Brief Overview of θεραπεύω (Strong’s G2323: therapeuo)

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

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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:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	θεραπεύω	θεραπεύομεν
2nd	θεραπεύεις	θεραπεύετε
3rd	θεραπεύει	θεραπεύουσι(ν)

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.

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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

Author	Name of Work	English Text
Plato	Laws	“One must serve the gods and obey the law, healing (θεραπεύειν) the soul.”
Xenophon	Memorabilia	“He taught them to heal (θεραπεύειν) the soul by philosophy, much like a doctor cures the body.”
Aristotle	Politics	“It is not enough to heal (θεραπεύειν) only the body; one must also serve the state.”
Septuagint	Exodus 21:19	“If he rises again and walks about on his staff, then he who struck him shall go unpunished; he shall only pay for the loss of his time and shall see that he is thoroughly healed (θεραπεύσει).”
Septuagint	Wisdom of Solomon 16:12	“For it was neither herb nor mollifying plaster that healed them, but Thy word, O Lord, which healeth (θεραπεύει).”
Septuagint	2 Maccabees 3:32	“He called upon the Lord, who had given him life, to restore him to health (θεραπεύσαι).”

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.