2006. epitédeios
Lexical Summary
epitédeios: Suitable, necessary, useful, advantageous

Original Word: ἐπιτήδειος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: epitédeios
Pronunciation: eh-pee-TAY-dee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-tay'-di-os)
KJV: things which are needful
NASB: necessary
Word Origin: [from epitedes (enough)]

1. serviceable
2. (by implication) requisite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
things which are needful.

From epitedes (enough); serviceable, i.e. (by implication) requisite -- things which are needful.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epitédes (enough)
Definition
convenient, necessary
NASB Translation
necessary (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2006: ἐπιτήδειος

ἐπιτήδειος, ἐπιτήδεια, ἐπιτηδειον, also ἐπιτήδειος, ἐπιτηδειον (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 11, 1) (ἐπιτηδές, adv, enough; and this according to Buttmann from ἐπί τάδε (? cf. Vanicek, p. 271));

1. fit, suitable, convenient, advantageous.

2. needful; plural τά ἐπιτήδεια especially the necessaries of life (Thucydides and following): with addition of τοῦ σώματος, James 2:16.

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Essence

Strong’s Greek 2006, ἐπιτήδιος, speaks of the “necessities” or “things suited” to sustain physical life. The word’s sole New Testament use turns attention to tangible provisions—food, clothing, shelter—without which the human body languishes. While the term itself is rare, its concept permeates Scripture’s call to practical mercy.

New Testament Usage

James 2:16 offers the only canonical occurrence: “and one of you says to him, ‘Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is that?” (James 2:16). Here ἐπιτήδια identifies the concrete items a destitute brother or sister lacks. James deliberately contrasts hollow words with deeds that supply those items, reinforcing the epistle’s overarching theme that genuine faith expresses itself through works (James 2:17-18).

Old Testament and Intertestamental Background

In the Septuagint, ἐπιτήδιος often renders Hebrew terms for “appropriate” or “necessary” provisions (e.g., 2 Samuel 12:3; Proverbs 31:27). These passages portray household management, hospitality, and social justice, demonstrating that meeting basic needs is not peripheral, but central, to covenant life. Jewish wisdom literature repeatedly lauds the righteous man who “shares his bread with the poor” (Isaiah 58:7), foreshadowing the New Testament ethic.

Historical Setting in Early Christianity

First-century believers lived amid economic disparities intensified by famine, persecution, and displacement (Acts 11:27-30; Hebrews 10:34). The church responded with concrete relief: “There were no needy ones among them” (Acts 4:34). Against that backdrop, James exposes the danger of reverting to mere verbal piety reminiscent of Greco-Roman patronage systems, where flattering words often replaced genuine aid.

Theological Significance

1. Incarnation Grounding. The call to supply ἐπιτήδια echoes the Word made flesh (John 1:14). As Christ ministered to bodily hunger (Mark 6:42) and illness (Matthew 4:24), believers are summoned to holistic care.
2. Faith-Works Unity. James 2:16 stands as a hinge verse, illustrating that saving faith inevitably produces actions proportionate to need. Neglect of ἐπιτήδια effectively denies the gospel’s transforming power.
3. Stewardship and Providence. God equips His people with resources not as private commodities but as stewardships for the common good (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). Supplying necessities participates in God’s providential care, mirroring the daily bread petition (Matthew 6:11).

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Benevolence Ministries. Local assemblies should maintain readiness to provide food, clothing, and housing assistance, ensuring that no member utters James’s empty benediction.
• Diaconal Leadership. Deacons (Acts 6:1-3) embody this mandate, organizing fair distribution and guarding against partiality that James elsewhere condemns (James 2:1-4).
• Integrated Discipleship. Teaching on ἐπιτήδια belongs within broader instruction on generosity, budgeting, and work, cultivating a community where every believer both gives and receives as need arises (Ephesians 4:28).

Application for Today

Modern believers confront needs both local and global—refugee crises, food insecurity, homelessness. James 2:16 challenges congregations to translate concern into concrete supply: grocery vouchers, job training, medical aid, shelter partnerships. Words of blessing remain indispensable, yet they must accompany actions meeting ἐπιτήδια so that faith may be shown complete.

“Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth” (1 John 3:18, echoing the principle articulated through ἐπιτήδια).

Forms and Transliterations
επετήδευσεν επιτηδεια επιτήδεια ἐπιτήδεια επιτηδεύμασι επιτηδεύμασί επιτηδεύμασιν επιτηδεύματα επιτηδεύματά επιτηδευμάτων επιτηδεύματων επιτηδεύσεις epitedeia epitēdeia epitḗdeia
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Englishman's Concordance
James 2:16 Adj-ANP
GRK: αὐτοῖς τὰ ἐπιτήδεια τοῦ σώματος
NAS: you do not give them what is necessary for [their] body,
KJV: not those things which are needful to the body;
INT: to them the needful things for the body

Strong's Greek 2006
1 Occurrence


ἐπιτήδεια — 1 Occ.

2005
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