2119. eukaireó

Lexical Summary

eukaireó: To have an opportunity, to be timely, to be convenient.

Original Word: εὐκαιρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: eukaireó
Pronunciation: yoo-kai-reh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-kahee-reh'-o)
KJV: have leisure (convenient time), spend time
NASB: have time, opportunity, spend time
Word Origin: [from G2121 (εὔκαιρος - strategic)]

1. to have good time, i.e. opportunity or leisure

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

have leisure, spend time.

From eukairos; to have good time, i.e. Opportunity or leisure -- have leisure (convenient time), spend time.

see GREEK eukairos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from eukairos
Definition
to have opportunity
NASB Translation
have time (1), opportunity (1), spend...time (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2119: εὐκαιρέω

εὐκαιρέω, ἐυκαίρω: imperfect εὐκαίρουν (so L T Tr WH in Mark 6:31; R G in Acts 17:21) and ηὐκαίρουν (R G in Mark, the passage cited; L T Tr WH in Acts, the passage cited) (between which the manuscripts vary, see εὐδοκέω, at the beginning); 1 aorist subjunctive ἐυκαιρήσω; (εὔκαιρος); a later word, from Polybius onward (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 125f; (Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 205; Sophocles Lexicon, under the word)); to have opportunity: 1 Corinthians 16:12; to have leisure, followed by an infinitive, to do something, Mark 6:31 ((Plutarch, ii., p. 223 d. Cleomedes (?) Anax. § 9)); to give one's time to a thing, εἰς τί, Acts 17:21.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Nuances

Strong’s 2119 speaks of “having or making good-time,” that is, possessing leisure or an appropriate opening for an action. It is more than mere availability; it highlights a moment that is seasonable, suitable, or advantageous for the intended purpose.

Occurrences in Scripture

Mark 6:31 – The disciples are so flooded by ministry demands that “they did not even have time to eat.”

Acts 17:21 – Athenians and resident foreigners “spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and discussing the latest ideas.”

1 Corinthians 16:12 – Apollos will visit Corinth “when he has the opportunity.”

Theological Significance

1. Divine Rhythm of Work and Rest – In Mark 6:31 the Lord recognizes that relentless service, however noble, must give way to intervals of repose. The term underscores God’s design that ministry effectiveness grows out of properly ordered time.
2. Stewardship of Opportunity – Paul’s deference to Apollos’ timing (1 Corinthians 16:12) illustrates freedom from coercion and respect for a colleague’s discernment of God-given openings.
3. Vanity of Idle Curiosity – Luke exposes the Athenians’ misuse of leisure (Acts 17:21). They possess ample time but squander it on novelty rather than truth, contrasting sharply with the apostolic urgency to proclaim the gospel.

Historical Context

In Greco-Roman society the well-off often enjoyed discretionary hours, while laborers rarely did. Luke’s portrayal of the Athenians fits a cosmopolitan center where philosophy served as entertainment. By contrast, itinerant missionaries like Paul and Apollos viewed time as a trust committed by the risen Christ, to be invested in evangelism and edification.

Ministry Application

• Guard Time for Spiritual Renewal – The Lord Himself invites workers to step aside and regain strength, resisting the temptation to equate constant activity with faithfulness.
• Exercise Flexibility – Paul’s letter shows that plans, even apostolic ones, must bow to providential timing. Leaders should refrain from pressuring co-workers and allow God to open the right doors.
• Redeem Leisure – Moments of freedom can drift toward idle chatter or be harnessed for prayer, study, and witness. The choice reveals the heart’s priorities.

Related Concepts and Cross-References

Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5 – “Redeeming the time.”

Galatians 6:10 – “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Lessons for Believers Today

• Recognize that every “free” moment is a gift to be stewarded.
• Remember that authentic rest is not idleness but restoration for further obedience.
• Resist cultural pressures that either idolize busyness or trivialize downtime; instead seek Spirit-led balance.

Forms and Transliterations

ευκαιρηση ευκαιρήση εὐκαιρήσῃ ευκαιρουν εὐκαίρουν ηυκαιρουν ηυκαίρουν ηὐκαίρουν eukairese eukairēsē eukairḗsei eukairḗsēi eukairoun eukaíroun ēukairoun eykaíroun ēykaíroun

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 6:31 V-IIA-3P
GRK: οὐδὲ φαγεῖν εὐκαίρουν
NAS: and they did not even have time to eat.)
KJV: they had no leisure so much as
INT: not even to eat had they opportunity

Acts 17:21 V-IIA-3P
GRK: οὐδὲν ἕτερον ηὐκαίρουν ἢ λέγειν
NAS: visiting there used to spend their time in nothing
KJV: were there spent their time in
INT: nothing else spent their leisure than to tell

1 Corinthians 16:12 V-ASA-3S
GRK: δὲ ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ
NAS: when he has opportunity.
KJV: when he shall have convenient time.
INT: however when he shall have opportunity

Strong's Greek 2119
3 Occurrences

ηὐκαίρουν — 1 Occ.
εὐκαιρήσῃ — 1 Occ.
εὐκαίρουν — 1 Occ.