Lexical Summary peripheró: To carry about, to carry around Original Word: περιφέρω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance carry about. From peri and phero; to convey around, i.e. Transport hither and thither -- bear (carry) about. see GREEK peri see GREEK phero NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and pheró Definition to carry about NASB Translation carried about (1), carry here and there (1), carrying about (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4064: περιφέρωπεριφέρω; present passive περιφέρομαι; from Herodotus down; to carry round: to bear about everywhere with one, τί, 2 Corinthians 4:10; to carry hither and thither, τούς κακῶς ἔχοντας, Mark 6:55 (where the Evangelist wishes us to conceive of the sick as brought to Jesus while he is travelling about and visiting different places); passive, to be driven (A. V. carried) about: παντί ἀνέμῳ τῆς διδασκαλίας, i. e. in doubt and hesitation to be led away now to this opinion, now to that, Ephesians 4:14. In Hebrews 13:9 and Jude 1:12 for περιφερ( editors from Griesbach on have restored παραφερ(. Topical Lexicon Essential Concept and Imagery The verb group represented by Strong’s 4064 conveys the idea of being carried around or carried about, whether physically (as with people or objects) or figuratively (as with ideas, emotions, or circumstances). In Scripture this motion imagery serves to illustrate Christ’s healing ministry, the instability of immature believers, and the persevering witness of apostles who bear the life of Jesus amid suffering. Mark 6:55 – The Urgency of Faith “People rushed throughout that whole region and began to carry the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was.” Here περιφέρειν pictures the bustling movement of villagers who physically lift and transport the sick. The verb underscores: Historically, public roads and village squares around the Sea of Galilee enabled rapid word-of-mouth communication; the continuous carrying illustrates how news of the Messiah disrupted ordinary life and re-ordered priorities. Ephesians 4:14 – Steadfast Doctrine versus Shifting Currents “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed by the waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming.” περιφερόμενοι depicts spiritual instability—believers swayed by ever-changing winds of doctrine. The term complements nautical language (“tossed by the waves”), evoking the Mediterranean commerce Paul’s readers knew well. In first-century Ephesus, itinerant teachers and philosophical schools competed for attention; Paul urges maturity marked by doctrinal rootedness, corporate unity, and Christlike truth-speaking (Ephesians 4:15-16). Ministry significance: elders must provide steady exposition of Scripture so congregations are not “carried about” by cultural fashions or persuasive error. 2 Corinthians 4:10 – Bearing About the Dying and Life of Jesus “Always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” περιφέροντες shifts from external motion to an inward, continuous state. Paul and his companions “carry around” Christ’s death—daily exposure to suffering, persecution, and weakness. Yet this very burden becomes the vessel through which resurrection life shines. The verb frames a theology of ministry where apparent fragility showcases divine power (2 Corinthians 4:7). Historically, Corinth’s honor-shame culture prized visible success; Paul redefines honor as participation in Christ’s cross. Thematic Connections 1. Movement toward Christ (Mark) versus movement away from truth (Ephesians). Pastoral and Ministry Application • Evangelism: Believers today “carry” the needy to Jesus through intercession and witness. Historical Backdrop Greco-Roman mobility—roads, trade routes, and rhetorical schools—forms the cultural canvas. Whether carts moving patients, ships moving teachers, or ambassadors moving messages, first-century readers grasped that what is carried shapes destiny. Related Biblical Motifs • Numbers 4:15 (Septuagint): priests “carry” the holy things—prefiguring believers who bear divine presence. Conclusion Strong’s 4064 sketches a vivid tapestry of motion: hands lifting stretchers, winds spinning doctrine, apostles bearing scars. Across its three New Testament appearances, the Spirit calls the church to active faith, doctrinal stability, and cruciform perseverance, all so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in and through His people. Forms and Transliterations περιέφραξας περιφέρει περιφερειν περιφέρειν περιφέρεσθε περιφέρεται περιφερομενοι περιφερόμενοι περιφεροντες περιφέροντες περιφοράν περιφράξαι peripherein periphérein peripheromenoi peripherómenoi peripherontes periphérontesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 6:55 V-PNAGRK: κακῶς ἔχοντας περιφέρειν ὅπου ἤκουον NAS: and began to carry here KJV: and began to carry about in INT: sick were to carry about where they were hearing 2 Corinthians 4:10 V-PPA-NMP Ephesians 4:14 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 4064 |
    |