Lexical Summary amoibé: Recompense, exchange, return Original Word: ἀμοιβή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance requite, recompense.From ameibo (to exchange); requital -- requite. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ameibomai (to repay) Definition requital, recompense. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 287: ἀμοιβήἀμοιβή, (ῆς, ἡ (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. 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. Relation to Other New Testament Themes While ἀμοιβή appears only once, its motif resonates with: 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 amoibàsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 5:4 N-AFPGRK: εὐσεβεῖν καὶ ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι τοῖς KJV: and to requite their parents: INT: to be devout and recompense to give to |
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