Lexical Summary phoreó: To wear, to bear, to carry Original Word: φορέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bear, wear. From phoros; to have a burden, i.e. (by analogy) to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment -- bear, wear. see GREEK phoros HELPS Word-studies 5409 phoréō (from 5342 /phérō, "to bring") – to bear (or wear) as a habit, i.e. in a "frequentative way, implying repetition or continuance" (S. Zodhiates, Dictionary). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pheró Definition to bear constantly, to wear NASB Translation bear (2), borne (1), wear (1), wearing (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5409: φορέωφορέω, φορῶ; future φορέσω (1 Corinthians 15:49 R G WH marginal reading); 1 aorist ἐφορεσα (later forms for the earlier φορήσω and ἐφόρησα, cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii. 315; Kühner (and especially Veitch) under the word; Winers Grammar, § 13, 3{c}; (Buttmann, 37 (32))); (frequent. of φέρω, and differing from it by denoting not the simple and transient act of bearing, but a continuous or habitual bearing; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 585f; Hermann on Sophocles Electr. 715; (Trench, § lviii.; Schmidt, chapter 105, 6); accordingly, ἀγγελιην φέρειν means 'to carry a (single) message', Herodotus 3, 53 and 122; ἀγγελιην φορηιν, 'to serve as (fill the office of) a messenger', Herodotus 3, 34; hence, we are said φόρειν those things which we carry about with us or wear, as e. g. our clothing); from Homer down; to bear constantly, wear: of clothing, garments, armor, etc., Matthew 11:8; John 19:5; Romans 13:4 (on this last passage, see μάχαιρα, 2); 1 Corinthians 15:49 (see above, and WH. Introductory § 404); James 2:3 (Sir. 11:5 Sir. 40:4). Topical Lexicon Overview of the TermThe verb behind Strong’s Greek 5409 speaks of carrying or wearing something as a regular part of one’s life. In Scripture its range moves from literal apparel (Matthew 11:8) to the grave, ongoing responsibility of bearing God-given authority (Romans 13:4) and, climactically, to the glorious hope of believers “wearing” the image of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:49). The word’s focus on continuous, habitual action gives each passage an added depth: what is worn or borne is not momentary but marks the person’s identity. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Matthew 11:8 – men who “wear fine clothes” in royal palaces. (The verse contains two verbal forms in 1 Corinthians 15:49, making six total occurrences.) Everyday Clothing and Social Perception Matthew 11:8 and James 2:3 place the verb in the realm of attire. Fine garments signal social standing, comfort, and privilege. Jesus’ question about John the Baptist (“What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes?”) pushes listeners past surface judgments to assess prophetic authenticity. James uses the same imagery to expose sinful partiality within church gatherings. Because the verb suggests habitual dress, the lesson is clear: ongoing favoritism toward those who consistently present wealth is incompatible with the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ (James 2:1). The Suffering King John 19:5 shows the Roman soldiers’ mock coronation: “So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe”. Here the verb paints an ironic scene—Christ, habitually worshiped by heaven, is made to “wear” mock symbols of royalty. The imperfect dignity of the robe and the pain of the thorns anticipate Isaiah’s prophecy that the Servant would be “despised and rejected by men.” Through this humiliation Jesus bears the curse of sin for His people, turning the soldiers’ cruel joke into a picture of redemptive love. Civil Authority Bearing the Sword Romans 13:4 shifts from clothing to weaponry: “he does not bear the sword in vain.” The magistrate’s ongoing responsibility to wield the sword reflects God’s continuous provision of order and justice in a fallen world. The verb underscores that state authority is not an optional accessory but a permanent trust. Because that trust is derived “from God” (Romans 13:1), those who govern must exercise it with sober restraint, and those governed must respond with respect, prayer, and lawful submission. From the Image of Adam to the Image of Christ Paul’s resurrection chapter features the richest theological use of the word. “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the image of the heavenly man” (1 Corinthians 15:49). Humanity presently carries Adam’s likeness—mortality, weakness, susceptibility to sin. Yet believers are assured they will one day carry Christ’s resurrected likeness. The habitual sense of the verb intensifies both halves of the promise: • Past and present: we continually exhibit Adam’s fallen features. This eschatological certainty grounds ethical exhortations to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” now (Romans 13:14) as a foretaste of what will one day be fully ours. Historical and Cultural Insights Greek literature often uses the verb for habitual dress or carrying arms. In the New Testament period, clothing signified rank, occupation, and wealth; swords denoted authority. The Spirit employs this everyday vocabulary to communicate transcendent truths: apparel becomes a metaphor for spiritual identity, and the sword a symbol of divine justice. Ministry and Pastoral Applications 1. Discernment over Appearance – Leaders and congregations must evaluate ministers and members by character and doctrine, not outward impressiveness (Matthew 11:8; James 2:3). 2. Submission and Intercession for Authorities – The state “bears” the sword by divine design. Prayer for officials and conscientious respect for law honor God’s ordering of society (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2). 3. Hope-Fueled Holiness – Confidence that believers will one day “wear” Christ’s image fuels present sanctification. The church teaches and models a lifestyle consistent with that coming glory (1 John 3:2-3). 4. Proclamation of the Cross – John 19:5 invites continual preaching of Christ crucified. The sight of Jesus “wearing” mock regalia calls sinners to repentance and saints to worship. Christological Focus All usages converge on Jesus: Eschatological Horizon The present act of “wearing” points to a future state. One day external markers of status will vanish, earthly authority will yield to Christ’s kingdom, and redeemed humanity will habitually, eternally bear the image of the heavenly Man. Strong’s 5409 thus ties mundane realities—clothes, weapons, social norms—to the ultimate transformation God has promised. Summary Strong’s Greek 5409 threads through Scripture a theme of ongoing identity: what one continually wears or carries reveals who one is and whose one is. Whether exposing superficial judgments, affirming legitimate authority, portraying redemptive suffering, or promising resurrection glory, each occurrence declares the gospel’s power to transform people and societies until Christ’s likeness is fully and forever “worn” by His redeemed creation. Forms and Transliterations εφορεσαμεν εφορέσαμεν ἐφορέσαμεν φορει φορεί φορεῖ φορέσει φορεσόμεν φορέσομεν φορεσωμεν φορέσωμεν φορθομμιν φορολογητοί φορολόγος φορολόγου φορολόγω φορουντα φορούντα φοροῦντα φορουντες φορούντες φοροῦντες φορων φορών φορῶν ephoresamen ephorésamen phorei phoreî phoresomen phorésomen phoron phorôn phorōn phorō̂n phorounta phoroûnta phorountes phoroûntesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:8 V-PPA-NMPGRK: τὰ μαλακὰ φοροῦντες ἐν τοῖς NAS: [clothing]? Those who wear soft KJV: behold, they that wear soft INT: the fine [clothes] wear in the John 19:5 V-PPA-NMS Romans 13:4 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 15:49 V-AIA-1P 1 Corinthians 15:49 V-ASA-1P James 2:3 V-PPA-AMS Strong's Greek 5409 |
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