5532. chreia

Lexical Summary

chreia: Need, necessity, lack, requirement

Original Word: χρεία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: chreia
Pronunciation: khray'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (khri'-ah)
KJV: business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want
NASB: need, needs, necessary, needed, task
Word Origin: [from the base of G5530 (χράομαι - use) or G5534 (χρή - ought)]

1. employment, i.e. an affair
2. (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

need, want

From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution -- business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want.

see GREEK chre

see GREEK chraomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
akin to chraomai
Definition
need, business
NASB Translation
necessary (1), need (40), needed (1), needs (6), task (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5532: χρεία

χρεία, χρείας, ἡ (χρή), from Aeschylus and Sophocles down;

1. necessity, need: τά πρός τήν χρείαν (L T Tr WH πρός τάς χρείας (cf. below)), such things as suited the exigency, such things as we needed for sustenance and the journey, Acts 28:10; εἰς τάς ἀναγκαίας χρείας (A. V. for necessary uses), i. e. to supply what is absolutely necessary for life ((cf. Babrius fab. 136, 9); others understand the 'wants' here as comprising those of charity or of worship), Titus 3:14; πρός οἰκοδομήν τῆς χρείας, for the edification of souls, of which there is now special need, Ephesians 4:29 (cf. R. V. and marginal reading); ἐστι χρεία, there is need, followed by an accusative with infinitive Hebrews 7:11; ἐστι χρεία τίνος, there is need of something, Revelation 22:5 Griesbach; Luke 10:42 ((but not WH marginal reading)); ἔχω χρείαν τίνος, to have need of (be in want of) something (often in the Greek writings from Aeschylus down, cf. Passow, under the word, 1; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, II. 1)), Matthew 6:8; Matthew 21:3; Mark 11:3; Luke (); ; John 13:29; 1 Corinthians 12:21, 24; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; Hebrews 10:36; Revelation 3:17 R G (see below); (not Griesbach); τοῦ with an infinitive Hebrews 5:12 (Winers Grammar, § 44, 4 a.; cf. τίς, 2 b., p. 626a bottom); the genitive of the thing is evident from the context, Acts 2:45; Acts 4:35; with the genitive of a person whose aid, testimony, etc., is needed, Matthew 9:12; Matthew 26:65; Mark 2:17; Mark 14:63; Luke 5:31; ἔχω χρείαν, followed by an infinitive (cf. Buttmann, § 140, 3), I, etc. have need to etc., Matthew 3:14; Matthew 14:16; John 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (with which cf. 5:1 (see Winers Grammar, 339 (318); Buttmann, § 140, 3)); followed by ἵνα (see ἵνα, II. 2 c. (Buttmann, § 139, 46; cf. Epictetus diss. 1, 17, 18)), John 2:25; John 16:30; 1 John 2:27; χρείαν ἔχω, absolutely, to have need: Mark 2:25; (Ephesians 4:28); 1 John 3:17; οὐδέν χρείαν ἐηξω, to have need as to nothing (cf. Buttmann, § 131, 10), Revelation 3:17 L T Tr WH. ἡ χρεία with a genitive of the subjunctive the condition of one deprived of those things which he is scarcely able to do without, want, need: λειτουργός τῆς χρείας μου (see λειτουργός, 2 at the end), Philippians 2:25; πληροῦν τήν χρείαν τίνος (Thucydides 1. 70), Philippians 4:19; (add, εἰς (Lachmann brackets εἰς) τήν χρείαν μοι ἐπέμψατε, unto (i. e. to relieve, cf. εἰς, B. II. 3 c. γ., p. 185b top) my need, Philippians 4:16); plural one's necessities: ταῖς χρείαις ... ὑπηρέτησαν, to provide for one's necessities, Acts 20:34; κοινωνεῖν ταῖς χρείαις (cf. p. 352{a} top), Romans 12:13.

2. duty, business (so especially from Polybius down (cf. Judith 12:10; 1 Macc. 12:45 1 Macc. 13:37; 2 Macc. 7:24, etc.)): Acts 6:3.

Topical Lexicon

Scope of Usage

The noun χρεία appears forty-nine times across every major section of the New Testament. It ranges from literal necessities such as food (Mark 2:25) and financial support (Acts 20:34) to moral obligations (Hebrews 7:11) and spiritual requirements (Hebrews 10:36). The word therefore becomes a theological lens through which Scripture portrays human dependence, communal responsibility, and the ultimate sufficiency of God.

Need as Recognition of Dependence on God

• Christ affirms a single overriding necessity: intimate, listening fellowship with Him. “Only one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42).
• In prayer the disciple rests in the Father’s prior knowledge: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).
• The epistles reinforce reliance on God’s provision: “My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Need in the Ministry of Jesus

• Physical needs prompt miracles of compassion (Matthew 14:16; Luke 9:11).
• Diagnostic insight: “It is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick” (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31), exposing sin’s sickness and Christ’s healing mission.
• Messianic authority: “The Lord has need of it” (Matthew 21:3; Mark 11:3; Luke 19:31-34) shows creation press-ganged into service for redemptive purposes.

Need and the Early Church’s Mutual Support

• Acts records a community in which “they shared with anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45; 4:35); deacons are appointed “to this need” (Acts 6:3), establishing an enduring model of diaconal ministry.
• Paul’s example: “You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my own needs and for those with me” (Acts 20:34). He labors so that believers may “have something to share with one in need” (Ephesians 4:28).
• Generosity is strategic: the Philippian church supplied Paul’s needs more than once (Philippians 4:16), partnering in gospel advance.

Need in Instruction and Discernment

• Apostolic teaching answers the church’s intellectual need: “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles” (Hebrews 5:12).
• John counters false teaching: “You have no need for anyone to teach you” (1 John 2:27) because the anointing validates orthodox truth.
• Spiritual gifts are mutually indispensable: “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’” (1 Corinthians 12:21-24), guarding against individualism.

Need in Eschatological Fulfillment

• Present necessities will vanish in the consummation: “The city has no need of sun or moon… the glory of God gives it light” (Revelation 21:23); similarly, “They will have no need of lamplight or sunlight” (Revelation 22:5).
• Laodicea’s self-sufficiency is rebuked: “You say, ‘I have need of nothing,’ not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17), warning against complacency until the final state removes all lack.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Reliance: God alone satisfies ultimate need; ministries anchor people in this trust.
2. Compassion: Meeting tangible needs authenticates gospel witness (Titus 3:14).
3. Stewardship: Work and generosity converge so resources flow “as each has need” (Acts 4:35).
4. Humility: Every member, gift, and office remains necessary; no believer is dispensable.
5. Hope: The elimination of need in the New Jerusalem motivates perseverance now (Hebrews 10:36).

Summary

Χρεία exposes the breadth of human lack—physical, relational, intellectual, and spiritual—while simultaneously magnifying divine sufficiency. From the Lord’s requisition of a colt to the blazing city that needs no sun, Scripture traces a redemptive arc: present needs drive believers to Christ, knit them together in mutual service, and keep their eyes fixed on the day when need itself will be no more.

Forms and Transliterations

εχρεμέτιζεν χρεια χρεία χρειαις χρείαις χρειαν χρείαν χρειας χρείας χρεμετίσατε χρεμετισμός χρεμετισμού χρεμετισμώ χρεμέτισον χρέος χρέους chreia chreía chreiais chreíais chreian chreían chreias chreías

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 3:14 N-AFS
GRK: λέγων Ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ
NAS: I have need to be baptized
KJV: I have need to be baptized of
INT: saying I need have by

Matthew 6:8 N-AFS
GRK: ὑμῶν ὧν χρείαν ἔχετε πρὸ
NAS: knows what you need before you ask
KJV: what things ye have need of, before ye
INT: of you of what things need you have before

Matthew 9:12 N-AFS
GRK: εἶπεν Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ
NAS: who are healthy who need a physician,
KJV: whole need not
INT: he said Not need have they who

Matthew 14:16 N-AFS
GRK: αὐτοῖς Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν ἀπελθεῖν
NAS: said to them, They do not need to go away;
KJV: said unto them, They need not depart;
INT: to them No need they have to go away

Matthew 21:3 N-AFS
GRK: κύριος αὐτῶν χρείαν ἔχει εὐθὺς
NAS: has need of them,' and immediately
KJV: The Lord hath need of them; and
INT: Lord of them need has immediately

Matthew 26:65 N-AFS
GRK: τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων
NAS: further need do we have
KJV: further need have we
INT: why any more need have we of witnesses

Mark 2:17 N-AFS
GRK: ὅτι Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ
NAS: who are healthy who need a physician,
KJV: have no need of the physician, but
INT: Not need have they who

Mark 2:25 N-AFS
GRK: Δαυίδ ὅτε χρείαν ἔσχεν καὶ
NAS: when he was in need and he and his companions
KJV: when he had need, and was an hungred,
INT: David when need he had and

Mark 11:3 N-AFS
GRK: κύριος αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχει καὶ
NAS: has need of it'; and immediately
KJV: the Lord hath need of him; and
INT: Lord of it need has and

Mark 14:63 N-AFS
GRK: Τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων
NAS: further need do we have
KJV: and saith, What need we any further
INT: What any more need have we of witnesses

Luke 5:31 N-AFS
GRK: αὐτούς Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ
NAS: who are well who need a physician,
KJV: They that are whole need not
INT: them No need have they who

Luke 9:11 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ τοὺς χρείαν ἔχοντας θεραπείας
NAS: those who had need of healing.
KJV: healed them that had need of healing.
INT: and those need having of healing

Luke 10:42 N-NFS
GRK: δέ ἐστιν χρεία ἢ ἑνός
NAS: thing is necessary, for Mary
KJV: one thing is needful: and Mary
INT: however is necessary and one thing

Luke 15:7 N-AFS
GRK: οἵτινες οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν μετανοίας
NAS: who need no
INT: who no need have of repentance

Luke 19:31 N-AFS
GRK: κύριος αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχει
NAS: The Lord has need of it.'
KJV: the Lord hath need of him.
INT: Lord of it need has

Luke 19:34 N-AFS
GRK: κύριος αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχει
NAS: The Lord has need of it.
KJV: The Lord hath need of him.
INT: Lord of it need has

Luke 22:71 N-AFS
GRK: ἔχομεν μαρτυρίας χρείαν αὐτοὶ γὰρ
NAS: further need do we have
KJV: What need we any further witness?
INT: have we of witness need ourselves indeed

John 2:25 N-AFS
GRK: ὅτι οὐ χρείαν εἶχεν ἵνα
NAS: and because He did not need anyone
KJV: [men],And needed not that
INT: that no need he had that

John 13:10 N-AFS
GRK: οὐκ ἔχει χρείαν εἰ μὴ
NAS: to him, He who has bathed needs only
KJV: He that is washed needeth not
INT: not has [other] need if not

John 13:29 N-AFS
GRK: Ἀγόρασον ὧν χρείαν ἔχομεν εἰς
NAS: the things we have need of for the feast;
KJV: we have need of against
INT: Buy what things need [of] we have for

John 16:30 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ οὐ χρείαν ἔχεις ἵνα
NAS: no need for anyone
KJV: all things, and needest not that
INT: and not need have that

Acts 2:45 N-AFS
GRK: ἄν τις χρείαν εἶχεν
NAS: as anyone might have need.
KJV: every man had need.
INT: anyhow anyone need had

Acts 4:35 N-AFS
GRK: ἄν τις χρείαν εἶχεν
NAS: as any had need.
INT: anyhow anyone need had

Acts 6:3 N-GFS
GRK: ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης
NAS: we may put in charge of this task.
KJV: over this business.
INT: over the task this

Acts 20:34 N-DFP
GRK: ὅτι ταῖς χρείαις μου καὶ
NAS: ministered to my [own] needs and to the men who were with me.
KJV: unto my necessities, and
INT: that the needs of me and

Strong's Greek 5532
49 Occurrences

χρεία — 2 Occ.
χρείαις — 2 Occ.
χρείαν — 40 Occ.
χρείας — 5 Occ.