287. amoibé
Lexical Summary
amoibé: Recompense, exchange, return

Original Word: ἀμοιβή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: amoibé
Pronunciation: ah-moy-BAY
Phonetic Spelling: (am-oy-bay')
KJV: requite
Word Origin: [from ameibo "to exchange"]

1. compensate

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
requite, recompense.

From ameibo (to exchange); requital -- requite.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ameibomai (to repay)
Definition
requital, recompense.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 287: ἀμοιβή

ἀμοιβή, (ῆς, (from ἀμείβω, as ἀλειφή from ἀλείφω, στοιβή from στείβω), a very common word with the Greeks, requital, recompense, in a good and a bad sense (from the significance of the middle ἀμείβομαι to requite, return like for like): in a good sense, 1 Timothy 5:4.

Topical Lexicon
Conceptual Essence

Strong’s Greek 287 (ἀμοιβή) denotes a return, exchange, or recompense that restores balance in a relationship. In Scripture the idea is neither commercial nor impersonal; it is a relational “giving back” motivated by gratitude and covenant loyalty.

Biblical Occurrence and Context

1 Timothy 5:4 places the term in the pastoral instruction concerning widows: “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show godliness toward their own family and to repay their parents; for this is pleasing in the sight of God” (Berean Standard Bible). Here ἀμοιβή frames adult children’s support of a widowed mother as a debt of honor owed for the nurture once received. Paul’s use is both practical—relieving the church’s benevolence roll—and theological, rooting social duty in worshipful obedience.

Old Testament Background

The Mosaic command, “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12), establishes filial care as covenant obligation. Proverbs 23:22 urges listening to one’s father and not despising one’s mother when she is old, anticipating the later New Testament call to ἀμοιβή. The Septuagint employs cognate terms (e.g., ἀνταπόδομα) to describe Yahweh’s righteous recompense (Psalm 28:4) and Israel’s responsibility to repay kindness (Ruth 2:12). Thus ἀμοιβή harmonizes with the broader biblical theology of recompense grounded in divine faithfulness.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Greco-Roman society expected children to care for aged parents (pietas). Yet pagan ethics could reduce the duty to social custom. Paul sanctifies the same expectation by locating it “in the sight of God.” The early church’s roster of widows (1 Timothy 5:9) functioned like a diaconal safety net; but before communal funds were tapped, natural kinship was to supply ἀμοιβή. This safeguarded limited resources for truly destitute widows while cultivating piety within households.

Theological and Ethical Implications

1. Worship Expressed in Works: Filial repayment is called “godliness” (εὐσέβεια). Scripture rejects any dichotomy between devotion to God and concrete care for family.
2. Reciprocal Grace: Children who once received unmerited nurture now give intentional nurture. The pattern mirrors the gospel, where believers repay the love of God not by equivalence but by faithful obedience (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
3. Witness to Society: Obedience in the household legitimizes the church’s proclamation (1 Timothy 5:8). Neglect would invite reproach, whereas ἀμοιβή adorns the doctrine of God.

Pastoral and Ecclesial Application

• Family Ministry: Churches encourage adult children to budget time and finances for aging parents, viewing such care as primary Christian duty, not optional charity.
• Widow Care Policy: Diaconal guidelines echo Paul—verifying family resources before corporate support; accepting those “truly widows” ensures stewardship (Acts 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:3-16).
• Intergenerational Discipleship: Teaching younger believers the biblical basis for ἀμοιβή prevents cultural individualism from eroding household responsibility.

Relation to Other New Testament Themes

While ἀμοιβή appears only once, its motif resonates with:
• ἀνταποδίδωμι (to repay, Luke 14:14; Romans 12:17) – divine and human recompense.
• τιμάω (to honor, Matthew 15:4-6; Ephesians 6:2) – covenant honor encompassing financial support.
• κοινωνία (sharing, Philippians 4:15) – partnership that meets material needs.

Contemporary Ministry Reflections

Modern longevity and mobility intensify the need for intentional ἀμοιβή. Believers navigate healthcare, housing, and legal planning for parents as acts of piety. Congregations may offer caregiver support groups, financial counseling, and practical aid, but always in partnership with the family’s first-line duty. In an age that often marginalizes the elderly, practicing ἀμοιβή testifies to the gospel’s countercultural love and reaffirms the enduring wisdom of Scripture.

Forms and Transliterations
αμοιβας αμοιβάς ἀμοιβὰς αμορίτην amoibas amoibàs
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Timothy 5:4 N-AFP
GRK: εὐσεβεῖν καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς
KJV: and to requite their parents:
INT: to be devout and recompense to give to

Strong's Greek 287
1 Occurrence


ἀμοιβὰς — 1 Occ.

286
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