Lexical Summary antilémpsis: Help, Assistance Original Word: ἀντίλημψις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance help. From antilambanomai; relief -- help. see GREEK antilambanomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 484 antílēpsis (from 482 /antilambánomai– properly, helps (used only in 1 Cor 12:28 as the plural, "helps"). 484 /antílēpsis ("helps") refers to God's work bringing His helps of grace and power to meet someone's need, through a person He directs. See 482 (antilambanō). 1 Cor 12:28: "And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps (484 /antílēpsis), administrations, various kinds of tongues" (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom antilambanó Definition a laying hold of, help NASB Translation helps (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 484: ἀντίληψιςἀντίληψις (L T Tr WH ἀντίλημψις; see Mu), ἀντιλήψεώς, ἡ (ἀντιλαμβάνομαι), in secular authors, mutual acceptance (Thucydides 1, 120), a laying hold of, apprehension, perception, objection of a disputant, etc. In Biblical speech aid, help (Psalm 21:20 (cf. Topical Lexicon Biblical Context The one New Testament occurrence of ἀντιλήμψεις appears in 1 Corinthians 12:28 within Paul’s ordered list of ministries that God has “appointed in the church.” In the Berean Standard Bible the term is rendered “helping”—a Spirit-given capacity by which believers actively sustain, uphold, and supply what is lacking in others for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). By positioning “helping” immediately after the more visible gifts of healing and before administrations and tongues, Paul affirms its indispensable place in the diverse but unified body of Christ. Integration with Other Spiritual Gifts Helps functions synergistically with every charisma mentioned in the same chapter. Apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle-workers, and healers depend on believers equipped to arrange lodging, gather resources, care for the sick, copy letters, and shield leaders from distraction. Romans 12:6-8 complements this picture by pairing “service” and “mercy” with prophecy, teaching, exhortation, giving, and leadership, showing that practical assistance is no less spiritual than verbal or sign gifts. When each part “does its work” (Ephesians 4:16), the whole body grows. Old Testament Foundations The Lord’s provision of seventy elders to shoulder Moses’ burden (Numbers 11:16-17) and the steadying of his uplifted hands by Aaron and Hur (Exodus 17:12) illustrate that divinely appointed help is woven into the covenant community from the beginning. Proverbs 17:17—“a brother is born for adversity”—captures the ethic of mutual aid later embodied in the Church. Christological Model of Help Jesus personifies the gift. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), fed multitudes, washed feet, and healed the broken. His declaration, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45), elevates humble assistance to a Christ-shaped vocation. The Holy Spirit, promised as “another Helper” (John 14:16), perpetuates that ministry through believers who quietly meet needs. Early Church Practice Luke records that the first congregation in Jerusalem organized daily food distribution (Acts 6:1-6), leading to the selection of seven Spirit-filled men for hands-on service—an early expression of helps. Dorcas “was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:36). Paul gratefully names Phoebe as “a patron of many, including myself” (Romans 16:2), and commends Onesiphorus who “often refreshed me” (2 Timothy 1:16). These examples show the gift at work across gender, social status, and geography. Theology of Service Helps embodies the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. While some gifts direct, proclaim, or heal, helps enacts sacrificial love in tangible form. By meeting temporal needs it safeguards the witness of the gospel, turning orthodoxy into orthopraxy (James 2:15-17). The gift also guards against hierarchy; even the most prominent ministries falter without faithful helpers (Philippians 2:25-30). Historical Development Patristic writers viewed the diaconate as the institutional home of helps. In Apostolic Constitutions deacons are called “servants of the church,” responsible for aiding widows, orphans, and the sick. Medieval monastic orders, Reformation deaconesses, and modern mission agencies all continue the trajectory begun in 1 Corinthians 12:28. Practical Ministry Implications • Local churches should intentionally identify and affirm those gifted in helps, providing training and resources rather than relegating them to the margins. Pastoral Encouragement Believers called to helps may serve without applause, yet Scripture assures them that “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown” (Hebrews 6:10). Their ministry reflects the heart of Christ and supplies what is lacking in the body’s public face. In eternity the Lord will openly honor every cup of cold water given in His name. Forms and Transliterations αντιλημψεις ἀντιλήμψεις αντιλήψεις αντιλήψεως αντίληψιν αντίληψίν αντίληψις antilempseis antilēmpseis antilḗmpseisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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