Lexical Summary antapodidómi: To repay, to recompense, to render, to give back. Original Word: ἀνταποδίδωμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance recompense, render, repay. From anti and apodidomi; to requite (good or evil) -- recompense, render, repay. see GREEK anti see GREEK apodidomi HELPS Word-studies 467 antapodídōmi (from 473 /antí, "corresponding back" and 591 /apodídōmi, "give") – properly, "pay-back," recompense; return, as an equivalence, i.e. what is equitable (proportional, "fitting"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and apodidómi Definition to give back as an equivalent, recompense NASB Translation paid back (1), render (1), repaid (1), repay (4), return (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 467: ἀνταποδίδωμιἀνταποδίδωμι: future ἀνταποδώσω; 2 aorist infinitive ἀνταποδοῦναι; 1 future passive ἀνταποδοθήσομαι; (ἀντί for something received, in return, ἀποδίδωμι to give back); to repay, requite; a. in a good sense: Luke 14:14; Romans 11:35; εὐχαριστίαν τίνι, 1 Thessalonians 3:9. b. in a bad sense, of penalty and vengeance; absolutely: Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30 (Deuteronomy 32:35); θλῖψιν τίνι, 2 Thessalonians 1:6. (Very often in the Sept. and Apocrypha, in both senses; in Greek writings from (Herodotus] Thucydides down.) Strong’s 467 gathers every nuance of giving back in kind—whether vengeance, reward, thanksgiving, or just settlement. Each occurrence in the New Testament locates the action in God’s hands or in acts shaped by His character, thereby safeguarding both divine justice and gracious reward. Old Testament Roots Paul (Romans 12:19) and the author of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:30) both cite Deuteronomy 32:35, where the covenant-keeping LORD pledges, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” The Torah’s backdrop supplies two convictions that carry straight into the New Testament: (1) God alone possesses the right to retaliate; (2) His covenant faithfulness guarantees He will do so perfectly, either in temporal history or at the final judgment. New Testament Themes 1. Divine Retribution—Romans 12:19 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6 declare God’s active repayment of wrong. “After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you” (2 Thessalonians 1:6). This assures persecuted believers that justice, though sometimes delayed, is never denied. 2. Eschatological Reward—Luke 14:14 anchors the believer’s generosity in the coming resurrection: “you will be blessed…for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” The verb shifts from vengeance to benevolent reward, directing disciples to live for future rather than immediate compensation. 3. Grace and Sovereignty—Romans 11:35 punctures any idea that God can be placed in our debt: “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” Salvation and service remain gifts of grace, not wages God is obliged to return. 4. Thanksgiving Rendered—1 Thessalonians 3:9 employs the verb for joyful gratitude toward God. Paul seeks to “render” thanks commensurate with the joy supplied by the Thessalonian believers’ steadfastness. Repayment here becomes worship. Contexts of Vindication and Reward • Persecution: Divine recompense comforts communities under pressure (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7). Pastoral and Practical Applications 1. Encourage endurance—Point sufferers to God’s settled promise that He will right every wrong. Doctrinal Synthesis Strong’s 467 interweaves sovereignty, justice, mercy, and hope. God repays evil with measured wrath, good with lavish reward, and gratitude with deeper joy, all while remaining free from obligation. The believer, therefore, relinquishes personal vengeance, practices selfless generosity, and relies on the certain, righteous, and gracious recompense of God. Englishman's Concordance Luke 14:14 V-ANAGRK: οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἀνταποδοῦναί σοι ἀνταποδοθήσεται NAS: they do not have [the means] to repay you; for you will be repaid KJV: for they cannot recompense thee: for INT: not they have [wherewithal] to repay you it will be recompensed Luke 14:14 V-FIP-3S Romans 11:35 V-FIP-3S Romans 12:19 V-FIA-1S 1 Thessalonians 3:9 V-ANA 2 Thessalonians 1:6 V-ANA Hebrews 10:30 V-FIA-1S Strong's Greek 467 |
    |