Lexical Summary metechó: To partake, share, participate Original Word: μετέχω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance partake, take part, use. From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink) -- be partaker, pertain, take part, use. see GREEK meta see GREEK echo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and echó Definition to partake of, share in NASB Translation belongs (1), partake (3), partakes (1), partook (1), share (1), sharing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3348: μετέχωμετέχω; 2 aorist μετεσχον; perfect μετέσχηκα; to be or become partaker; to partake: τῆς ἐλπίδος αὐτοῦ, of the thing hoped for, 1 Corinthians 9:10 Rec. but G L T Tr WH have rightly restored ἐπ' ἐλπίδι τοῦ μετέχειν, in hope of partaking (of the harvest); with a genitive of the thing added, 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Corinthians 10:21; Hebrews 2:14; φυλῆς ἑτέρας, to belong to another tribe, be of another tribe, Hebrews 7:13; namely, τῆς τροφῆς, to partake of, eat, 1 Corinthians 10:30; γάλακτος, to partake of, feed on, milk, Hebrews 5:13; ἐκ τοῦ ἑνός ἄρτου namely, τί or τίνος (see ἐκ, I. 2 b.), 1 Corinthians 10:17; cf. Buttmann, § 132, 8; (Winer's Grammar, § 28, 1; 30, 8 a.). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3348 pictures an active, conscious sharing in something that profoundly unites the participants with the object or community shared. Across its eight New Testament occurrences the verb describes (1) Christ’s complete identification with humanity, (2) the believer’s sacramental and spiritual union with Christ, (3) the right of ministers to receive material support, and (4) the contrast between infancy and maturity in the life of faith. Christ’s Participation in Human Nature (Hebrews 2:14) “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil”. The Incarnation is no mere appearance; the Son truly took part in flesh and blood. His participation is the foundation of substitutionary atonement: only by fully entering our condition could He conquer death on our behalf. Any doctrine that minimizes the reality of this participation undermines redemption itself. Priestly and Tribal Participation (Hebrews 7:13) “He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar”. Hebrews argues that Jesus, though from Judah, “shared” nothing in the Levitical priesthood, thus establishing a priesthood “in the order of Melchizedek.” The verb underscores that lineage and legal precedent could not bind Christ; His priesthood is superior precisely because He does not partake of the limitations of the former covenant. Maturity Versus Immaturity (Hebrews 5:13) “Everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness”. The phrase literally speaks of “partaking of milk.” The writer rebukes believers who continue to share only elementary teaching. Participation must deepen—moving from milk to solid food—if believers are to discern good from evil and progress toward maturity. Ministerial Rights and Voluntary Restraint (1 Corinthians 9:10-12) “…the plowman should plow in hope, and the thresher in hope of sharing in the harvest … If others share this right over you, should we not much more?”. Paul cites the principle that gospel workers legitimately “share” in material benefits. Yet he relinquishes this right “in order not to hinder the gospel of Christ.” The verb signals both entitlement and humble self-denial, modeling how servants of Christ may yield personal privileges for the advance of the kingdom. Eucharistic Unity (1 Corinthians 10:17, 30) “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread … If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?”. Participation in the loaf symbolizes and effectuates the oneness of the church. Gratitude sanctifies the act, yet communal sensitivity governs its exercise (10:30-33). The verb therefore holds sacramental, ecclesial, and ethical dimensions. Exclusive Allegiance at the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 10:21) “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons”. Sharing in the Lord’s Table creates covenantal solidarity incompatible with idolatry. The sharp either-or warns believers against syncretism; spiritual communion demands exclusive loyalty. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Incarnation: Christ’s participation assures believers that He fully understands their frailty and has decisively broken death’s dominion. Conclusion Strong’s 3348 weaves together the Incarnation, the Lord’s Supper, ministerial support, and spiritual growth under a single theme: true participation creates real union. Because Scripture is self-consistent, each occurrence enriches the others, calling believers to deeper fellowship with Christ and holier separation from all that opposes Him. Forms and Transliterations μετασχείν μετασχέτω μετέσχε μετεσχεν μετέσχεν μετεσχηκεν μετέσχηκεν μετεχειν μετέχειν μετεχομεν μετέχομεν μετέχοντες μετεχουσιν μετέχουσιν μετεχω μετέχω μετεχων μετέχων metechein metéchein metecho metechō metécho metéchō metechomen metéchomen metechon metechōn metéchon metéchōn metechousin metéchousin metescheken meteschēken metéscheken metéschēken meteschen metéschenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 9:10 V-PNAGRK: ἐλπίδι τοῦ μετέχειν NAS: [to thresh] in hope of sharing [the crops]. KJV: in hope should be partaker of INT: hope to partake 1 Corinthians 9:12 V-PIA-3P 1 Corinthians 10:17 V-PIA-1P 1 Corinthians 10:21 V-PNA 1 Corinthians 10:30 V-PIA-1S Hebrews 2:14 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 5:13 V-PPA-NMS Hebrews 7:13 V-RIA-3S Strong's Greek 3348 |
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