Unlocking Scripture With Greek Word StudySýnishorn

Supplement: Epichorēgeō

One day around Thanksgiving, a man wearing a New England Patriots jacket walked into Walmart in Darby, Vermont. He came to pick up the tab for other shoppers, with his own money. The act of unusual generosity took place when many people were placing Christmas presents worth hundreds of dollars on layaway.

While many of us may never be able to be this magnanimous, in 1 Peter we hear about another sort of funding that all of us can do: funding our faith with good works. To convey this, Peter says, “supplement your faith.”

The Greek word supplement here is epichorēgēsate. It means “to grant,” “to fund,” and “to supply at one’s own expense.” This word comes from the Greek word choros, which meant “a band of dancers and singers,” which today we might call a “chorus.” Seems sort of odd, doesn’t it? What does funding have to do with a chorus? 

When epichorēgeō was first used, it was a symbolic term that meant “to fund the expenses of a chorus.” Back in ancient Athens, a rich individual was often appointed by the state to fund most or all of the expenses of a stage production where a chorus performed. This benefactor was known as the chorēgos. It cost this person a lot of money at their own expense. 

Later, epichorēgeō came to mean “to put on an expensive event” or “to fund a costly project.” Finally, it came to mean “to supplement,” “to supply,” or “to provide.” Yet, the idea of providing, at one’s own expense and with one’s own money, remained intact. 

Peter’s audience would have understood that adding good works to their faith would require an expensive effort on their part. If we want to grow in faith, we can’t sit back and expect this to happen magically. We need to make an extensive effort to do it.

Consider your Christian life. How have you been funding its growth? Like the mystery man at Walmart, have you paid the price to gain knowledge from the Word of God? Has it cost you to live with self-control, to walk in love, and to forgive?

Don’t be a cheapskate when it comes to your faith. Fund it. Supplement it. Put some effort behind it. You are the chorēgos of this operation. Give your best effort to make it a success. 

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