Lexical Summary metalambanó: To partake, to share, to receive a portion Original Word: μεταλαμβάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to partake of, shareFrom meta and lambano; to participate; genitive case, to accept (and use) -- eat, have, be partaker, receive, take. see GREEK meta see GREEK lambano HELPS Word-studies 3335 metalambánō (from 3326 /metá, "change after being with," and 2983 /lambánō, "aggressively take or receive") – properly, to lay hold of with initiative which prompts "a change afterward," i.e. to show real interest which brings certain change. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and lambanó Definition to partake of NASB Translation find (1), receive his share (1), receives (1), share (1), take (2), taking...together (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3335: μεταλαμβάνωμεταλαμβάνω; imperfect μετελάμβανον; 2 aorist infinitive μεταλαβεῖν, participle μεταλαβών; (see μετά, III. 1; from Pindar and Herodotus down); to be or to be made a partaker: genitive of the thing, 2 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 6:7; Hebrews 12:10; τροφῆς, to partake of, take (some) food, Acts 2:46; Acts 27:33f (in 34 Rec. προσλαβεῖν); with the accusative of the thing, to get, find (a whole): καιρόν, Acts 24:25; on the construction with the genitive and accusative see Krüger, § 47, 15; cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 8. Topical Lexicon Overview This verb portrays the deliberate act of taking hold of something in order to share in it—food, opportunity, blessing, or holiness. Across its seven New Testament appearances, the word moves from the commonplace (eating) to the sublime (sharing God’s holiness), always stressing that what God supplies must be actively embraced. Physical Nourishment and God’s Provision • Acts 2:46 shows the Jerusalem believers “sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,” intertwining table fellowship with worship and mission. Hospitality, practical care, and trust in divine provision converge: believers meet real needs while affirming that ordinary bread comes from the hand of a faithful God. Opportunity and Responsiveness to Truth When Felix heard Paul “on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” he answered, “When I find the time, I will summon you” (Acts 24:25). The verb here refers to grasping—or refusing to grasp—an opportune moment. Scripture warns that windows for repentance are God-given gifts that can be lost by procrastination. Agricultural Imagery and Divine Blessing • “For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it…receives the blessing of God” (Hebrews 6:7). The soil’s role is receptive; fruitfulness follows. Both texts highlight a gracious supply (rain/crops) that is to be received with diligence and gratitude. Participation in Holiness through Discipline “Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). The ultimate gift to be partaken of is God’s own moral purity. Divine discipline, far from punitive rejection, is the Father’s means to fit His children for everlasting fellowship with Him. Interrelated Theological Themes 1. Provision originates with God; participation rests on human response. Ministry Implications • Practice hospitable, joyful meal-sharing as a means of discipleship. Historical Notes Early Christian writers linked Acts 2:46 to the agape feast and weekly Communion, seeing communal meals as a signature of the new covenant community. Reformers cited 2 Timothy 2:6 to defend the livelihood of ministers, while expositors from Chrysostom onward used Hebrews 6:7 to illustrate covenant blessing and curse. Throughout church history the verb has reminded saints that every grace offered in Christ calls for active, grateful participation. Summary Whether the subject is bread on a table, rain on a field, discipline that refines, or holiness itself, Scripture presents God as the generous Giver and His people as invited participants. The call is simple yet searching: receive what He provides, partake with thankful diligence, and bear fruit that glorifies His name. Forms and Transliterations μεταλαβειν μεταλαβείν μεταλαβεῖν μεταλαβων μεταλαβών μεταλαβὼν μεταλαμβανει μεταλαμβάνει μεταλαμβανειν μεταλαμβάνειν μετελαμβανον μετελάμβανον metalabein metalabeîn metalabon metalabōn metalabṑn metalambanei metalambánei metalambanein metalambánein metelambanon metelámbanonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:46 V-IIA-3PGRK: οἶκον ἄρτον μετελάμβανον τροφῆς ἐν NAS: from house to house, they were taking their meals KJV: house to house, did eat their meat INT: house bread they partook of food with Acts 24:25 V-APA-NMS Acts 27:33 V-ANA Acts 27:34 V-ANA 2 Timothy 2:6 V-PNA Hebrews 6:7 V-PIA-3S Hebrews 12:10 V-ANA Strong's Greek 3335 |
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