Lexical Summary chóreó: To make room, to hold, to contain, to go, to advance Original Word: χωρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make room, holdFrom chora; to be in (give) space, i.e. (intransitively) to pass, enter, or (transitively) to hold, admit (literally or figuratively) -- come, contain, go, have place, (can, be room to) receive. see GREEK chora HELPS Word-studies 5562 xōréō – properly, make space (place, room); (figuratively) to live with an open heart – i.e. with "available space" that embraces the "more important" . . . not just the "urgent"! NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chóros (a definite space, place) Definition to make room, advance, hold NASB Translation accept (3), come (1), contain (1), containing (1), has...place (1), make room (1), passes (1), room (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5562: χωρέωχωρέω, χώρω; future infinitive χωρήσειν (John 21:25 Tr WH); 1 aorist ἐχώρησα; (χῶρος, a place, space, and this from ΧΑΩ, cf. χώρα); 1. properly, to leave a space (which may be occupied or filled by another), to make room, give place, yield (Homer, Iliad 12, 406; 16, 592; others); to retire, pass: of a thing, εἰς τί, Matthew 15:17. metaphorically, to betake oneself, turn oneself: εἰς μετνοιαν, 2 Peter 3:9 (A. V. come; cf. μετάνοια, p. 406a). 2. to go forward, advance, proceed (properly, νύξ, Aeschylus Pers. 384); to make progress, gain ground, succeed (Plato, Eryx., p. 398 b.; legg. 3, p. 684 e.; (χωρεῖ τό κακόν, Aristophanes nub. 907, vesp. 1483; others); Polybius 10, 35, 4; 28, 15, 12; others): ὁ λόγος ὁ ἐμός οὐ χωρεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν, gaineth no ground among you or within you (R. V. hath not free course (with marginal reading hath no place) in you), John 8:37 (cf. Field, Otium Norv. pars 3:at the passage). 3. to have space or room for receiving or holding something (German fassen); properly: τί, a thing to fill the vacant space, John 21:25 (not Tdf.); of a space large enough to hold a certain number of people, Mark 2:2 (Genesis 13:6 (cf. Plutarch, praec. ger. reipub. 8, 5, p. 804 b.)); of measures, which hold a certain quantity, John ii 6; 1 Kings 7:24 (38); 2 Chronicles 4:5, and in Greek writings from Herodotus down. Metaphorically, to receive with the mind or understanding, to understand (τό Κατωνος φρωνημα, Plutarch, Cat. min. 64; ὅσον αὐτῷ ἡ ψυχή χωρεῖ, Aelian v. h. 3, 9); to be ready to receive, keep in mind, and practise: τόν λέγων τοῦτον, this saying, Matthew 19:11f ((cf. Plutarch, Lycurgus, 13, 5)); τινα, to receive one into one's heart, make room for one in one's heart, 2 Corinthians 7:2. (Compare: ἀναχωρέω, ἀποχωρέω, ἐκχωρέω, ὑποχωρέω. Synonym: cf. ἔρχομαι.) The term points to the idea of making space—whether literal space in a vessel or figurative room in the inner life. It can describe physical capacity, personal acceptance, or God-given opportunity. Physical Capacity and Spatial Crowding • John 2:6 records six stone jars at Cana, “Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.” The verb shows simple spatial capacity. These uses ground the word in everyday realities familiar to first-century readers—wedding feasts, crowded homes—before it is lifted into richer spiritual application. Receptivity of the Heart Jesus laments, “My word has no place within you” (John 8:37). The contrast is stark: the incarnate Word stands before them, yet the human heart, though physically capable of vast thoughts, refuses the space His teaching requires. The verb exposes a moral deficiency, not an intellectual one. By extension, every generation is urged to enlarge its inner room for Scripture (compare Psalm 119:32). Relational Restoration and Apostolic Appeal Paul pleads, “Make room for us in your hearts” (2 Corinthians 7:2). Gospel ministry depends on cleared space—free of resentment, suspicion, or competing loyalties—so that fellowship may flourish. The appeal follows severe correspondence (2 Corinthians 2–6); reconciliation requires intentional interior rearrangement. Divine Patience and Eschatological Space “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise … but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s longsuffering grants humanity temporal room for repentance. History itself is portrayed as a divinely provided space, held open until the full number of the redeemed enters. Evangelism therefore presses on, confident that every moment before Christ’s return represents God-granted opportunity. Radical Discipleship and the Gift of Celibacy When Jesus teaches on eunuchs for the kingdom, He twice observes, “Not everyone can accept this word … The one who can accept this should accept it” (Matthew 19:11–12). The verb frames celibacy as a grace-enabled capacity, not a universal mandate. Those so gifted are called to clear personal ambition, cultural expectation, and bodily desire to create undivided space for kingdom service. Everyday Physiology: What Enters the Stomach “Whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated” (Matthew 15:17). The verb underscores the transient nature of food in contrast to defilement that arises from the heart. Physical processes have built-in capacity; moral impurity is a deeper issue. Hyperbole and the Uncontainable Christ John closes his Gospel: “I suppose that not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). The rhetorical flourish magnifies the inexhaustible majesty of Jesus. Creation lacks the storage for His full story; believers will spend eternity exploring what time cannot hold. Implications for Worship, Ministry, and Mission 1. Personal devotion: believers continually enlarge their hearts for Scripture and prayer. Thus Strong’s Greek 5562 challenges the Church to examine where room must yet be made—for truth, for people, and above all for the Lord Himself, whose works the world itself cannot contain. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 15:17 V-PIA-3SGRK: τὴν κοιλίαν χωρεῖ καὶ εἰς NAS: into the mouth passes into the stomach, KJV: at the mouth goeth into the belly, INT: the belly goes and to Matthew 19:11 V-PIA-3P Matthew 19:12 V-PNA Matthew 19:12 V-PMA-3S Mark 2:2 V-PNA John 2:6 V-PPA-NFP John 8:37 V-PIA-3S John 21:25 V-FNA 2 Corinthians 7:2 V-AMA-2P 2 Peter 3:9 V-ANA Strong's Greek 5562 |
    |