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Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary: The New Testament Greek word: φειδομαι

Source: https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/ph/ph-e-i-d-o-m-a-i.html

φειδομαι

Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary

φειδομαι

The verb φειδομαι (pheidomai) means to spare, broadly on a par with the English verb. It may mean to spare persons and things in the sense of to not destroy them, and thus show them mercy or forgiveness. Or in the sense of to use them sparingly, and hence to be careful with them, or even to take care of them. As such, our verb may mean to have consideration for, or pay careful attention to, and with a negative, to ignore, abstain or refrain from. Our verb may also be used in general, to describe a sparing, frugal or thrifty way of living.

This verb insightfully demonstrates that salvation comes from careful attention, whereas destruction comes from neglect. This is, of course, wholly in agreement with the second law of thermodynamics.

It's not clear where our verb comes from, but possibly from the same Proto-Indo-European "beyd-", meaning to split, that gave English the verb to bite (to chomp off a small piece of a bigger whole), and the noun boat (which carries a small portion of a bigger load and is commonly one of a larger fleet).

Our verb is used 10 times in the New Testament, see full concordance, and from it derives:

  • The adverb φειδομενως (pheidomenos), meaning sparingly or carelessly (2 Corinthians 9:6 only).