Original Word: περιποιέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: peripoieó
Pronunciation: pe-ree-poy-EH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-poy-eh'-om-ahee)
KJV: purchase
NASB: keep, obtain, purchased
Word Origin: [middle voice from G4012 (περί - about) and G4160 (ποιέω - do)]

1. to make around oneself, i.e. acquire (buy)

acquire, purchase.

Middle voice from peri and poieo; to make around oneself, i.e. Acquire (buy) -- purchase.

see GREEK peri

see GREEK poieo

Cognate: 4046 peripoiéomai – properly, fully acquire (literally, "make all-around, comprehensively"); make one's own; reserve for oneself, with deep personal interest (caring).

Word Origin
from peri and poieó
Definition
to preserve, get possession of
NASB Translation
keep (1), obtain (1), purchased (1).

STRONGS NT 4046: περιποιέω

περιποιέω, περιποιῶ: middle, present περιποιοῦμαι; 1 aorist περιεποιησάμην; (see περί, III. 2); from Herodotus down; "to make to remain over; to reserve, to leave or keep safe, lay by; middle to make to remain for oneself," i. e.:

1. to preserve for oneself (the Sept. for הֶחֱיָה): τήν ψυχήν, life, Luke 17:33 T Tr WH (τάς ψυχάς, Xenophon, Cyril 4, 4, 10).

2. to get for oneself, purchase: τί, Acts 20:28 (Isaiah 43:21; δύναμιν, Thucydides 1, 9; Xenophon, mem. 2, 7, 3); τί ἐμαυτῷ, gain for myself (Winer's Grammar, § 38, 6), 1 Timothy 3:13 (1 Macc. 6:44; Xenophon, an. 5, 8, 17).

Semantic Range in Scripture

The verb conveys the idea of securing something for oneself—either by purchasing at great cost, by preserving from loss, or by obtaining a privileged position. The range moves from God’s redemptive action (Acts 20:28), to the disciple’s struggle over self-preservation (Luke 17:33), to the honorable outcome of faithful service in the church (1 Timothy 3:13). In each setting, the focus rests on value: what is deemed worth acquiring, and by what means.

Acts 20:28—Redemption at Infinite Cost

“Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.”

Here the verb highlights the Lord’s personal initiative to make the church His treasured possession. The imagery brings together shepherding and purchasing: Christ not only watches over the flock; He has obtained it through the price of His own blood. The term underscores both ownership and ongoing protection, rooting pastoral ministry in the finished work of redemption. Elders guard what Christ has already secured, not what they themselves create.

Luke 17:33—The Paradox of Self-Preservation

“Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it.”

Jesus turns the verb toward personal discipleship. Attempting to “secure” one’s earthly life—holding it back from God—results in true loss. Conversely, surrendering life for Christ’s sake leads to the only preservation that matters. The word therefore warns against a false sense of security and exhorts believers to entrust themselves wholly to the Lord who alone can truly “acquire” life for them.

1 Timothy 3:13—The Reward of Faithful Service

“For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Here the verb describes what devoted deacons gain by diligent ministry: a “high standing” before the congregation and boldness in their walk with Christ. The acquisition is not material but spiritual and communal. Faithful servants are publicly recognized and inwardly strengthened, illustrating that godly labor within the body of Christ yields lasting benefits.

Theological Threads

1. Divine Ownership: The church belongs to God because He has “acquired” it through the blood of Christ.
2. Costly Grace: Redemption emphasizes sacrifice; what God values, He purchases at full price.
3. True Security: Human efforts to secure life apart from God fail. Real preservation is found only in surrender to Christ.
4. Reward for Service: God graciously ordains that faithful ministry leads to increased influence and confidence.

Historical and Liturgical Significance

In early Christian communities, the term would evoke both commercial and covenantal overtones: a redeeming transaction akin to emancipation from slavery and the Old Testament motif of a “people for His own possession.” The apostolic church applied the concept to baptismal identity, Eucharistic remembrance of the blood, and the commissioning of leaders who guard what God has purchased.

Pastoral Implications

• Shepherds must remember that oversight is stewardship of what Christ already owns.
• Discipleship teaching should confront self-protective instincts with the gospel paradox of losing life to save it.
• Churches should publicly honor faithful servants, reinforcing that humble ministry “acquires” enduring standing.

Practical Application for Believers Today

• Ground personal security not in temporal assets but in being part of Christ’s purchased people.
• Embrace sacrificial obedience, trusting that surrender leads to genuine preservation.
• Serve diligently, knowing that God notices and rewards faithfulness with deeper assurance and influence.

Related Biblical Concepts

Redemption (Ephesians 1:7), Ransom (Mark 10:45), God’s Possession (1 Peter 2:9), Stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:1-2), Reward for Labor (Hebrews 6:10).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4046 weaves together the gospel’s costly purchase, the call to self-denial, and the honor bestowed on faithful servants. Whether referring to Christ’s blood-bought church, the believer’s life, or the deacon’s standing, the verb consistently points to the supreme worth of what God secures and the surety of His preserving power.

περιεποιησάμην περιεποιησατο περιεποιήσατο περιεποίησατο περιεποιήσω περιεποιούντο περιπεποίημαι περιποιείται περιποίησαι περιποιησασθαι περιποιήσασθαι περιποιήσασθε περιποιήσεται περιποιήσετε περιποιησόμεθα περιποιήσονται περιποιησώμεθα περιποιουνται περιποιούνται περιποιοῦνται periepoiesato periepoiēsato periepoiḗsato peripoiesasthai peripoiēsasthai peripoiḗsasthai peripoiountai peripoioûntaiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts