Lexical Summary metadidómi: To share, to impart, to give Original Word: μεταδίδωμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to give a share ofFrom meta and didomi; to give over, i.e. Share -- give, impart. see GREEK meta see GREEK didomi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and didómi Definition to give a share of NASB Translation gives (1), impart (2), share (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3330: μεταδίδωμιμεταδίδωμι; 2 aorist subjunctive μεταδῶ, imperative 3 person singular μεταδότω, infinitive μεταδοῦναι; (from Theognis, Herodotus down); to share a thing with anyone (see μετά, III. 1), to impart: absolutely ὁ μεταδιδούς, he that imparteth of his substance, Romans 12:8, cf. Fritzsche at the passage; τίνι, Ephesians 4:28; τίνι τί (a construction somewhat rare in Greek authors (Herodotus 9, 34 etc.), with whom μεταδίδωμι τίνι τίνος is more common; cf. Matthiae, ii., p. 798; (Winers Grammar, § 30, 7 b.; Buttmann, § 132, 8)), Romans 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; the accusative evident from the preceding context, Luke 3:11. Topical Lexicon Overview of New Testament Usage Strong’s Greek 3330 accents an intentional bestowal of what one personally possesses—whether material resources, spiritual enablement, or one’s very life—for the good of another. The term appears five times: Luke 3:11; Romans 1:11; Romans 12:8; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:8. In each setting the action springs from transformed hearts and functions as a sign of authentic discipleship. Contexts of Physical Provision Luke 3:11 records John the Baptist’s call to practical repentance: “Whoever has two tunics must share with him who has none, and whoever has food must do the same”. Here the word highlights a decisive, equitable redistribution that anticipates kingdom ethics. Ephesians 4:28 moves from prohibition (“must steal no longer”) to positive obedience: “so that he may have something to share with those in need”. Christian labor becomes a conduit of mercy, reversing self-centered theft with self-sacrificing generosity. Dimensions of Spiritual Impartation Paul expands the concept beyond material giving. In Romans 1:11 he yearns “to impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you”. The apostle’s authority and spiritual endowment are not hoarded but intentionally transmitted for communal edification. Romans 12:8 identifies generous giving as a Spirit-endowed grace in the body, urging the giver to exercise this gift “generously”. The self is the steward, not the owner, of both temporal and spiritual treasures. Ethic of Generosity and Transformation Metadidōmi consistently links inner renewal to outward action. The one who once stole now works and shares; the audience of John’s call validates repentance by meeting tangible needs; Paul’s ministry philosophy fuses gospel proclamation with self-giving relationships (1 Thessalonians 2:8). The word therefore carries an ethical imperative rooted in the new creation reality described throughout the New Testament: redeemed people resemble their giving God. Link with Old Testament and Intertestamental Thought Though the verb itself is Greek, the practice echoes Israel’s laws of gleaning (Leviticus 19:9-10) and prophetic denunciations of economic injustice (Isaiah 58:6-10). The Septuagint often uses cognate verbs to translate Hebrew roots for distributing or sharing sacrificial portions, creating a theological throughline: covenant faith expresses itself in openhandedness to neighbor. Application in Apostolic Ministry Paul’s teams model metadidōmi by coupling doctrinal instruction with personal investment—“not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Financial collections for Jerusalem (Romans 15; 2 Corinthians 8–9) extend the same principle: abundance in one part of the body alleviates lack in another, forging unity across ethnic and geographic lines. Legacy in Church History Early Christian writers viewed communal sharing in Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35 as the immediate fruit of metadidōmi. Later, monastic hospitality, medieval hospitals, and Reformation-era diaconal structures maintained the impulse. The term also informed teaching on spiritual fatherhood, catechesis, and mentoring, where seasoned believers impart doctrine and example to the next generation. Contemporary Ministry Implications 1. Stewardship: Personal earnings and church budgets alike are gathered so they may be released. Metadidōmi therefore frames Christian generosity as a holistic, Spirit-empowered act that mirrors the Father’s giving of the Son and the Son’s giving of the Spirit, calling every believer to hold possessions, abilities, and even life itself in open hands for the glory of God and the good of others. Forms and Transliterations μεταδιδοναι μεταδιδόναι μεταδιδόντος μεταδιδους μεταδιδούς μεταδιδοὺς μεταδοτω μεταδότω μεταδουναι μεταδούναι μεταδοῦναι μεταδω μεταδώ μεταδῶ μετέδωκα metadidonai metadidónai metadidous metadidoùs metado metadô metadō metadō̂ metadoto metadotō metadóto metadótō metadounai metadoûnaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 3:11 V-AMA-3SGRK: δύο χιτῶνας μεταδότω τῷ μὴ NAS: tunics is to share with him who has KJV: coats, let him impart to him that hath INT: two tunics let him impart to him that none Romans 1:11 V-ASA-1S Romans 12:8 V-PPA-NMS Ephesians 4:28 V-PNA 1 Thessalonians 2:8 V-ANA Strong's Greek 3330 |
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