Strong's G5532: χρεία (chreía) Meaning

Quick Definition

χρεία, ας, ἡ n.f. need, necessity, business

Strong's Definition

employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution

Derivation: from the base of G5530 (χράομαι) or G5534 (χρή);

KJV Usage: business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

χρεία (G5532)

noun, f. | -ας | χράομαι

57.40 · Possess, Transfer, Exchange · Need, Lack

need, lack, what is needed (derivative of χρῄζω ‘to lack,’ 57.39) that which is lacking and particularly needed

MAT 6:8 · MAT 9:12 · MAT 21:3 · MAT 26:65 · MRK 2:17 · MRK 2:25 · MRK 11:3 · MRK 14:63 · LUK 5:31 · LUK 9:11 · LUK 10:42 · LUK 15:7 · LUK 19:31 · LUK 19:34 · LUK 22:71 · JHN 2:25 · JHN 13:10 · JHN 13:29 · ACT 2:45 · ACT 4:35 · ACT 20:34 · ACT 28:10 · ROM 12:13 · 1CO 12:21 · 1CO 12:21 · 1CO 12:24 · EPH 4:28 · EPH 4:29 · PHP 2:25 · PHP 4:16 · PHP 4:19 · 1TH 4:12 · TIT 3:14 · HEB 7:11 · HEB 10:36 · 1JN 2:27 · 1JN 3:17 · REV 3:17 · REV 21:23 · REV 22:5

71.23 · Mode · Should, Ought

need, what should be that which should be or happen, with the implication of need or lack to be made up

MAT 3:14 · MAT 14:16 · JHN 16:30 · 1TH 1:8 · 1TH 4:9 · 1TH 5:1 · HEB 5:12 · HEB 5:12 · HEB 7:11 · HEB 10:36

42.22 · Perform, Do · Do, Perform

needed task, necessary work an activity which is needed

ACT 6:3

¹ ACT 6:3 It is possible that in ACT 6:3 χρεία should be understood simply in terms of task or responsibility.

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

χρεία, -as, ἡ, (χρή); fr. Aeschyl. and Soph.down; 1. necessity, need: τὰ πρὸς τὴν χρείαν [LT Tr WH mp. τὰς χρείας (cf. below)], such things as suited the exigency, such things as we needed for sustenance and the journey, Acts xxviii. 10; εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, [A. V. for necessary uses] i. e. to supply what is absolutely necessary for life [(ef. Babr. fab. 136, 9) ; al. understand the ‘wants’ here as comprising those of charity or of worship], Tit. iii. 14; πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας, for the edification of souls, of which there is now special need, Eph. iv. 29 [ef. R. V. and mrg.]; ἔστι χρεία, there is need, foll. by an acc. with inf. Heb. vii. 11; ἔστι χρεία τινός, there is need of something, Rev. xxii. 5 Grsb.; Lk. x. 42 [(but not WH mrg.)]; ἔχω χρείαν τινός, to have need of (be in want of) some thing (often in the Grk. writ. fr. Aeschyl. down, ef. Passow 8. v. 1; [L. and S. s.v. II.1]), Mt. vi. 8; xxi.3; Mk. xi. 8; Lk. [ix. 11; xv. 7]; xix. 31, 34; xxii. 71; Jn. xiii. 29; 1 Co. xii. 21, 24; 1 Th. iv. 12; Heb. x. 36; Rev. iii. 17 R G (see below) ; xxi. 23; xxii. 5 (not Grsb.); τοῦ with an inf. Heb. v. 12 [W.§ 44, 4 a.; cf. ris, 2 b. p. 626

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

χρεία chreia 49x

use; need, necessity, requisiteness, Eph. 4:29; Heb. 7:11; personal need, an individual want, Acts 20:34; Rom. 12:13; Phil. 2:25; 4:16, 19; χρείαν ἔχω, to need, require, want, Mt. 6:8; 14:16; Mk. 2:25; Jn. 2:25; ἐστὶ χρεία, there is need, Lk. 10:42; τὰ πρὸς τὴν χρείαν, necessary things, Acts 28:10; a necessary business, affair, Acts 6:3

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

χρεία, -ας, ἡ

[in LXX: II Ch 2:16 (15) (צֹרֶךְ), II Es 7:20 (חַשְׁחוּת) freq. in Si, I-II Mac ;]

need, necessity: Ac 28:10, Tit 3:14; πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χ. (RV, txt., for edifying as the need may be; but v. Field, Notes, 192), Eph 4:29; ἕστι χ., Lk 10:42, He 7:11; χ. ἔχειν, c. gen., Mt 6:8 21:3, Mk 11:3, Lk 9:11 15:7 19:31, 34 22:71, Jo 13:29, I Co 12:21, 24, I Th 4:12, He 10:36, Re 21:23 22:5; seq. τοῦ, c. inf. (Bl., § 71, 3), He 5:12; absol. (sc. gen.), Ac 2:45 4:35; c. gen. pers., Mt 9:12 26:65, Mk 2:17 14:63, Lk 5:31; c. inf. (Bl., § 69, 5), Mt 3:14 14:16, Jo 13:10 , I Th 1:8 4:9; seq. ἵνα, Jo 2:25 16:30, I Jo 2:27; absol., Mk 2:25, Eph 4:28, I Jo 3:17; οὐδὲν χ. ἔχειν, Re 3:17; ἡ χ., c. gen. subjc., Phl 2:25 4:16, 19; pl., Ac 20:34, Ro 12:13.

matter, business (so esp. in late writers, Polyb., al.; I Mac 12:45, al.): Ac 6:3.†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

χρεία, (1) ‘‘necessity,” “‘need,”’ or ‘‘ occasion of need ᾿᾿: P Hib T. 5418 (c. B.C. 245) χρεία γάρ ἐστι ταῖς γυναιξὶν πρὸς τὴν θυσίαν, ‘for he is wanted by the women for the sacrifice” (Edd.), P Grenf II. 14(c)§ (iii/B.c.) πρὸς twa χρείαν ἀνᾳγkatay (cf. Tit 34), P Fay 1178 (A.D. 108) πέμσαι αὐτῷ... εἰκθύδιν (/. ἰχθύδιον), ἐπὶ (. ἐπεὶ) χρίαν αὐτοῦ ἔχωμον ( ἔχομεν), “‘send him some fish, as we want to make use of him” (Edd.), P Michigan Inv. No. 27985 (time of Hadrian) περ]ὶ ὧν ἐὰν χρείαν ἔχῃς γράφε por, ‘‘do you write to me about what you may need,” P Tebt II. 416}7 (ili/A.D.) μετάδες (ἡ. μετάδος) καὶ ᾿Ακουτᾶτι τῷ ἀδελφῷ ὅτι ἐὰν χρίαν τινὸς ἔχῃ ἡ γυνή μου ποίησον αὐτῆς τὴν χρίαν ἕως ἔλθω, μηδὲν ἐπιζητείτω, “tell my brother Akoutas also to do anything that my wife requires until I come, and let her want for nothing” (Edd.), and P Grenf II. 725 (a.p. 290-304) eis ἰδίαν pov χρείαν... τάλαντα δύο. For χρείαν ἔχω treated as an active verb and followed by the acc., as in Rev 317, cf. P Oxy VII. 10682° (iii/a.p.) εἴ τι ἂν ἄλλου (1. ἄλλο) σου χρίαν σκῶσιν (/. σχώσιν), ‘ with anything else they may need from you”’ (Ed.), 26. XIV. 1683!7f (late iv/a.D.) δὸς οὖν αὐτά, ἐπιδὲ χρείαν αὐτὰ ὁ vids μου (ἔχει, “‘give them to her, since my son needs them,” 76. XVI. 1929 (iv/v A.D.) χρίαν ἔχομεν τὰ πλοῖα, and P Lond 1918*8 (a.p. 330-340) εἴ τι χρείαν ἔχεις πέμψον σοι, with Bell’s note. (2) ‘“‘matter in hand,” ‘‘ business” (Ac 6%: cf. 1 Macc 12%, 2 Mace γῆς, Judith 1210): P Tebt I. 352 (B.c. 111) τοῖς ἐπὶ χρειῶν τεταγμένοις χαίρειν, “to the other officials, greeting,” BGU I. 18'4(a.p. 169) παραγ[γ]έλεται (/. παραγγέλλετε) ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι τῆς ἐνχιρισθίσης α[ὐ]τοῖς χρε[ία)ς ὑγιῶς καὶ πιστῶς, P Iand 335 (εἴτις of Commodus) ὀμνύομεν... ἀντιλήμψασθαι τῆς χρίας καὶ φυλάξιν (= -ev) διὰ νυκτὸς τὴν κώμ[ην] ἀνεγκλήίϊτως, Ρ Tebt IT. 32723 (late li/A.D.) κεϊκελευσμένου οὖν. κύριε. γ[υἹναῖκας ἀφεῖσθαι τῶν τ[οιο]ύτων χρειῶν, ‘‘ wherefore, my lord, it has been decreed that women should be freed from such burdens” (Edd.), and 2 66 Χρείαν ἔδωκα, ‘‘you said ‘I have not given in any of them (se. certain names) for the office ’” (Ed.). In Mk 11%, Mt 213, Lk 1931) 6 κύριος αὐτοῦ (αὐτῶν) Χρείαν ἔχει, Nicklin (CX xv. (1601), p. 203) thinks that, in view of the order of the words, the natural translation is, “*Tts (their) owner needs (it or them).”” Various translations of Eph 459 ἀλλ᾽ εἴ tis ἀγαθὸς πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας are discussed by Field, Motes p. 192, with a preference for “‘that which is good for the improvement of the occasion.” J. A. Robinson (Com. ad 1.) renders ‘‘ for building up as the matter may require” or ‘‘ as need may be.

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

χρεία (chreia) — need. χρεία (written χρέα [Refs 3rd c.BC+], Ionic dialect χρείη [Refs], ἡ: (χράομαι, κέχρημαι):— need, want, χρείας ὕπο [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ἵν᾽ ἕσταμεν χρείας considering in what great need we are, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; χρείᾳ πολεμεῖν to war with necessity, [Refs]: with genitive, want of.., φαρμάκων χρείᾳ κατεσκέλλοντο [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ἐν χρείᾳ δορός in the need or stress of war, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἦ μὴν ἔτ᾽ ἐμοῦ χρείαν ἕξει will have need of my help, [Refs 4th c.BC+], cf. Call.[same place]; ἀφίκοντο εἰς χρείαν τῆς πόλεως came to feel the need of its assistance, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἰατρῶν ἐν χρείαις ἐσόμεθα, ἐν χρείᾳ ἡγεμόνος εἶναι, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; so τίς χ. σ᾽ ἐμοῦ [ἔχει]; [Refs 5th c.BC+] with infinitive, [NT] (followed by (ίνα, [NT+4th c.BC+] 'necessity is the mother of invention', [Refs 5th c.BC+]

2. want, poverty, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

3. a request of necessity, opposed to ἀξίωσις (a claim of merit), [Refs 5th c.BC+]: generally, request, τὴν πρίν γε χ. ἠνύσασθ᾽ ἐμοῦ πάρα [Refs 4th c.BC+]; κἀγὼ.. τοιάνδε σου χ. ἔχω make such a request of or to thee, [Refs]

II. business, ὡς πρὸς τί χρεία; for what purpose? [Refs 5th c.BC+]

II. b especially military or naval service, ἡ πολεμικὴ χ. καὶ ἡ εἰρηνική the employments of war and of peace, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; αἱ κατὰ θάλατταν [χ.], ἡ ἐν τῇ γῇ χ., [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; οἱ ἐπὶ τῶν χ.[LXX+1st c.BC+]; in military sense, action, engagement, αἱ κατὰ μέρος χ. [Refs 2nd c.BC+]

II. c generally, business, employment, function, [Refs]; ἡ ἐγκεχειρισμένη χ. the duty assigned, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; οὓς καταστήσομεν ἐπὶ τῆς χ. ταύτης [NT+1st c.AD+]

II. d a business, affair, matter, like{χρέος}, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; τὴν ὑπὲρ τούτων χ. the study of these things, [Refs 4th c.BC+]

II. e χ. ἀναγκαία need of nature, [Refs 1st c.BC+]

III. use,

III.1. as a property, use, advantage, service, χρείης εἵνεκα μηδεμιῆς [Refs 6th c.BC+]; χρείαν ἔχειν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις to be of service to mankind, [Refs]; τὰ οὐδὲν εἰς χρείαν things of no use or service, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; χρείαν ἔχει εἴς τι is of service towards.., [Refs 5th c.BC+] services rendered by them, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; χρείας παρέχεσθαι render services, Decrees cited in [Refs 4th c.BC+]; ἵνα σοι τὰς χ. παρέσχωμαι (sic) [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; μεγάλην παρεῖχε χ. τοῖς κοινοῖς πράγμασιν [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; παρέχειν χ. to be serviceable, useful, [Refs 1st c.AD+]equipments, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

III.2. as an action, using, use, κτῆσις καὶ χ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐν χρείᾳ εἶναι in use, [Refs]; κατὰ τὴν χ. for use, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἡ χ. τῶν λόγων the employment of words, [Refs 5th c.BC+] is made bright by constant use, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

IV. of persons, familiarity, intimacy, τινος with one, [Refs 5th c.BC+]: generally, any relation of business or intercourse, ἐν χρείᾳ τινὶ τῇ πρὸς ἀλλήλους [Refs 5th c.BC+]in the relationship, capacity, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]

V. Rhet., pregnant sentence, maxim, frequently illustrated by an anecdote, Sen.[Refs 1st c.AD+]: plural, title of works by Zeno [Refs 5th c.BC+], a collection of sayings of courtesans, [Refs 1st c.AD+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

χρεία, -ας, ἡ [in LXX: 2Ch.2:16 (15) (צֹרֶךְ), Est.7:20 (חַשְׁחוּת) frequently in Sir.1:1-30 -2 Mac ;] __1. need, necessity: Act.28:10, Tit.3:14; πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χ. (RV, txt., for edifying as the need may be; but see Field, Notes, 192), Eph.4:29; ἕστι χ., Luk.10:42, Heb.7:11; χ. ἔχειν, with genitive, Mat.6:8 21:3, Mrk.11:3, Luk.9:11 15:7 19:31, 34 22:71, Jhn.13:29, 1Co.12:21 12:24, 1Th.4:12, Heb.10:36, Rev.21:23 22:5; before τοῦ, with inf. (Bl., § 71, 3), Heb.5:12; absol. (sc. genitive), Act.2:45 4:35; with genitive of person(s), Mat.9:12 26:65, Mrk.2:17 14:63, Luk.5:31; with inf. (Bl., § 69, 5), Mat.3:14 14:16, Jhn.13:10, 1Th.1:8 4:9; before ἵνα, Jhn.16:30, 1Jn.2:27; absol., Mrk.2:25, Eph.4:28, 1Jn.3:17; οὐδὲν χ. ἔχειν, Rev.3:17; ἡ χ., with genitive subjc., Php.2:25 4:16, 19; pl., Act.20:34, Rom.12:13. __2. matter, business (so esp. in late writers, Polyb., al.; 1Ma.12:45, al.): Act.6:3.† (AS)

Bible Occurrences (47)

3:14 6:8 9:12 14:16 21:3 26:65

2:17 2:25 11:3 14:63

5:31 9:11 10:42 15:7 19:31 19:34 22:71

2:25 13:10 13:29 16:30

2:45 4:35 6:3 20:34 28:10

12:13

12:21 12:24

4:28 4:29

2:25 4:16 4:19

1:8 4:9 4:12 5:1

3:14

5:12 7:11 10:36

2:27 3:17

3:17 21:23 22:5

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Need (5532) chreia

Need (5532)(chreia from chraomai = to use, make use of or chreos = a debt) means a necessity, what is needed or the occasion of need. Chreia refers in (Acts 6:3) to the needful matter, duty or task. In Ephesians chreia refers to an abstract need, the thing that is needed... Ephesians 4:29 (note) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Chreia can also convey the idea of something which is lacking and therefore is needed as in ... Mark 2:25 And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and became hungry, he and his companions: Acts 2:45 and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Romans 12:13 (note) contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Philippians 4:19 (note) And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Chreia can refer to that which should happen or be supplied because there is a need... Matthew 3:14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" Chreia is used 49 times in the NT (Matt. 3:14; 6:8; 9:12; 14:16; 21:3; 26:65; Mk. 2:17, 25; 11:3; 14:63; Lk. 5:31; 9:11; 10:42; 15:7; 19:31, 34; 22:71; Jn. 2:25; 13:10, 29; 16:30; Acts 2:45; 4:35; 6:3; 20:34; 28:10; Rom. 12:13; 1 Co. 12:21, 24; Eph. 4:28, 29; Phil. 2:25; 4:16, 19; 1Th 1:8; 4:9, 12; 5:1; Titus 3:14; Heb 5:12; 7:11; 10:36; 1Jn. 2:27; 3:17; Rev 3:17; 21:23; 22:5) and is translated necessary (1), need (40), needed (1), needs (6), task (1). Chreia is used 4 times in this letter... 1 Thessalonians 1:8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 1Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 1Thessalonians 4:12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. 1Thessalonians 5:1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. You yourselves - is emphatic. The readers themselves are taught by God. Taught by God to love one another - God's call to His own has always emphasized unselfish love, Moses recording... you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Lev 19:18) The concept of God teaching His children is found also in the NT John writing... And as for you, the anointing (the Spirit) which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1John 2:27) Comment: Do not misinterpret and misapply this passage. John is not saying we will never have need for human teachers. The present context refers to false teachers {1John 2:26}, so take care not to interpret this verse out of that context. In fact Scripture teaches that the church has a continual need to be edified by Spirit anointed and Spirit filled human teachers as seen in Paul's instructions to the church at Ephesus - Eph 4:11, 12, 13, 14 (see notes Ep 4:11; 12, 13; 14). David prayed to be taught by God... Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation. For Thee I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:5) (Spurgeon's Note) Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10) Spurgeon comments: "How childlike -- "teach me"! How practical "Teach me to do"! How undivided in obedience -- "to do thy will"! To do all of it, let it be what it may. This is the best form of instruction, for its source is God, its object is holiness, its spirit is that of hearty loyalty. The man is hidden in the Lord, and spends his peaceful life in learning the will of his Preserver. A heart cannot long be desolate which is thus docile." Spurgeon's Full Note The psalmist declared... O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and I still declare Thy wondrous deeds. (Psalm 71:17) (Spurgeon's Note) In the coming 1000 year earthly reign of the Messiah (see Millennium) the world will seek to be taught of God, Isaiah prophetically recording that... (in the last days when the mountain of the house of the LORD is established as the chief of the mountains) many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD (in Jerusalem, the Holy City), to the house of the God of Jacob (the Millennial Temple described by Ezekiel beginning in Ezekiel 40) that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths. (Note that God's teaching is never to be just "head knowledge" but is to be transmitted into "show leather" obedience as we behave according to what we believe)" For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Is 2:3, cp Mic 4:2 which speaks of the same time and same truth) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1thessalonians_49-10.htm#need

G5532 χρεία (chreía)