Lexical Summary karpophoreó: To bear fruit, to produce fruit Original Word: καρποφορέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to bear fruitFrom karpophoros; to be fertile (literally or figuratively) -- be (bear, bring forth) fruit(-ful). see GREEK karpophoros HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2592 karpophoréō (from 2590 /karpós, "fruit" and 5342 /phérō, "to bring") – to bring forth fruit. See 2590 (karpos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom karpophoros Definition to bear fruit NASB Translation bear fruit (4), bearing fruit (2), bears fruit (1), produces crops (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2592: καρποφορέωκαρποφορέω, καρποφόρω; 1 aorist ἐκαρποφόρησα; present passive participle καρποφορουμενος; (καρποφόρος, which see); to bear fruit; (Vulg.fructifico; Columella ( a. properly, ((Xenophon, Aristotle), Theophrastus, de hist. plant. 3, 3, 7; Diodorus 2, 49): χόρτον, Mark 4:28 (φυτά, Wis. 10:7). b. metaphorically, to bear, bring forth, deeds: thus of men who show their knowledge of religion by their conduct, Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15; ἐν (for R G L Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading ἐν (cf. Buttmann, 103 (90), see εἷς, 4 a.)) τριάκοντα etc. namely, καρποις, Mark 4:20 T Tr text WH text (see ἐν, I. 5 f.); ἐν παντί ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, Colossians 1:10; τίνι (dative commodi]) to one who reaps the fruit, i. e. fruit acceptable to him, τῷ Θεῷ, Romans 7:4; τῷ θανάτῳ, i. e. (without the figure) to produce works rewarded with death, Romans 7:5; in middle to bear fruit of oneself, Colossians 1:6 (cf. Lightfoot at the passage). The verb rendered “bear fruit” evokes Genesis 1’s creation mandate and threads through the canon as a metaphor for visible results produced by an unseen source. Its New Testament usage stresses spiritual vitality, authenticity, and the inevitable manifestation of what is sown in the heart. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Mark 4:28; Luke 8:15; Romans 7:4–5; Colossians 1:6; Colossians 1:10. Each passage retains the core picture of fruit emerging organically from a prior sowing, yet each situates the image in a distinct theological context. Fruitfulness in the Teaching of Jesus In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15) fruitfulness is the definitive mark of the “good soil.” Hearing, understanding, clinging to, and persevering in the word culminates in a multiplied harvest. Jesus thus assigns fruit-bearing to the sphere of receptivity to divine revelation, not human cleverness. Mark 4:28 extends the picture, highlighting God’s sovereign agency: “All by itself the earth bears fruit—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within.” Growth proceeds in orderly stages, underscoring patience and divine timing in discipleship. Union with Christ and Two Harvests in Romans 7 Romans 7:4 positions fruitfulness within redemptive union: “you also died to the law… in order that we might bear fruit to God.” The believer’s death and resurrection with Christ transfers allegiance from the law’s condemnation to the risen Lord’s life-imparting presence. Verse 5 presents a sobering counterpart: life “according to the flesh” produces a harvest of death. The same agricultural metaphor thus exposes the inevitability of productivity; the issue is not whether fruit will appear but of what kind. Global and Personal Growth in Colossians 1 Colossians 1:6 observes that the gospel “is bearing fruit and growing” worldwide, linking individual transformation to the church’s global advance. Verse 10 narrows the focus to personal conduct: “bearing fruit in every good work.” Knowledge of God and practical obedience are mutually reinforcing, depicting Christian maturity as both internal understanding and external action. Historical Interpretation Early patristic writers (e.g., Irenaeus, Origen) saw in these texts proof that genuine faith cannot remain hidden. The Reformers appealed to Romans 7:4 to affirm that justification by faith inevitably yields sanctification’s fruit, rebutting antinomian claims. Puritan pastors made the Colossians passages central to spiritual-diagnostic preaching, urging believers to examine their harvest. Pastoral and Missional Significance 1. Assurance: Observable fruit provides evidence of regeneration without making works the ground of acceptance. Contemporary Application • Cultivate receptive hearts through Scripture saturation and prayerful perseverance. Summary Strong’s Greek 2592 consistently portrays an organic, God-enabled productivity that validates authentic faith, advances the gospel, and glorifies the Lord. Wherever the word is genuinely received and the Spirit indwells, fruit will emerge—in varying measures but with unfailing certainty. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 13:23 V-PIA-3SGRK: ὃς δὴ καρποφορεῖ καὶ ποιεῖ NAS: indeed bears fruit and brings forth, KJV: also beareth fruit, and INT: who indeed brings forth fruit and produces Mark 4:20 V-PIA-3P Mark 4:28 V-PIA-3S Luke 8:15 V-PIA-3P Romans 7:4 V-ASA-1P Romans 7:5 V-ANA Colossians 1:6 V-PPM-NNS Colossians 1:10 V-PPA-NMP Strong's Greek 2592 |
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