Original Word: θάλπω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: thalpó
Pronunciation: THAL-po
Phonetic Spelling: (thal'-po)
KJV: cherish
NASB: cherishes, tenderly cares
Word Origin: [probably akin to thallo "to warm"]

1. to brood
2. (figuratively) to foster

cherish.

Probably akin to thallo (to warm); to brood, i.e. (figuratively) to foster -- cherish.

2282 thálpō – properly, keep warm; (figuratively) "warm someone up" (= revive their health) by nourishing and nurturing.

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to warm, hence to cherish
NASB Translation
cherishes (1), tenderly cares (1).

STRONGS NT 2282: θάλπω

θάλπω;

1. properly, to warm, keep warm (Latinfoveo): Homer and following

2. like the Latinfoveo, equivalent to to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care: Ephesians 5:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:7; ((Theocritus, 14, 38): Alciphron 2, 4; Antoninus 5, 1).

Concept of Cherishing Warmth

The verb carries the picture of holding something close so that it is kept warm and safe. In classical use it described a bird that sits on her eggs or a parent who keeps a child snug at the breast. The emphasis is not merely on feeding but on the gentle, sustained, body-heat tenderness that safeguards life until it matures. Scripture adopts this domestic image to illustrate the kind of nurture that is both deliberate and affectionate.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• 1 Thessalonians 2:7 – “On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children.”
• Ephesians 5:29 – “Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.”

Biblical Usage and Meaning

1. Parental tenderness in ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:7). Paul likens his apostolic work to the warmth of a nursing mother. His choice of this verb highlights three facets of Christian service:

– Proximity: the servant stays close to those served.

– Protection: the servant shields fledgling faith from harm.

– Patience: the servant accepts slow growth, giving steady warmth rather than sudden force.

2. Self-care as an analogy of Christ’s care (Ephesians 5:29). Paul argues from common human instinct—people instinctively keep their bodies warm and nourished. That universal practice is set alongside Christ’s covenant commitment to His church. The verb underscores that Christ’s love is not abstract but tactile, continuous, and life-sustaining.

Theology of Nurture and Care

• Divine pattern: Deuteronomy 32:11 portrays God as an eagle hovering over its young, while Isaiah 40:11 describes Him gathering the lambs in His arms. The New Testament term gathers those motifs into a single word that conveys God’s relational warmth.
• Christological center: As Christ “cherishes” the church (Ephesians 5:29), He fulfills the Old Testament expectation of the Shepherd-King who gently leads His flock (Isaiah 40:11).
• Pneumatological implication: The Spirit indwells believers, continuing this nurturing presence (John 14:16-18).

Ministerial Significance

1. Discipleship. Genuine spiritual formation requires more than instruction; it demands the heat of personal commitment that guards fledgling believers from the chill of doubt.
2. Pastoral ethos. Elders and teachers are called to shepherd with the warmth exemplified by Paul—not harsh control, but sustaining affection (1 Peter 5:2-3).
3. Evangelism. The church’s witness gains credibility when outsiders see relationships marked by this same gentle warmth (John 13:34-35).

Marriage and Family Application

In Ephesians 5, the verb appears in the context of marital roles. Husbands are to imitate Christ’s cherishing care, ensuring an atmosphere where wives flourish spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The principle extends to parenting: children thrive under consistent, bodily-felt assurance of safety and love.

Historical Insights

First-century hearers knew the dangers of exposure and orphanhood. To “cherish” a child was literally to keep it alive. Paul’s use of the term would have stirred vivid awareness of life-or-death responsibility—an awareness that heightens the gravity of Christian ministry and marriage.

Practical Devotion

• Prayer: ask the Lord to warm cold affections for Him and His people.
• Fellowship: seek opportunities to affirm and protect the vulnerable in the congregation.
• Self-evaluation: measure ministry success not only by growth in numbers or knowledge but by the felt safety and thriving of those entrusted to your care.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2282 communicates a warmth that shelters and sustains life. Whether depicting apostolic ministry or Christ’s bond with His church, the verb calls believers to embody the same steady, affectionate nurture that reflects the heart of God.

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