Original Word: ἐπαρκέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: eparkeo
Pronunciation: eh-par-KEH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ar-keh'-o)
KJV: relieve
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G714 (ἀρκέω - content)]

1. to avail for, i.e. help

relieve, assist

From epi and arkeo; to avail for, i.e. Help -- relieve.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK arkeo

1884 eparkéō (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" intensifying 714 /arkéō, "suffice, satisfy") – properly, "make sufficient" by supplying appropriate help, i.e. sharing aid that is especially fit ("apt, meet").

STRONGS NT 1884: ἐπαρκέω

ἐπαρκέω, ἐπάρκω; 1 aorist (ἐπηρκεσα), subjunctive ἐπαρκέσω; properly, to avail or be strong enough for ... (see ἀρκέω); hence,

a. to ward off or drive away, τί τίνι, a thing for another's advantage equivalent to a thing from anyone (Homer), to defend.

b. to aid, give assistance, relieve (Herodotus, Aeschyl, others): τίνι, 1 Timothy 5:10; middle, to give aid from one's own resources, 1 Timothy 5:16 according to the reading ἐπαρκείσθω (L text T Tr WH marginal reading) for ἐπαρκείτω (R G L marginal reading WH text); (κατά δύναμιν ἀλλήλοις ἐπάρκειν, Xenophon, mem. 2, 7, 1).

Meaning and Nuance

The verb conveys the idea of rendering adequate aid—material, financial, or practical—so that a need is fully met. It implies sufficiency, not a token gesture. Hence the traditional English “relieve,” highlighting the removal of distress by positive, tangible support.

Occurrences in the New Testament

All three uses appear in Paul’s counsel to Timothy concerning widows (1 Timothy 5:10, 16 twice). Each instance underscores relief that is concrete and ongoing rather than sporadic charity.

Immediate Context: Care for Widows (1 Timothy 5)

1. Timothy is charged to ensure that a widow placed on the church roll has “shown hospitality to strangers, washed the saints’ feet, helped those in distress” (1 Timothy 5:10). The past tense ἐπήρκεσεν indicates a pattern of practical service; those who once relieved others are now eligible to be relieved by the congregation.
2. Families are exhorted to assume primary duty: “If any believing man or woman has relatives who are widows, they must provide for them and not burden the church, so that the church can relieve the widows who are truly in need” (1 Timothy 5:16). The repeated verb draws a contrast: private households relieve their own, freeing the church to relieve the destitute.

Historical Significance in Early Church Ministry

• Acts 6 records the appointment of seven men to oversee daily distribution to widows—a precedent that blossoms in the pastoral letters. The same ethos of eparkeo—adequate, organized aid—underlies both passages.
• Within Greco–Roman society, widows often lacked legal and economic security. The church’s structured support showcased a countercultural community, fulfilling Old-Testament mandates (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 24:19).
• The dual expectation—family first, church second—protected limited congregational resources while modeling responsible stewardship and love.

Theological Themes

Provision: God is portrayed as the ultimate Reliever of the needy (Psalm 68:5). The church mirrors His character by meeting real-life shortages.

Body Life: Relief ministry affirms the interdependence of believers (1 Corinthians 12:25) and guards against neglect of invisible members.

Witness: Tangible care validates gospel proclamation (James 1:27), demonstrating faith that works through love.

Practical Implications for Contemporary Ministry

• Establish clear criteria for benevolence so that aid remains both compassionate and wise, echoing Paul’s instruction.
• Encourage households to shoulder responsibilities where possible, thereby empowering rather than enabling.
• Maintain accountability: relief is not perpetual subsidy but help toward sustainable stability.
• Integrate spiritual and material support; prayer, visitation, and discipleship should accompany financial assistance.
• View benevolence as evangelistic: consistent, sufficient relief can open doors for gospel conversations.

Summary

By the Spirit’s design, ἐπαρκέω calls believers to provide more than minimal charity—it summons the church to furnish full, adequate relief that honors God, upholds the dignity of recipients, and advances the witness of Christ’s body in every age.

επαρκειτω επαρκείτω ἐπαρκείτω επαρκεση επαρκέση ἐπαρκέσῃ επάρσεις έπαρσιν επαρσις έπαρσις επαρυστήρα επαρυστρίδας επαρυστρίδες επηρκεσεν επήρκεσεν ἐπήρκεσεν eparkeito eparkeitō eparkeíto eparkeítō eparkese eparkesē eparkései eparkésēi eperkesen epērkesen epḗrkesenInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts