3903. paraskeuazó

Lexical Summary

paraskeuazó: To prepare, make ready

Original Word: παρασκευάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: paraskeuazó
Pronunciation: pah-rah-skyoo-AD-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ask-yoo-ad'-zo)
KJV: prepare self, be (make) ready
NASB: prepared, making preparations, prepare
Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) and a derivative of G4632 (σκεῦος - vessels)]

1. to furnish aside, i.e. get ready

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

prepare self, make ready.

From para and a derivative of skeuos; to furnish aside, i.e. Get ready -- prepare self, be (make) ready.

see GREEK para

see GREEK skeuos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from para and skeuazó (to prepare, make ready)
Definition
to prepare, make ready
NASB Translation
making preparations (1), prepare (1), prepared (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3903: παρασκευάζω

παρασκευάζω; perfect passive παρεσκεύασμαι; future middle παρασκευάσομαι; from Herodotus down; to make ready, prepare: namely, τό δεῖπνον (added in Herodotus 9, 82; Athen. 4, 15, p. 138), Acts 10:10 (συμπόσιον, Halt. 9, 15; 2 Macc. 2:27). Middle to make oneself ready, to prepare oneself (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 38, 2 a.): εἰς πόλεμον, 1 Corinthians 14:8 (Jeremiah 27:42 (); εἰς μάχην, εἰς ναυμαχιαν, etc., in Xenophon). Perfect passive in middle sense, to have prepared oneself, to be prepared or ready, 2 Corinthians 9:2f (see Matthiae, § 493).

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 3903 depicts deliberate, forward-looking preparation. In its four New Testament appearances the verb paints a picture of hearts, hands, and circumstances made ready for God-directed action—whether military, domestic, or charitable.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• 1 Corinthians 14:8 — “Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?”
• Acts 10:10 — “He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:2 — “…‘Achaia has been prepared since last year,’ and your zeal has stirred up most of them.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:3 — “…so that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be prepared, as I said you would be.”

Historical and Cultural Background

In classical usage the verb described outfitting ships, equipping armies, or laying out a banquet. Within the Greco-Roman world such readiness signified diligence and honor; failure to prepare meant disgrace. The New Testament writers draw on that backdrop to exhort believers toward spiritual alertness and tangible generosity.

Theological Significance of Preparation

1. Readiness for Spiritual Conflict (1 Corinthians 14:8)

 • Clear proclamation of truth rallies the church as surely as a sharp trumpet gathers troops.

 • Ambiguous teaching leaves believers unprepared, exposing them to defeat.

2. Attentiveness to Divine Revelation (Acts 10:10)

 • While servants prepare Peter’s meal, God prepares Peter for a paradigm-shifting vision.

 • Physical routine becomes the stage on which God advances His redemptive plan for the Gentiles.

3. Stewardship and Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:2-3)

 • The Corinthian assembly’s prior planning transforms good intentions into dependable aid for Jerusalem’s poor.

 • Prepared giving reflects God’s orderly nature and inspires others to similar faithfulness (compare Proverbs 6:6-8).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching and Teaching: Communicators must give a distinct “trumpet call,” crafting messages that mobilize the congregation for holy warfare against sin and error.
• Hospitality: Acts 10 encourages believers to view everyday tasks—setting a table, cooking a meal—as arenas for divine appointment.
• Financial Planning: Churches mirror 2 Corinthians 9 when budgets, pledges, and relief efforts are organized in advance rather than in crisis.
• Personal Discipleship: Regular prayer, Scripture intake, and confession cultivate a life perpetually “at the ready” for the Lord’s prompting (see 1 Peter 3:15).

Cross-References in Scripture

• Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3 – preparing the way of the Lord.
• Ephesians 6:15 – feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
• 2 Timothy 2:21 – “prepared for every good work.”

Summary

Strong’s 3903 underscores that God’s purposes often hinge on intentional preparation. Whether summoning troops, feeding an apostle, or organizing a relief offering, Scripture commends believers who anticipate God’s call and position themselves—and their resources—for immediate obedience.

Forms and Transliterations

παρασκευάζει παρασκευάζεται παρασκευάζετε παρασκευαζοντων παρασκευαζόντων παρασκευάζου παρασκευάσαι παρασκευάσασθαι παρασκευάσασθε παρασκευάσατε παρασκευασεται παρασκευάσεται παρασκευάση παρεσκευασμένη παρεσκευασμενοι παρεσκευασμένοι παρεσκευασται παρεσκεύασται paraskeuasetai paraskeuásetai paraskeuazonton paraskeuazontōn paraskeuazónton paraskeuazóntōn pareskeuasmenoi pareskeuasménoi pareskeuastai pareskeúastai

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 10:10 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: ἤθελεν γεύσασθαι παρασκευαζόντων δὲ αὐτῶν
NAS: to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell
KJV: but while they made ready, he fell
INT: wished to eat [as] were preparing however they

1 Corinthians 14:8 V-FIM-3S
GRK: δῷ τίς παρασκευάσεται εἰς πόλεμον
NAS: who will prepare himself for battle?
KJV: who shall prepare himself to
INT: gives who will prepare himself for battle

2 Corinthians 9:2 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: ὅτι Ἀχαία παρεσκεύασται ἀπὸ πέρυσι
NAS: [namely], that Achaia has been prepared since
KJV: that Achaia was ready a year ago;
INT: that Achaia has been prepared from a year ago

2 Corinthians 9:3 V-RPM/P-NMP
GRK: καθὼς ἔλεγον παρεσκευασμένοι ἦτε
NAS: that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;
KJV: I said, ye may be ready:
INT: as I said prepared you might be

Strong's Greek 3903
4 Occurrences

παρασκευάσεται — 1 Occ.
παρασκευαζόντων — 1 Occ.
παρεσκευασμένοι — 1 Occ.
παρεσκεύασται — 1 Occ.