel and our fellow believers.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word occurs only twice in the NT but represents one of the most powerful examples of sacrificial love in early church history.
2. Prisca and Aquila’s action described by this word became a model for Christian martyrdom.
3. The word was commonly used in business contexts for putting up collateral, making its sacrificial usage even more significant.

Strong’s G5294: From hupo (under) and tithemi (to place), hupotithemi literally means to place under or risk. In NT usage, it particularly refers to laying down one’s life for others, as demonstrated in Romans 16:4, where believers risked their lives for Paul’s ministry.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: sacrifice, risk, laying-down-life, martyrdom, love, commitment, service, devotion, risk-taking, Christian-sacrifice, ministry, apostolic-support​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​