Original Word: διαφέρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diapheró
Pronunciation: dee-af-er'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-af-er'-o)
KJV: be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value
NASB: more valuable, carry, differ, differs, driven about, essential, excellent
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and G5342 (φέρω - bring)]

1. to bear through
2. (literally) transport
3. usually to bear apart
4. (objectively) to toss about
5. (figuratively) report
6. (subjectively) to "differ"
7. (by implication) surpass

be better, differ from, make matter, publish

From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. (objectively) to toss about (figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ", or (by implication) surpass -- be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK phero

1308 diaphérō (from 1223 /diá, "through," intensifying 5342 /phérō, "carry") – properly, take all the way through (i.e. to the end); (figuratively) to distinguish fully to show what is better (superior).

1308 /diaphérō ("distinguishing what differs") underlines the key difference in meaning involved, i.e. separating (distinguishing from) the one element in a comparison (its value) from another.

Example: Phil 1:10: "For the purpose of you continuously approving the things that differ (1308 /diaphérō), so that you may be found brightly-pure (transparent) and unoffensive into (unto, 1519/eis the day of Christ."

Word Origin
from dia and pheró
Definition
to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a difference, surpass
NASB Translation
carry (1), differ (1), differs (1), driven about (1), essential (1), excellent (1), makes...difference (1), more valuable (3), spread (1), valuable (1), worth...more (1).

STRONGS NT 1308: διαφέρω

διαφέρω; 2 aorist διηνεγκον (but the subjunctive 3 person singular διενέγκῃ (Mark 11:16), the only aorist form which occurs, can come as well from 1 aorist διήνεγκα; cf Veitch, under the word φέρω, at the end); passive (present διαφέρομαι); imperfect διεφερομην; (from Homer (h. Merc. 255), Pindar down);

1. to bear or carry through any place: σκεῦος διά τοῦ ἱεροῦ, Mark 11:16.

2. to carry different ways, i. e., a. transitive, to carry in different directions, to different places: thus, persons are said διαφέρεσθαι, who are carried hither and thither in a ship, driven to and fro, Acts 27:27 (Strabo 3, 2, 7, p. 144; σκάφος ὑπ' ἐναντίων πνευμάτων διαφερόμενον, Philo, migr. Abr. § 27; Lucian, Hermot. 28; often in Plutarch) metaphorically, to spread abroad: διεφέρετο ὁ λόγος τοῦ κυρίου δἰ ὅλης τῆς χώρας, Acts 13:49 (ἀγγελιας, Lucian, dial. deor. 24, 1; φήμη διαφέρεται, Plutarch, mor., p. 163 d.).

b. intransitive (like the Latindiffero) to differ: δοκιμάζειν τά διαφέροντα, to test, prove, the things that differ, i. e. to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful, Romans 2:18; Philippians 1:10 (διάκρισις καλοῦ τέ καί κακοῦ, Hebrews 5:14); cf. Thol. Commentary on Romans, p. 111 edition 5.; Theophilus of Antioch ad Autol., p. 6, Otto edition δοκιμάζοντες τά διαφέροντα, ἤτοι φῶς, ἤ σκότος, ἤ λευκόν, ἤ μέλαν κτλ.); (others, adopting a secondary sense of each verb in the above passages, translate (cf. A. V.) to approve the things that excel; see Meyer (yet, cf. Weiss edition) on Romans, the passage cited; Ellicott on Philippians, the passage cited). διαφέρω τίνος, to differ from one, i. e. to excel, surpass one: Matthew 6:26; Matthew 10:31; Matthew 12:12; Luke 12:7, 24 (often so in Attic authors); τίνος ἐν τίνι, 1 Corinthians 15:41; (τίνος οὐδέν, Galatians 4:1).

c. impersonally, διαφέρει, it makes a difference, it matters, is of importance: οὐδέν μοι διαφέρει, it matters nothing to me, Galatians 2:6 (Plato, Prot., p. 316 b. ἡμῖν οὐδέν διαφέρει, p. 358 e.; de rep. 1, p. 340 c.; Demosthenes 124, 3 (in Philippians 3, 50); Polybius 3, 21, 9; Aelian v. h. 1, 25; others; (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 394; Wetstein (1752) on Galatians, the passage cited)).

Overview of Biblical Usage

The verb occurs thirteen times in the New Testament, spanning Gospel narratives, Pauline correspondence, and Acts. Its contexts fall into three broad spheres: (1) assessing comparative value, (2) recognizing distinctions without partiality, and (3) conveying motion or spread. Each sphere deepens the reader’s grasp of God’s care, wisdom, and redemptive purpose.

Human Worth in the Teaching of Jesus

Jesus employs the term repeatedly to assure anxious hearts of the Father’s providence.
• “Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
• “How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!” (Matthew 12:12).
• “You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31; Luke 12:7).
• “How much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:24).

In each instance, a simple comparison—birds, sheep, sparrows—grounds the higher worth of those created in God’s image. Pastoral application flows naturally: anxiety fades when believers grasp that their value, set by divine choice, exceeds all lesser creatures.

Discernment and Ethical Priorities

Paul twice uses the term to describe the ability to approve what is best.
• “You know His will and approve what is superior because you are instructed by the law.” (Romans 2:18).
• “…so that you can discern what is best, that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:10).

Here the word moves from quantitative value to qualitative discernment. Scripture-trained minds sift options, separate good from excellent, and align choices with eschatological hope.

The Distinct Glory of Resurrection Bodies

“There is one degree of splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; and star differs from star in splendor.” (1 Corinthians 15:41).

Paul draws on observable differences in celestial bodies to depict the promised diversity and magnificence of resurrection glory. Individuality is preserved; splendor is bestowed; God’s creative richness is affirmed.

Equality and Differentiation in Apostolic Fellowship

“But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me.” (Galatians 2:6).

The term underscores that apostolic standing is rooted not in human reputation but in divine calling. Spiritual authority is recognized, yet the gospel levels all grounds for boasting.

Status and Sonship under Law and Grace

“What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he differs little from a servant, although he is the owner of everything.” (Galatians 4:1).

Paul contrasts a minor heir’s legal limitations with the full privileges believers enjoy in Christ. The word highlights both the difference that exists under law and the greater difference inaugurated by adoption.

The Advancement of the Gospel

“And the word of the Lord spread through that region.” (Acts 13:49).

Here the verb pictures the gospel carried forward, penetrating new territory. The early church understood evangelistic momentum as God-driven movement, not human marketing.

Orderly Worship and Zeal for God’s House

“He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.” (Mark 11:16).

Jesus blocks the shortcut traffic that treated sacred space as a public thoroughfare. The term for “carry through” exposes the disregard of commercialism and defends reverent worship.

Navigating Perilous Waters

“On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea…” (Acts 27:27).

Luke’s nautical detail portrays the ship borne along by forces beyond human control—yet ultimately under God’s providence. The same verb that signals purposeful spread of the word also depicts uncontrolled drift, inviting trust in God amid life’s tempests.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

1. Assurance of Worth: Repeated contrasts with birds and livestock invite believers to rest in the Father’s valuing love.
2. Pursuit of Excellence: Spiritual maturity entails testing and approving the things that matter most.
3. Hope of Glory: Varied splendors of resurrection bodies stir anticipation rather than envy.
4. Humble Unity: Distinctions in role never negate equality in grace.
5. Missional Urgency: The gospel is meant to be “carried through” every region until Christ returns.

διαφερει διαφέρει διαφέρειν διαφερετε διαφέρετε διαφερομενων διαφερομένων διαφεροντα διαφέροντα διενεγκη διενέγκη διενέγκῃ διεφερετο διεφέρετο diapherei diaphérei diapherete diaphérete diapheromenon diapheromenōn diapheroménon diapheroménōn diapheronta diaphéronta dienenke dienenkē dienénkei dienénkēi diephereto diephéretoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts