Lexical Summary ophelon: "I wish," "would that," "if only" Original Word: ὤφελον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance would that, I wishFirst person singular of a past tense of opheilo; I ought (wish), i.e. (interjection) oh that! -- would (to God). see GREEK opheilo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom opheiló Definition would that (used to express an unattainable wish) NASB Translation wish (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3785: ὄφελονὄφελον (for ὠφελον, without the augment, 2 aorist of ὀφείλω; in earlier Greek with an infinitive, as ὠφελον θανεῖν, I ought to have died, expressive of a wish, equivalent to would that I were dead; in later Greek it assumes the nature of an interjection, to be rendered) would that, where one wishes that a thing had happened which has not happened, or that a thing be done which probably will not be done (cf. Winers Grammar, 301f (283); Buttmann, § 150, 5): with an optative present Revelation 3:15 Rec.; with an indicative imperfect, Rev. ibid. G L T Tr WH; 2 Corinthians 11:1 (Epictetus diss. 2, 18, 15; Ignatius ad Smyrn. c. 12 [ET]); with an indicative aorist, 1 Corinthians 4:8 (Psalm 118:5 Topical Lexicon Overview The term translated “I wish,” “would that,” or “how I wish” is used in four New Testament passages to introduce a strong personal desire. In every case the speaker—Paul in three letters and the risen Christ in the Revelation—employs it to expose a spiritual deficiency and to urge a decisive response from the hearers. Biblical Usage 1 Corinthians 4:8: Paul laments the Corinthians’ premature sense of arrival—“How I wish you really were kings so that we also might reign with you!” His rhetorical wish unmasks their pride and contrasts present suffering with future glory. 2 Corinthians 11:1: “I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness.” Paul pleads for patience as he defends his apostleship, showing that pastoral correction sometimes requires self-abasing rhetoric. Galatians 5:12: “I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!” The apostle’s startling wish underscores the danger of works-based legalism threatening the gospel’s purity. Revelation 3:15: To the church in Laodicea the Lord says, “How I wish you were one or the other!” The longing exposes lukewarm complacency and calls for wholehearted devotion. Contextual Nuances • The verb consistently introduces an unfulfilled longing, whether affectionate (as toward the Corinthians) or severe (as toward the agitators in Galatia). Historical Background Corinth, Galatia, and Laodicea each reflected distinct pressures—status seeking, Judaizing legalism, and wealthy self-sufficiency. The repeated “I wish” shows the early Church faced divergent challenges yet required the same prophetic urgency. Paul’s forceful idiom belonged to Greco-Roman letter conventions, where wishes emphasized sincerity, but Scripture elevates it into Spirit-inspired admonition. Doctrinal and Ministry Implications 1. Spiritual Reality over Appearance: Earthly triumphalism (1 Corinthians) and religious performance (Galatians) are exposed as illusions; true reign and righteousness are future and Christ-centered. Pastoral Applications • Diagnostic Tool: When believers grow complacent or legalistic, the shepherd may echo Paul’s yearning—articulating holy desire to expose hidden idols. Related Concepts and Scriptures • Romans 9:3, where Paul expresses a similar wish concerning Israel, demonstrating sacrificial longing. Summary Strong’s Greek 3785 signals earnest desire employed by inspired authors to shake complacent hearts, defend gospel purity, and summon decisive faith. Whether uttered by Paul or by the risen Christ, the phrase pierces pretense, reveals pastoral passion, and calls the Church to the wholehearted allegiance her Lord so fervently desires. Forms and Transliterations Οφελον Ὄφελον ὄφελόν Ophelon Óphelon óphelónLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 4:8 InjGRK: ἐβασιλεύσατε καὶ ὄφελόν γε ἐβασιλεύσατε NAS: us; and indeed, [I] wish that you had become kings KJV: and I would to God ye did reign, INT: you reigned and I wish surely you did reign 2 Corinthians 11:1 Inj Galatians 5:12 Inj Revelation 3:15 Inj |