Lexical Summary dórean: Freely, without cost, as a gift Original Word: δωρεάν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain. Accusative case of dorea as adverb; gratuitously (literally or figuratively) -- without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain. see GREEK dorea HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1432 dōreán(the adverbial form of 1431/dōrea) – something freely done (as gratis), i.e. without "cause"; unearned (undeserved); freely given (without cost) hence not done out of mere obligation or compulsion. See 1431 (dōrea). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from dórea Definition as a gift, to no purpose NASB Translation freely (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1432: δωρεάνδωρεάν, see δωρεά. Topical Lexicon Summary of Thematic Range Strong’s Greek 1432 (dōrean) appears nine times in the New Testament and consistently communicates the idea of something occurring “without cost, cause, or obligation.” Whether describing grace that cannot be purchased, hatred that lacks justification, or gospel service offered without fee, the term underscores divine generosity and uncompelled human response. Usage in the Teaching of Jesus Matthew 10:8 establishes the missionary ethic for the Twelve: “Freely you have received; freely give.” The Lord links the disciples’ power over sickness and demons to the gratuitous nature of God’s own gifts. By charging nothing for kingdom ministry, they demonstrate that salvation originates in God’s liberality, not human merit. John 15:25 cites Psalm prophecy: “They hated Me without reason.” Here dōrean exposes unjustified hostility toward the Messiah. The word’s flexibility embraces both positive gratuity (Matthew 10:8) and negative baselessness (John 15:25), yet in either case stresses the absence of a motivating price or cause. Pauline Theology of Free Grace Romans 3:24 epitomizes gospel doctrine: believers “are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Justification cannot be earned; it is bestowed apart from works, highlighting the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. Galatians 2:21 uses the same word to warn that if righteousness could arise from law-keeping, “Christ died for nothing.” Any attempt to supplement grace nullifies the cross and converts dōrean into futility rather than freedom. Ministerial Integrity and Financial Policy Paul adopted Jesus’ model, preaching “free of charge” (2 Corinthians 11:7) and refusing “to eat anyone’s bread without paying for it” (2 Thessalonians 3:8). By laboring with his own hands he ensured that congregations perceived the gospel as an unpurchasable gift, not a commodity. His example still informs contemporary discussions on bivocational ministry, missionary support, and stewardship. Eschatological Promise The final book of Scripture twice places dōrean on God’s lips. “To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6). “Let the one who is thirsty come… and the one who desires the water of life drink freely” (Revelation 22:17). The consummation of redemption remains as unmerited as its inception; what began with grace continues and culminates in grace. Theological and Practical Implications • Salvation cannot be bought, earned, or bargained for. Historical and Jewish Context First-century rabbis sometimes charged fees for legal opinions, but prophets traditionally refused payment (cf. 2 Kings 5:16). Jesus aligns His apostles with the prophetic pattern, contrasting them with contemporary religious profiteers. Paul, trained under Gamaliel yet a tentmaker by trade, embodies this counter-cultural stance by declining patronage that might cloud the gospel’s gratuity. Applications for Today Believers are called to mirror God’s generosity in evangelism, discipleship, and benevolence. Charging for the essentials of spiritual life risks obscuring the message that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Forms and Transliterations δωρεαν δωρεάν δωρεὰν dorean doreán doreàn dōrean dōreán dōreànLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 10:8 AdvGRK: δαιμόνια ἐκβάλλετε δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε δωρεὰν NAS: out demons. Freely you received, KJV: devils: freely ye have received, INT: demons cast out freely you received freely Matthew 10:8 Adv John 15:25 Adv Romans 3:24 Adv 2 Corinthians 11:7 Adv Galatians 2:21 Adv 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Adv Revelation 21:6 Adv Revelation 22:17 Adv |
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