3785. ophelon
Lexical Summary
ophelon: "I wish," "would that," "if only"

Original Word: ὤφελον
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ophelon
Pronunciation: o-FE-lon
Phonetic Spelling: (of'-el-on)
KJV: would (to God)
NASB: wish
Word Origin: [first person singular of a past tense of G3784 (ὀφείλω - ought)]

1. I ought (wish)
2. (interjection) oh that!

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
would that, I wish

First 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 Origin
from opheiló
Definition
would that (used to express an unattainable wish)
NASB Translation
wish (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3785: ὄφελον

ὄφελον (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 (); ὄφελον ἀπεθάνομεν, Exodus 16:3; Numbers 14:2; Numbers 20:3); with the future, Galatians 5:12 (Lucian, soloec. (or Pseudosoph.) 1, where this construction is classed as a solecism). Cf. Passow, ii., p. 603{a}; (Liddell and Scott, under the word ὀφείλω, II. 3).

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).
• It heightens contrast: present carnal conditions versus the desired spiritual state.
• In Revelation it bridges Christ’s omniscience (“I know your deeds”) with His disciplinary counsel, revealing divine pathos as well as authority.

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.
2. Apostolic Authority and Pastoral Heart: Paul’s wishes blend love, sarcasm, and zeal, modeling how leaders combine tenderness with bold speech.
3. Christ’s Loving Rebuke: Revelation 3:15 reveals that divine love does not tolerate indifference; desire for decisiveness springs from covenant relationship.
4. Freedom of the Gospel: The extreme language in Galatians 5:12 guards justification by faith, illustrating that doctrinal purity is a pastoral necessity, not an academic luxury.

Pastoral Applications

• Diagnostic Tool: When believers grow complacent or legalistic, the shepherd may echo Paul’s yearning—articulating holy desire to expose hidden idols.
• Humble Self-Examination: Congregations should ask, “Is the apostolic ‘I wish’ aimed at us? Are we lukewarm, prideful, or adding to the gospel?”
• Motivational Preaching: The expression can frame exhortations that move hearers from apathy toward fervent obedience without descending into mere scolding.
• Discipleship Language: Honest statements of longing (“I wish you would…” ) can foster transparent relationships that spur growth.

Related Concepts and Scriptures

Romans 9:3, where Paul expresses a similar wish concerning Israel, demonstrating sacrificial longing.
Deuteronomy 5:29, where the Lord says, “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear Me,” providing an Old Testament parallel of divine yearning.
Revelation 3:19, “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline,” connecting Christ’s wish with covenant love.

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 óphelón
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 4:8 Inj
GRK: 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
GRK: Ὄφελον ἀνείχεσθέ μου
NAS: I wish that you would bear
KJV: Would to God ye could bear with me
INT: I wish you were bearing with me

Galatians 5:12 Inj
GRK: Ὄφελον καὶ ἀποκόψονται
NAS: I wish that those who are troubling
KJV: I would they were even
INT: I wish even they would cut themselves off

Revelation 3:15 Inj
GRK: οὔτε ζεστός ὄφελον ψυχρὸς ἦς
NAS: nor hot; I wish that you were cold or
KJV: nor hot: I would thou wert cold
INT: nor hot I wish cold you were

Strong's Greek 3785
4 Occurrences


ὄφελόν — 4 Occ.

3784
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