task-work

ἔργον, ου, τό (Hom.+) work.

① that which displays itself in activity of any kind, deed, action

ⓐ in contrast to rest Hb 4:3, 4 (Gen 2:2), 10. In contrast to word: freq. used to describe people of exceptional merit, esp. benefactors (X., Hier. 7, 2, Cyr. 6, 4, 5; Cebes 2, 2 λόγῳ καὶ ἔργῳ Πυθαγόρειος; Lucian, Tox. 35. Oft. in Epict.; GDI 5039, 20 [Crete] οὔτε λόγῳ οὔτε ἔργῳ; Sir 3:8; 16:12; 4 Macc 5:38; En 14:22 πᾶς λόγος αὐτοῦ ἔργον; TestAbr A 9 p. 86, 26 [Stone p. 20] ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ; Philo; Jos., Ant. 17, 220, C. Ap. 2, 12; Larfeld I 497f) δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ mighty in word and deed Lk 24:19; cp. Ac 7:22; ἐν λόγῳ ἢ ἐν ἔ. in word and deed Col 3:17; cp. Ro 15:18; 2 Cor 10:11; 2 Th 2:17; Tit 1:16a; 1J 3:18; 2 Cl 17:7, also 4:3. A similar contrast betw. the ποιητὴς ἔργου doer who acts and the forgetful hearer Js 1:25, and betw. ἔργα and a πίστις that amounts to nothing more than a verbal statement 2:14–26 (s. JRopes, Exp. 7th ser., 5, 1908, 547–56 and his comm. 1916 ad loc.; HPreisker, ThBl 4, 1925, 16f; ETobac, RHE 22, 1926, 797–805; AMeyer, D. Rätsel des Jk 1930, 86ff; ASchlatter, D. Brief des Jak. ’32, 184–207).

ⓑ manifestation, practical proof τὸ ἔ. τῆς πίστεως 1 Th 1:3; 2 Th 1:11. ἔ. διακονίας Eph 4:12. τὸ ἴδιον ἔργον τῆς προσευχῆς AcPl Ha 4, 27. τὸ ἔ. τοῦ νόμου acting in accordance with the law Ro 2:15 (perh. also the bringing of the law into effect, as Polyaenus 1, 19 τοῦ λογίου τὸ ἔργον=realization or fulfilment of the oracular response). ἡ ὑπομονὴ ἔ. τέλειον ἐχέτω let endurance show itself perfectly in practice Js 1:4.

ⓒ deed, accomplishment

α. of the deeds of God and Jesus, specif. miracles (Epict. 3, 5, 10 ἰδεῖν ἔργα τὰ σά [=τοῦ θεοῦ]; Ael. Aristid. 50, 17 K.=26 p. 506 D.: ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ θαυμαστόν; Quint. Smyrn. 9, 481 ἔργον ἀθανάτων of the healing of Philoctetes; Josh 24:29; Ps 45:9; 65:5; 85:8; JosAs 9:5; Jos., Bell. 5, 378 τ. ἔργα τοῦ θεοῦ, C. Ap. 2, 192) Mt 11:2; J 5:20, 36; 7:3, 21 (Diod S 5, 33, 5 ἓν ἔργον=just one practice); 9:3; 10:25, 37f; 14:10, 11, 12; 15:24; Ac 13:41 (Hab 1:5); 15:18 v.l.; Hb 3:9 (Ps 94:9); Rv 15:3. On Mt 11:19 s. δικαιόω 2bα.

β. of the deeds of humans, exhibiting a consistent moral character, referred to collectively as τὰ ἔργα (Ps 105:35; Job 11:11; Jon 3:10) J 3:20 f; 7:7; Js 3:13; 1J 3:12; Rv 2:2, 19; 3:1, 8, 15. σωτῆρος ἡμῶν τὰ ἔ. Qua. τὰ πρῶτα ἔ. Rv 2:5. πάντα τὰ ἔργα (Am 8:7; Mi 6:16) Mt 23:5. κατὰ τὰ ἔργα in accordance w. the deeds (Ps 27:4; 61:13; Pr 24:12; En 100:7; PsSol 2:16) Mt 23:3; Ro 2:6; 2 Ti 1:9; 4:14; Rv 2:23; 20:12f. Also κατὰ τὸ ἔργον 1 Pt 1:17. The collective τὸ ἔργον is used for the pl. (Sir 11:20) Gal 6:4; Hb 6:10; Rv 22:12. The ἔργον or ἔργα is (are) characterized by the context as good or bad Lk 11:48; 1 Cor 5:2; 2 Cor 11:15; 2 Ti 4:14; Js 2:25; 3J 10; Rv 14:13; 16:11; 18:6 (since in all these passages except Rv 14:13 ἔ. refers to something bad, it is well to point out that ἔργον when used alone also means an evil or disgraceful deed, e.g., Appian, Bell. Civ. 2, 22 §83 ἔργον οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς ἀπῆν=they abstained from no shameful deed; Apollon. Rhod. 4, 476; 742; Arrian, Anab. 3, 21, 4). Or they are characterized by an added word: ἔ. ἀγαθόν Ro 2:7; 13:3; 2 Cor 9:8; Phil 1:6; Col 1:10; 1 Ti 5:10; 2 Ti 2:21; 3:17; Tit 1:16b; 3:1; Hb 13:21 v.l. Pl. Eph 2:10 (misunderstood by JSanders, Ethics in the NT, ’75, 78; cp. Phil 1:6); 1 Ti 2:10. πλήρης ἔργων ἀγαθῶν rich in good deeds Ac 9:36. ἔ. καλόν Mt 26:10; Mk 14:6; J 10:33. Pl. (GrBar 15:2; Dio Chrys. 3, 52) Mt 5:16; J 10:32; 1 Ti 5:10a, 25; 6:18; Tit 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14, Hb 10:24; 1 Pt 2:12 (WvanUnnik, NTS 1, ’54/55, 92–110; cp. Diod S 16, 1, 1); 2 Pt 1:10 v.l.; 2 Cl 12:4. ἔργα ὅσια, δίκαια 6:9. ἔ. δικαιοσύνης B 1:6 (PsSol 18:8). ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ righteous deeds Tit 3:5. τὰ ἔ. τοῦ θεοῦ the deeds that God desires (Jer 31:10; 1 Esdr 7:9, 15) J 6:28; cp. vs. 29. τὰ ἔ. μου (i.e. Χριστοῦ) Rv 2:26. ἔργα πεπληρωμένα ἐνώπιον τ. θεοῦ 3:2. ἔ. ἄξια τ. μετανοίας Ac 26:20. ἔ. τῆς πίστεως the deeds that go with faith Hs 8, 9, 1. ἔ. αἰώνιον an imperishable deed IPol 8:1. τὰ. ἔ. τοῦ Ἀβραάμ deeds like Abraham’s J 8:39. τὰ ἔ. τ. πέμψαντός με 9:4.—ἔργα πονηρά evil deeds (1 Esdr 8:83; En 98:6; Tat. 23:2) Col 1:21; 2J 11; cp. J 3:19; 7:7; 1J 3:12 and ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔ. πονηροῦ 2 Ti 4:18. Also ἔ. τῆς πονηρᾶς ὁδοῦ B 4:10. νεκρά dead works, i.e. those that lead to death Hb 6:1; 9:14. ἄκαρπα unfruitful actions Eph 5:11. ἄνομα lawless deeds 2 Pt 2:8. Also ἔ. τῆς ἀνομίας B 4:1; Hs 8, 10, 3. ἔργα ἀσεβείας impious deeds Jd 15 (ἀσεβῆ ἔ. Just., A I, 23, 3). τοῦ σκότους deeds of darkness (i.e. unbelief) Ro 13:12; cp. Eph 5:11. ἔ. τῆς σαρκός deeds that originate in the flesh (i.e. sin) Gal 5:19. τὰ ἔ. τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν deeds such as your father (the devil) commits J 8:41. τῶν Νικολαϊτῶν Rv 2:6.—κρύφια, φανερὰ ἔ. secret, open deeds 2 Cl 16:3. Freq. in Paul ἔργα νόμου deeds that the law commands you to do Ro 3:20, 28; cp. 27; Gal 2:16; 3:2, 5, 10 (cp. 4Q MMT 3, 27 [=A Facsimile Edition of the Dead Sea Scrolls, ed. REisenman/JRobinson, I ’91, xxxi, fig. 8, c line 29]; MAbegg, Paul, ‘Works of the Law’ and MMT: Bar 20/6, ’94, 52–55; JDunn, NTS 43, ’97, 147–53). Also simply ἔργα, w. the same meaning Ro 4:2, 6; 9:12, 32; 11:6; Eph 2:9; s. ELohmeyer, ZNW 28, 1929, 177–207.—S. δικαιοσύνη 3 end.

② that which one does as regular activity, work, occupation, task (cp. Aristoph., Av. 862; X., Mem. 2, 10, 6; Arrian, Anab. 5, 23, 1; Epict. 1, 16, 21; Sir 11:20; TestSol 1:2 al.; Just., A II, 3, 5 βασιλικόν) w. gen. of the one who assigns the task τοῦ κυρίου 1 Cor 15:58; 16:10; Phil 2:30. διδόναι τινὶ τὸ ἔ. αὐτοῦ assign his task to someone Mk 13:34; πληροῦν ἔ. accomplish a task Ac 14:26. τ. ἔ. τελειοῦν finish the work (Dionys. Hal. 3, 69, 2 τ. οἰκοδομῆς τ. πολλὰ εἰργάσατο, οὐ μὴν ἐτελείωσε τὸ ἔργον; 2 Esdr 16:3, 16) J 17:4; cp. 4:34. ἡ κυρίου τοῦ ἔργου shop superintendent GJs 2:2 (s. deStrycker ad loc.) Of the task and work of the apostles Ac 13:2; 15:38. οἱ πιστευθέντες παρὰ θεοῦ ἔργον τοιοῦτο those who were entrusted by God with so important a duty 1 Cl 43:1. καρπὸς ἔργου fruit of work Phil 1:22. To love someone διὰ τὸ ἔ. αὐτοῦ because of what the person has done 1 Th 5:13. Of an office 1 Ti 3:1 (4 is also poss.). ἔ. ποιεῖν εὐαγγελιστοῦ do the work of an evangelist 2 Ti 4:5.—ἔ. συγγενικὸν ἀπαρτίζειν accomplish a proper, natural task IEph 1:1.

③ that which is brought into being by work, product, undertaking, work (Hom. et al.; Gen 2:2; 3 Km 7:15, 19; Jer 10:3; 1 Esdr 5:44; TestAbr A 13 p. 93, 11 [Stone p. 34] εἴ τινος κατακαύσει τὸ πὺρ; Just., D. 88, 8; Mel., P. 36, 244) work in the passive sense. W. special ref. to buildings (Aristoph., Av. 1125; Polyb. 5, 3, 6; Diod S 1, 31, 9; Appian, Mithrid. 30 §119; Arrian, Anab. 6, 18, 2; Dionys. Byz. §27; IG IV²/1, 106, 56; 114, 31 al.; PPetr III, 43 [2] I, 2 [III B.C.] εἰς τὰ ἔργα=for the buildings al.; 1 Macc 10:11; SibOr 4, 59; EPeterson, Biblica 22, ’41, 439–41) 1 Cor 3:13, 14, 15. Perh. a building is also meant in 1 Cor 9:1 and Ro 14:20 (s. καταλύω 2b). γῆ κ. τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔ. 2 Pt 3:10 (FDanker, ZNW 53, ’62, 82–86, would read καὶ γῇ κατὰ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα). Images of deities as ἔργα ἀνθρώπων 2 Cl 1:6 (Herodas 4, 26 ἔργα καλά of works of sculpture; Ath. 17:3f); sim. in the formulation ἔργον χειρός (cp. En 98:5; ApcEsdr 1:10; Herodas 7, 2f τῶν σῶν … χειρέων νοῆρες ἔργον; Epict. 3, 7, 24 τὰ χειρὸς ἔργα; Jos., Bell. 3, 268 of courageous deeds χειρῶν ἔργα; cp. Just., D. 23, 5 of circumcision not as ἔργον δικαιοσύνης) τὸ ἔ. τῶν χειρῶν τινος the work of someone’s hands=what someone has made Ac 7:41; Rv 9:20 (cp. Is 17:8; Just., A I, 20, 5 al.). Of the world as created by God (Celsus 4, 99) Hb 1:10 (Ps 101:26; Ar 4:24 al.); 2:7 v.l.; B 5:10; 15:3. τὰ ἔ. τοῦ διαβόλου the devil’s undertakings or enterprises (Arrian, Anab. 1, 11, 7 Τρωικὸν ἔ.=the Trojan undertaking, of the Trojan War) 1J 3:8. τὰ ἔργα τῆς θηλείας the works of the female (w. ref. to sensual desire like Horapollo 1, 11 p. 18 θηλείας ἔργον and Longus 4, 19, 5 ἔργα γυναικῶν) GEg 252, 56. Of adultery Rv 2:22.

④ someth. having to do with someth. under discussion, thing, matter (Hom. et al.) Ac 5:38. κρεῖττον IRo 2:1 (cp. GrBar 5:3 μείζονα τούτων ἔργα). ἔ. εὐφροσύνης a joyful thing B 10:11; οὐ πεισμονῆς τὸ ἔ. not a matter of persuasion IRo 3:3. οὐ νῦν ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἔ. it is not a matter of what we now profess IEph 14:2. Perh. also 1 Ti 3:1 (s. 2 above).—JKleist, ‘Ergon’ in the Gospels: CBQ 6, ’44, 61–68. DELG. M-M. EDNT. TW. Sv.

πόνος, ὁ, ([etym.] πένομαι)

A work, esp. hard work, toil, in Hom. mostly of the toil of war, μάχης π. the toil of battle, Il.16.568; πόνος alone, = μάχη, 6.77, Od.12.117, al.; πόνον ἔχειν, = μάχεσθαι, Il.6.525, cf. 13.2, al.;

ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσι π. καὶ δῆριν ἔθεντο 17.158

;

π. ἀνδρῶν Thgn.987

;

πόνοι Ἐνυαλίου Pi.I.6(5).54

; ἐν τούτῳ τῷ π. ὁ πολέμαρχος διαφθείρεται in this struggle (at Marathon), Hdt.6.114;

ἐν τοῖσι Τρωϊκοῖσι π. Id.9.27

.

2 generally, toil, labour,

ἐπεὶ παύσαντο πόνου Il.1.467

, al.; π. ὀρνίθεσσι τιθείη cause toil to them, Hes.Op. 470; π. λαβόντας incurring toil, Hdt.7.24;

π. παρέχειν μανθάνοντι Pl.R. 526c

; μάταιος π. labour in vain, Id.Ti. 40d;

οἱ κατὰ τὰ σώματα π. Id.Plt. 294e

;

π. συνεχής Democr.241

;

πολλῷ π. A.Pers. 509

;

μετὰ πολλοῦ π. Pl.Sph. 230a

;

σὺν π. X.Cyn.9.6

;

οὐ μακρῷ π. A.Pr.75

;

ἄνευ π. X.Mem.2.6.22

; ἔχει πόνον πολύν involves much trouble, Ar. Pax 1216 (also εἰνάλιον π. ἐχοίσας σκευᾶς when the tackle labours in the sea, Pi.P.2.79): pl.,

π. ἑκούσιοι Democr.240

.

3 of special kinds of labour, bodily exertion, exercise,

στρατιωτικοὶ π. X.Cyr.3.3.9

; of exertions in the games, Hes.Sc. 305, Pi.N.4.1, l.4(3).47, etc.; γυμνάσια.., νεανιᾶν (prob.) πόνον the scene of youthful labours, E.Hel. 211 (lyr.);

εἰναλίοισι πόνοισι Theoc.21.39

.

4 work, task, business,

ἐπεὶ π. ἄλλος ἔπειγεν Od.11.54

; enterprise, undertaking, S.Ph. 864 (lyr.), etc.

5 implements for labour, stock-in-trade,

οὗτος τοῖς ἁλιεῦσιν ὁ πᾶς πόνος Theoc.21.14

; καὶ πόνος ἐντὶ θάλασσα the sea is their workshop, Mosch.Fr.1.10.

II stress, trouble, distress, suffering, Il.19.227;

Τρώεσσι πόνον καὶ κήδε' ἔθηκεν 21.525

;

ἦ μὴν καὶ π. ἐστὶν.. 2.291

; ἐν τούτῳ τῷ π., of a storm, Hdt.7.190; ὁ Μηδικὸς [π.] the trouble from the Medes, Id.4.1;

παῦροι ἐν πόνῳ πιστοί Pi.N.10.78

: freq. in Trag.,

πόνος πόνῳ πόνον φέρει S.Aj. 866

(lyr.);

πόνον ἔχειν Id.OC 232

(lyr.), etc.: in pl., sufferings, A.Pr.66, 328, etc.; πόνους πονεῖν (cf.

πονέω B.1.2

);

διά τινα πόνους ἔχειν Ar.Ec. 975

(lyr.); also of disease,

κατέβαινεν ἐς τὰ στήθη ὁ π. Th.2.49

;

πλευρᾶς πόνοι καὶ θώρακος καὶ ἥπατος Dsc.1.2

; ἰσχίων π. καὶ πλευρᾶς ib. 73.

2 pain, esp. physical,

δύο π. ἅμα γενομένων, μὴ κατὰ τὸν αὐτὸν τόπον, ὁ σφοδρότερος ἀμαυροῖ τὸν ἕτερον Hp.Aph.2.46

, cf. Erot. s.v. πόνοι, Gal.17(2).699;

π. ἐν κεφαλῇ Hp.

Acut.(Sp.) 40;

ἐς τὰ ἄρθρα πόνοι Id.Aph.4.44

,45, cf. Sor.1.27, al.;

π. ἐς ἀμφοτέρας κνήμας Hp. Epid.1.26

.γ, cf. δ, al., LXX Ge.34.25; distd. from λύπη (pain in general), Alex.Aphr.Quaest.125.33; but sts. = λύπη, Epicur.Ep.3p.65U., Sent.Vat.4, Fr. 442, Phld.Mus.p.72K.

III anything produced by work, a work, μελισσᾶν τρητὸς π., of honey, Pi.P.6.54;

ὑψηλὸς τεκτόνων π. A.Fr. 357

, cf. E.Or. 1570; ὁ ἐμὸς ὠδίνων π., of a child, Id.Ph.30; so, πόνον ὀρταλίχων ὀλέσαντες, i.e. the nestlings, A.Ag.54 (anap.); τοὺς ἡμετέρους π. the fruits of our labour, X.An.7.6.9.

IV Πόνος personified as son of Eris, Hes.Th. 226.

πρόβλημα, ατος, τό, ([etym.] προβάλλω)

A anything thrown forward or projecting, πόντου π. ἁλίκλυστον sea-washed promontory, S.Aj. 1219 (lyr.).

2 hindrance, obstacle, Hp.Nat.Mul.67, Mul.1.20, Ael. NA2.13.

II anything put before one as a defence, bulwark, barrier,

προβλήματα ἀντ' ἀσπίδων ἐποιεῦντο γεράνων δοράς Hdt.7.70

, cf.4.175;

τῶν.. π. τὰ μὲν πρὸς τὸν πόλεμον ὁπλίσματα, τὰ δὲ φράγματα Pl.Plt. 279d

sq., cf. Sph. 261a; σώματος π., of a shield, A.Th. 540; νεῶν προβλήματα, of a wall, E.Rh. 213; χαλκᾶ προβλήματα the brazen armour of horses, X.Cyr.6.1.51.

2 c.gen. objecti, defence against a thing,

αἰχμῆς καὶ πέτρων A.Th. 676

;

χείματος προβλήματα E.Supp. 208

;

π. χειμώνων Pl.Ti. 74b

;

π. κακῶν Ar.V. 615

;

κρύους π. ποιοῦνται τὴν ἐσθῆτα Plu.2.691d

; but,

3 μηδὲν φόβου π. μηδ' αἰδοῦς ἔχειν to have neither fear nor reverence as a defence, S.Aj. 1076; τὸν ποταμὸν π. λαβεῖν, ποιήσασθαι, Plb.2.66.1, 3.14.5.

III anything put forward as an excuse,

π. τοῦ τρόπου D.45.69

; λαβὼν π. σαυτοῦ παῖδα making a screen of him, S.Ph. 1008.

IV task. business, E.El. 985, Gal.11.250.

2 problem in Geometry, etc., Pl.R. 530b, Tht. 180csq., Plu. Marc.14, 19, etc.;

φυσικὰ π. Epicur.Ep.2p.36U.

; οἱ κατὰ πρόβλημα λόγοι (opp. τὰ ἐν τῷ βίῳ) theoretical, Phld.Lib.p.59 O.

3 in the Logic of Arist., question as to whether a statement is so or not, Arist. Top. 101b28, cf. 104b1: τὰ π. title of work by Arist., cf. Mete. 363a24, PA 676a18, GA 747b5, cf. προβληματικός; also of the extant work wrongly ascribed to Arist.

4 practical or theoretical problem,

εἰς π. παμμέγεθες ἐνέπεσε Plb.28.13.9

;

εὕροντο λύσιν τοῦ π. Id.30.19.5

;

ἐν προβλήμασιν ἢ κρίνομεν ἢ βουλευόμεθα Hermog.Inv.1.1

.

5 riddle,

π. προβάλλειν LXX Jd.14.12

.

① maker of stage properties (acc. to Pollux 7, 189 the Old Comedy used the word as a synonym for μηχανοποιός=either a ‘stagehand’ who moved stage properties [as Aristoph., Pax 174] or a ‘manufacturer of stage properties’. Associated terms include σκηνογράφος Diog. L. 2, 125 and σκηνογραφία Arist., Poet. 1449a and Polyb. 12, 28a, 1, in ref. to painting of stage scenery) Ac 18:3. But if one understands σκηνή not as ‘scene’ but as ‘tent’ and considers it improbable that Prisca, Aquila, and Paul would have practiced such a trade in the face of alleged religious objections (s. Schürer II 54–55 on Jewish attitudes towards theatrical productions), one would follow the traditional rendering

② tentmaker. This interpretation has long enjoyed favor (s. Lampe s.v.; REB, NRSV; Hemer, Acts 119, 233), but several considerations militate against it. The term σκηνοποιός is not used outside the Bible (and its influence), except for Pollux (above) and Herm. Wr. 516, 10f=Stob. I, 463, 7ff. There it appears as an adj. and in a figurative sense concerning production of a dwelling appropriate for the soul. The context therefore clearly indicates a structure as the primary component, but in the absence of such a qualifier in Ac 18:3 it is necessary to take account of words and expressions that similarly contain the terms σκηνή and ποιεῖν. A survey of usage indicates that σκηνή appears freq. as the obj. of ποιέω in the sense ‘pitch’ or ‘erect a tent’ (s. ποιέω 1a; act. σκηνοποιέω Is 13:20 Sym. οὐδὲ σκηνοποιήσει ἐκεῖ ῎ Αραψ; 22:15 Sym.; mid. σκηνοποιέομαι Aristot., Meteor. 348b, 35; Clearch., Fgm. 48 W.; Polyb. 14, 1, 7; Diod S 3, 27, 4; Ps.-Callisth. 2, 9, 8.—Cp. σκηνοποιί̈α Aeneas Tact. 8, 3; Polyb. 6, 28, 3; ins, RevArch 3, ’34, 40; and acc. to the text. trad. of Dt 31:10 as an alternate expr. for σκηνοπηγία.—Ex 26:1, it is granted, offers clear evidence of use of the non-compounded σκηνή + ποιέω in the sense ‘produce’ or ‘manufacture [not pitch] a tent’, but the context makes the meaning unmistakable; cp. Herodian 7, 2, 4 on the building of rude housing). Analogously σκηνοποιός would mean ‘one who pitches or erects tents’, linguistically a more probable option than that of ‘tentmaker’, but in the passages cited for σκηνοποιέω and σκηνοποιί̈α components in the context (cp. the case for provision of housing in the Hermetic pass.) clearly point to the denotation ‘pitching of tents’, whereas Ac 18:3 lacks such a clear qualifier. Moreover, it is questionable whether residents of nomadic areas would depend on specialists to assist in such a common task (s. Mt 17:4 par. where a related kind of independent enterprise is mentioned).—That Prisca, Aquila, and Paul might have been engaged in the preparation of parts for the production of a tent is also improbable, since such tasks would have been left to their hired help. That they might have been responsible for putting a tent together out of various pieces is ruled out by the availability of the term σκηνορράφος (Ael., VH 2, 1 et al.; Bull. Inst. Arch. Bulg. 8, 69) in the sense of stitching together (the verb ἐπιτελεῖν Hb 8:5 does not support such a view, for it is not an alternate expr. for ‘production’ of a tent but denotes ‘completion’ of a project, connoting a strong sense of religious commitment; see ἐπιτελέω 2) in which the component ῥαφ-provides an unmistakable qualifier.—In modern times more consideration has been given to identification of Paul’s trade as ‘leather-worker’, an interpretation favored by numerous versions and patristic writings (s. Zahn, AG, ad loc.; L-S-J-M Suppl., s.v., as replacement for their earlier ‘tentmaker’; Haenchen, ad loc., after JJeremias, ZNW 30, ’31; Hock, s. below). As such he would make tents and other products from leather (Hock [s. below] 21). But this and other efforts at more precise definition, such as weaver of tent-cloth (a view no longer in fashion) may transmit reflections of awareness of local practice in lieu of semantic precision.—In the absence of any use of the term σκηνοποιός, beyond the pass. in Pollux and the Herm. Wr., and the lack of specific qualifiers in the text of Ac 18:3, one is left with the strong probability that Luke’s publics in urban areas, where theatrical productions were in abundance, would think of σκηνοποιός in ref. to matters theatrical (s. 1). In addition, Ac 20:34; 1 Cor 4:12; 1 Th 2:9; 2 Th 3:8 indicate that Paul’s work was of a technical nature and was carried out in metropolitan areas, where there would be large demand for such kind of work. What publics in other areas might understand is subject to greater question, for the evidence is primarily anecdotal.—JWeiss, Das Urchristentum 1917, 135; FGrosheide, Παῦλος σκηνοποιός: TSt 35, 1917, 241f; Zahn, AG II 632, 10; 634; Billerb. II 745–47; Beginn. IV, 223; PLampe, BZ 31, ’87, 211–21; RHock, The Social Context of Paul’s Ministry: Tentmaking and Apostleship ’80.—M-M. TW.

προφέρω, [dialect] Ep. and [dialect] Ion. [tense] impf. προφέρεσκον, Q.S.4.275, IG14.1747.6 ([place name] Rome): [tense] fut. προοίσω: [tense] aor. 1 προήνεγκα: [tense] aor. 2

A

προήνεγκον Th.5.17

: Hom.only [tense] pres.; [ per.] 3sg.[tense] pres.subj.

προφέρῃσι Il.9.323

:— bring before or to one, present,

ὡς ὄρνις.. νεοσσοῖσι προφέρῃσι μάστακα Il.

l.c.;

νέκυν Ἀχιλλῆϊ 17.121

;

μάντεις σφάγια προὔφερον Th.6.69

;

προενέγκας τὴν ἐπιστολήν BGU1141.11

(i B.C.), cf. PTeb.291.43 (ii A.D.), etc.

2 of words, σφιν ὀνείδεα π. cast reproaches in their teeth, Il.2.251; π. τινί throw in one's teeth, bring forward, allege, esp. in the way of reproach or objection,

μή μοι δῶρ' ἐρατὰ πρόφερε χρυσέης Ἀφροδίτης 3.64

, cf. Hdt.1.3, 8.61, 125, Isoc.4.100;

π. τοὔνομα τοῦθ' ὡς ὄνειδος D.21.190

;

δικαιώσεις ἀλλήλοις Th.5.17

: abs., reproach (folld. by words quoted), Hdt.3.120:—also in [voice] Med.,

τὴν ἐν Δωδώνῃ ἀσέβειαν Plb.5.11.2

;

εἶναι βασιλικὴν γῆν PTeb.81.17

(ii B.C.), cf. PAmh.2.30.7 (ii B.C.), etc.

3 utter,

μῦθον E.Med. 189

(anap.):—[voice] Med.,

ζῷα ἀνθρωπίνας π. φωνάς S.E. P.1.73

, cf. 15, Jul.Or.7.218c.

b π. Αἴγιναν πάτραν proclaim it as their country, Pi.I.5(4).43; π. εἰς μέσον or εἰς τὸ μ. publish, Pl.Lg. 812c, 936a:—[voice] Med., ὁπόσσω κα προφέρηται for whatever sum [the priest] lays down, Berl.Sitzb.1927.169 ([place name] Cyrene).

4 bring forward, cite,

μὴ π. τὴν τότε γενομένην ξυνωμοσίαν Th.3.64

, cf. 5.26 ([voice] Pass.), Pl. Sph. 259d; προφέρων Ἄρτεμιν putting forward her authority, A.Ag. 201 (lyr.); π. τὰς ἐπονειδίστους τῶν ἡδονῶν citing by way of example, Arist.EN 1173b21, cf. Pol. 1288a20:—also in [voice] Med., Pl.Phlb. 57a, X. Oec.14.6; ἀναμνήσεως χάριν π. Plb.4.66.10; αὐτοῦ -ομένου τὴν περὶ τὸ σῶμα γεγενημένην ἀσθένειαν pleading.., OGI244.10 (Daphne, ii B.C.); cite, Plu.Lyc.21; recite,

ποιήματα D.S.14.109

, cf. 16.92;

ἀριθμοὺς τῶν ἀρχαίων ποιητᾶν SIG703.7

, cf. 660.3 (Delph., ii B.C.).

5 of an oracle, propose as a task,

τοῖσι Θηραίοισι προέφερε ἡ Πυθίη τὴν ἐς Λιβύην ἀποικίην Hdt.4.151

;

ἡ Πυθίη προφέρει σφι, τὰς Ἀθήνας ἐλευθεροῦν Id.5.63

:—[voice] Pass., δόμοισι προὐνεχθέντος ἐν χρηστηρίοις (gen. abs.) it having been commanded to do so, A.Ag. 964.

II bring forward, display,

π. κρατερὸν μένος Il.10.479

;

σπουδήν LXX Si.Prol.22

; ἔριδα π. show, i.e. engage in, rivalry, Od.6.92;

ἀντιώσεσθαι πόλεμον προφέρων Hdt.7.9

.γ:—[voice] Med., ξεινοδόκῳ ἔριδα προφέρεσθαι challenge one's host to rivalry, Od.8.210, cf. Il.3.7.

2 bring out, ἐντεῦθεν ὥσπερ ἐκ ταμιείου π. Isoc.1.44; ἤνοιξα τὸν τόπον τῶν οἰναρίων καὶ προενήνεχα (sic)

οἴνου κεράμια νά POxy.1288.12

(iv A.D.); ἠξίωσαν προενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου that he should be produced.., BGU 1024 vii 4 (iv A.D.).

III carry off, sweep away, of a storm, Il.6.346, Od.20.64; of death,

π. σώματα τέκνων E.Med. 1111

(anap.).

IV put or move forward,

πόδα Id.Tr. 1332

(lyr.); carry forward, pass on,

σκυταλίδα Aen.Tact.22.27

: hence, promote, further, ἠώς τοι προφέρει μὲν ὁδοῦ, π. δὲ καὶ ἔργου furthers one on the road and in the work, Hes.Op. 579: without gen., AP9.344 (Leon. Alex.); μέγα π. εἴς τι conduce, help to wards gaining an object, Th.1.93; μεγάλη τύχη πρὸς πάντα π. D.C.78.38:—[voice] Pass., move forward,

προενεχθέντος τοῦ σώματος Arist.IA 711a29

.

2 intr., surpass, excel another,

δόξας ἔργα πολὺ προφέρει Simon.161

, cf. Theoc.12.5: c. dat. rei, εἴρια καλλονῇ τε προφέροντα καὶ ἀρετῇ τῶν ἀπὸ τῶν ὀΐων (tree) wool surpassing sheep's wool in beauty and goodness, Hdt.3.106;

πλούτῳ καὶ εἴδεϊ προφέρων Ἀθηναίων Id.6.127

; ἡ Νάξος εὐδαιμονίῃ τῶν νήσων π. Id.5.28;

π. εἰς εὐτυχίαν τινῶν E.Med. 1092

(anap.): abs., ἐν πάντα νόμον εὐθύγλωσσος ἀνὴρ π. Pi.P.2.86; πλούτῳ καὶ ἐξουσία, εὐψυχία, Th.1.123, 2.89, cf. Q.S.4.275;

ἔν τινι D.C.77.11

.

V bring forth children, IG14.1747.6 ([place name] Rome).

VI carry before,

λύχνον τινί D.C. 39.31

:—[voice] Pass.,

τὸ ῥόπαλον προεφέρετο αὐτοῦ Id.72.17

.

στέλλω, Il.4.294, etc.: [tense] fut.

A

στελῶ S.Ph. 640

, [dialect] Ep.

στελέω Od.2.287

: [tense] aor.

ἔστειλα Th.7.20

, [dialect] Ep.

στεῖλα Od.14.248

: [tense] pf.

ἔσταλκα Arr.An.2.11.9

, ([etym.] ἀπ-, ἐπ-) Isoc.1.2, E.Ph. 863: [tense] plpf.

ἐστάλκει Arr.An.3.16.6

, ([etym.] ἐπ-) Th.5.37:—[voice] Med., Il.23.285, etc.: [tense] fut.

στελοῦμαι Lyc.604

: [tense] aor. ἐστειλάμην, [dialect] Ep. στειλ-, Il.1.433, S.OT 434, etc.:—[voice] Pass., [tense] fut. στᾰλήσομαι ([etym.] ἀπο-) Aeschin.3.114 (v.l.), D.24.93; simple

σταλήσομαι J.AJ2.4.2

: [tense] aor. ἐστάλθην (in compd. ἀποσταλθέντες) GDI5186.4 ([place name] Crete), cf.Sch. Od.8.21; more freq. ἐστάλην [ᾰ], Pi.O.13.49, Hdt.4.159, ([etym.] ἐπ-) Th.1.91, etc.: [tense] pf.

ἔσταλμαι Hdt.7.62

, Pl.Lg. 833d, etc.: [tense] plpf.

ἐστάλμην Philostr. VA3.25

, [ per.] 3pl.

ἐστάλατο Hes.Sc. 288

; ἐσταλάδατο and ἐστελάδατο dub.ll.in Hdt.7.89 (leg. ἐστάλατο):— make ready,

οὓς ἑτάρους στέλλοντα καὶ ὀτρύνοντα μάχεσθαι Il.4.294

;

οὔτε κέ σε στέλλοιμι μάχην ἐς κυδιάνειραν 12.325

; νῆα ς. rig or fit her out, Od.2.287, cf. 14.247;

πλοῖον Hdt.3.52

;

ναῦς τριάκοντα Th.7.20

;

τὰ ἐκ νεώς S.Ph. 1077

: also στρατιήν, στόλον, στρατόν, fit out an armament, get it ready, Hdt.3.141, 5.64, A.Pers. 177, etc.;

ᾧ δὴ τόνδε πλοῦν ἐστείλαμεν S.Aj. 1045

: also στέλλειν τινὰ ἐσθῆτι furnish with, array in, a garment, Hdt.3.14;

χιτῶνι S.Tr. 612

: c. dupl. acc.,

στολὴν σ. τινά E.Ba. 827

sq.;

σ. τινὰς ὡς δεσποίνας X.HG5.4.5

; σ. ἕλκος dress it, Hp.VC14; bury, ἐνὶ γαίῃ ς. A.R.3.205:—[voice] Med., στεῖλαί νυν ἀμφὶ χρωτὶ.. πέπλους put on robes, E.Ba. 821: c. dat., ἐσθῆτι στειλάμενοι having dressed themselves in.., Luc.Philops.32: metaph.,

σ. κιθάρην Hermesian.7.2

:—[voice] Pass., fit oneself out, get ready, ἄλλοι δὲ στέλλεσθε do you others prepare (to compete in the games), Il.23.285;

στρατὸν κάλλιστα ἐσταλμένον Hdt.7.26

, cf. 3.14, 7.93: c. acc. cogn., τὴν αὐτὴν ταύτην ἐστ. ib.62: c. dat., πρεπούσῃ στολῇ ἐστ. Pl.Lg. 833d: folld. by a Prep.,

ἐσταλμένος ἐπὶ πόλεμον X.An.3.2.7

; ἐς ἄγραν, ἐπ' ἄγρην, Lyc.604, AP 7.535 (Mel.);

περὶ ὄργια E.Ba. 1000

(lyr.): c. inf., ἐστέλλετο ἀπιέναι he prepared to go, Hdt.3.124;

κινεῖν κώπας E.Tr. 181

(lyr.).

II dispatch, send,

ἐς οἶκον πάλιν A.Pr. 389

, cf. E.IA 119 (lyr.), etc.;

ἐξ ἑνὸς στείλαντος S.OC 737

:—[voice] Med. and [voice] Pass., set out, or (esp. in [tense] aor. 2 [voice] Pass.) journey, Hdt.1.165, 3.53, 4.159, 5.92.β: c. acc. cogn.,

ὁδὸν στέλλεσθαι S.Ph. 1416

(anap.), cf. A.R.4.296;

πρὸς θάλασσαν E.Hel. 1527

;

ἐπὶ τὸν χρυσόν Hdt.3.102

;

ἐπὶ πλοῖα X.An.5.1.5

;

τούτων γὰρ οὕνεκ' ἐστάλην S.Aj. 328

;

ἴδιος ἐν κοινῷ σταλείς Pi.O.13.49

;

οἷπερ ἐστάλην ὁδοῦ S.El. 404

;

οἴκαδε Τροίας ἄπο E.Tr. 1264

; κατὰ γῆν (v.l. γῆς) X.An.5.6.5: abs.,

στέλλου, κομίζου

begone!

A.Pr. 394

: c. acc. loci, ὀμφαλὸν γῆς ς. E.Med. 668;

μέλαθρα Id.HF 109

(lyr.); of things, to be sent, S.Tr. 776: metaph. of speech,

ἀέρα ἐκπέμπειν στελλόμενον ὑφ' ἑκάστων τῶν παθῶν Epicur.Ep.1p.27U.

2 [voice] Act. intr. in sense of the [voice] Pass. (in Hdt. and Trag.), prepare to go, start, set forth,

ἔστελλε ἐς ἀποικίην Hdt.4.147

, cf. 148, 5.125, S.Ph. 571, 640: c. acc. cogn.,

κέλευθον τήνδε.. ἔστειλα A.Pers. 609

.

3 [voice] Med., set out upon a task,

στέλλεσθαι πρός τι Pl.Phlb. 50e

;

ἐπί τι Id.Sph. 230b

; ἐπ' αὐτὸ δὴ τοῦτο στελλώμεθα; Id.Lg. 892e;

ἐπὶ θήρας πόθον ἐστέλλου E.Hipp. 234

(anap.);

ἐπὶ τυραννίδ' ἐστάλης Ar.V. 487

.

III summon, fetch, bring a person to a place, S.OT 860, cf. OC 298, Ph. 623, 983;

ὑμᾶς ἔστειλ' ἱκέσθαι Id.Ant. 165

, cf. Ph.60, 495; [ ἐμπορίαν] Pl.Ep. 313e:—[voice] Med., σ' ἂν οἴκους τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἐστειλάμην I would have sent for thee.., S.OT 434:—[voice] Pass., Id.OC 550 (cj.).

b ἡ ὁδὸς εἰς Κόρινθον στέλλει leads to Corinth, Luc.Herm.27.

IV gather up, make compact, esp. as a nautical term, furl, take in,

ἱστία.. στεῖλαν Od.3.11

, 16.353;

στείλασα λαῖφος A.Supp. 723

:—[voice] Med.,

ἱστία μὲν στείλαντο Il.1.433

, cf. Call.Del. 320, Arist.Mech. 851b8: abs., στέλλεσθαι (sc. ἱστία) Teles p.10 H., Plb.6.44.6; so ἐπιστολάδην δὲ χιτῶνας ἐστάλατο they girded up, tucked up their clothes to work, Hes.Sc. 288, cf. A.R.4.45: abs.,

στειλάμενος σιγᾷς AP11.149

.

2 check, Epicur.Ep.1p.7U.; repress, Ph.2.274, etc.:—[voice] Med., Plb.8.20.4; λόγον στειλώμεθα draw in, shorten our words, i.e. not speak out the whole truth, E.Ba. 669; σ. τὸ συμβεβηκός hush it up, Plb.3.85.7; πρόσωπον στέλλεσθαι draw up one's face, look rueful, Phryn.PS p.107 B.

3 Medic., bind, make costive, τὰ στέλλοντα astringents, opp. τὰ καθαίροντα, Gal.1.221, cf. Alex.Aphr.Pr.Praef.:—[voice] Pass., φλέβες στέλλονται shrink up, Nic.Al. 193.

4 [voice] Med., restrict one's diet, οὔτ' ἂν ἀπόσχοιντο ὧν ἐπιθυμέουσιν, οὔτε στείλαιντο (v.l. ὑποστ-) Hp.VM5; στελλόμενοι τοῦτο avoiding this, 2 Ep.Cor.8.20;

στέλλεο Περσεφόνας ζᾶλον Supp.Epigr.2.615

([place name] Teos). (Cf. εὔσπολον, κασπολέω, σπολάς, σπόλος, σπελλάμεναι; prob. I.-E. sq[uglide]el-. but not found in cogn. languages; I.-E. st(h)el- is prob. found in OSlav. st[icaron]lati 'spread out', Lat. lātus (fr. *stlātus) 'broad', with which στέλλω may be cogn.)

οἰκονομία, ας, ἡ (οἰκονομέω; X., Pla.+; ins., pap; Is 22:19, 21; TestJob, ParJer, Philo, Joseph.)

① responsibility of management, management of a household, direction, office (X., Oec. 1, 1; Herodian 6, 1, 1; Jos., Ant. 2, 89; PTebt 27, 21 [114 B.C.]; PLond III, 904, 25 p. 125 [104 A.D.]; Orig., C. Cels. 8, 57, 22).

ⓐ lit., of the work of an οἰκονόμος ‘estate manager’ Lk 16:2–4 (this passage shows that it is not always poss. to draw a sharp distinction betw. the office itself and the activities associated w. it).—WPöhlmann, Der verlorene Sohn u. das Haus ’93.

ⓑ Paul applies the idea of administration to the office of an apostle οἰκονομίαν πεπίστευμαι I have been entrusted with a commission/task 1 Cor 9:17 (cp. Theoph. Ant. 1, 11 [p. 82, 8]); ἀνθρωπίνων οἰκονομίαν μυστηρίων πεπίστευνται they have been entrusted with the administration of merely human mysteries Dg 7:1. Of a supervisor (bishop): ὸ̔ν πέμπει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης εἰς ἰδίαν οἰκ. (οἰκ. ἰδίου οἴκου) the one whom the master of the house sent to administer his own household IEph 6:1. This is prob. also the place for κατὰ τὴν οἰκ. τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς according to the divine office which has been granted to me for you Col 1:25, as well as ἠκούσατε τὴν οἰκονομίαν τ. χάριτος τ. θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς you have heard of the administration of God’s grace that was granted to me for you Eph 3:2 (on the other hand, this latter vs. may be parallel to the usage in vs. 9; s. 2b below).

② state of being arranged, arrangement, order, plan (X., Cyr. 5, 3, 25; Polyb. 4, 67, 9; 10, 16, 2; Diod S 1, 81, 3)

ⓐ ἡ τῆς σαρκὸς οἰκονομία of the arrangement or structure of the parts of the body beneath the skin; they are laid bare by scourging MPol 2:2.—(Iren. 5, 3, 2 [Harv. II, 326, 3]).

ⓑ of God’s unique plan private plan, plan of salvation, i.e. arrangements for redemption of humans (in the pap of arrangements and directions of authorities: UPZ 162 IX, 2 [117 B.C.]; CPR 11, 26, and in PGM [e.g. 4, 293] of the measures by which one wishes to attain some goal by extrahuman help.—Just., D. 31, 1 τοῦ πάθους … οἰκ.; Hippol., Did.) ἡ οἰκ. τοῦ μυστηρίου the plan of the mystery Eph 3:9 (v.l. κοινωνία; on the thought cp. vs. 2 and s. JReumann, NovT 3, ’59, 282–92.—Just., D. 134, 2 οἰκονομίαι … μυστηρίων). Also in the linguistically difficult passage 1:10 οἰκ. certainly refers to the plan of salvation which God is bringing to reality through Christ, in the fullness of the times. κατʼ οἰκονομίαν θεοῦ according to God’s plan of redemption IEph 18:2 (cp. Ath. 21, 4 κατὰ θείαν οἰκ.—Pl.: Iren. 1, 10, 1 [Harv. I 90, 8]) προσδηλώσω ὑμῖν ἧς ἠρξάμην οἰκονομίας εἰς τὸν καινὸν ἄνθρωπον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν I will explain to you further the divine plan which I began (to discuss), with reference to the new human being Jesus Christ IEph 20:1. AcPl Ha 3, 23 of God’s marvelous plan = way of doing things; 6, 26 ο̣ἰ̣κο̣ν̣[ομίαν πληρῶσω κτλ.] (so that I might carry out God’s) plan for me; pl. 5, 27 [ὡς καὶ ἐκεῖ τὰς τοῦ κυρίου οἰκο]νομίας πληρῶσε (=πληρῶσαι) [Paul has gone off to carry out God’s] purpose [also there] (in Macedonia) (apparently a ref. to the various missionary assignments given by God to Paul; for the formulation cp. τὴν οἰκ. τελέσας Orig., C. Cels. 2, 65, 4).

ⓒ also of God’s arrangements in nature pl. αἱ οἰκ. θεοῦ Dg 4:5 (cp. Tat. 12, 2; 18, 2 ὕλης οἰκ.; Did., Gen. 92, 6 πάντα ὑπὸ τὴν αὐτοῦ οἰκ. ἐστίν.—Of the order in creation Theoph. Ant. 2, 12 [p. 130, 2]).

③ program of instruction, training (in the way of salvation); this mng. (found also Clem. Alex., Paed. 1, 8, 69, 3; 70, 1 p. 130 St.) seems to fit best in 1 Ti 1:4, where it is said of the erroneous teachings of certain persons ἐκζητήσεις παρέχουσιν μᾶλλον ἢ οἰκονομίαν θεοῦ τὴν ἐν πίστει they promote useless speculations rather than divine training that is in faith (οἰκοδομήν and οἰκοδομίαν [q.v.] as vv.ll. are simply ‘corrections’ to alleviate the difficulty). If οἰκ. is to be taken in the sense of 1b above, the thought of the verse would be somewhat as follows: ‘endless speculative inquiry merely brings about contention instead of the realization of God’s purpose which has to do with faith.’—OLillger, Das patristische Wort, diss. Erlangen ’55; JReumann, The Use of ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΑ and Related Terms etc., diss. U. of Pennsylvania ’57.—DELG s.v. νέμω. M-M. EDNT. TW. Spicq. Sv.

χράομαι (χρή) mid. dep. pres. 2 sg. χρᾶσαι (B-D-F §87), ind. and subj. 3 sg. χρῆται IRo 9:1; 1 Ti 1:8 (B-D-F §88); impf. ἐχρώμην; fut. χρήσομαι LXX; 1 aor. ἐχρησάμην; pf. κέχρημαι (Mlt-H. 200) (Hom.+) ‘use’, a common multivalent term.

① make use of, employ

ⓐ w. dat. τινί someth. (Appian, Bell. Civ. 4, 102 §427f θαλάσσῃ; Wsd 2:6; 13:18; 4 Macc 9:2; GrBar 6:12; Demetr.: 722 Fgm. 5 Jac.; Philo, Aet. M. 70; 71; Jos., Bell. 3, 341; Just., A I, 14, 2, D. 57, 2; Tat. 12, 5.—B-D-F §193, 5; Rob. 532f) βοηθείαις ἐχρῶντο Ac 27:17 (s. βοήθεια 2).—1 Cor 7:31 v.l.; 9:12, 15; 1 Ti 5:23 (οἶνος 1); 2 Cl 6:5; Dg 6:5; 12:3 (ᾗ μὴ καθαρῶς χρησάμενοι not using it in purity); ITr 6:1; IPhld 4; Hs 9, 16, 4 (of the use of a seal as PHib 72, 16 [III B.C.]). διαλέκτῳ use a language Dg 5:2. Of law (Trag., Hdt. et al.; Jos., C. Ap. 2, 125) τοῖς νόμοις live in accordance with the laws (Jos., Ant. 16, 27; Ath. 1, 1) Hs 1:3f; cp. 6. ἐάν τις αὐτῷ (=τῷ νόμῳ) νομίμως χρῆται 1 Ti 1:8. προφήταις χρῆσθαι appeal to the prophets AcPlCor 1:10. A dat. is to be supplied w. μᾶλλον χρῆσαι make the most of, take advantage of 1 Cor 7:21, either τῇ δουλείᾳ (so the Peshitta, Chrysostom, Theodoret, and many modern interpreters and translators, among the latter, 20th Century, Goodsp., NRSV; s. also HBellen, Ac 6, ’63, 177–80) or τῇ ἐλευθερίᾳ (so Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, FGodet, Lghtf., Zahn, Moffatt, RSV, NRSV mg., REB); s. μᾶλλον 2a.—If μ. χ. is construed without an implied dat., the phrase can be understood in the sense be all the more useful, work all the harder (cp. Vi. Aesopi G 17 P. on the theme of dedication to a task) i.e. as a freedperson be as industrious as a slave. (On this subj.: TZahn, Sklaverei u. Christentum in d. alten Welt [1879]: Skizzen aus dem Leben d. alten Kirche² 1898, 116–59; EvDobschütz, Sklaverei u. Christent.: RE³ XVIII 423–33; XXIV 521; JvWalter, Die Sklaverei im NT 1914; FKiefl, Die Theorien des modernen Sozialismus über den Ursprung d. Christentums, Zugleich ein Komm. zu 1 Cor 7:21, 1915, esp. p. 56–109; JWeiss, Das Urchristentum 1917, 456–60; ASteinmann, Zur Geschichte der Auslegung v. 1 Cor 7:21: ThRev 16, 1918, 341–48; AJuncker, D. Ethik des Ap. Pls II 1919, 175–81; JKoopmans, De Servitute Antiqua et Rel. Christ., diss. Amsterdam 1920, 119ff; ELohmeyer, Soz. Fragen im Urchrist. 1921; FGrosheide, Exegetica [1 Cor 7:21]: GereformTT 24, 1924, 298–302; HGreeven [s.v. πλοῦτος 1]; MEnslin, The Ethics of Paul 1930, 205–10; WWestermann, Enslaved Persons Who Are Free, AJP 59, ’38, 1–30; HGülzow, Christent. u. Sklaverei [to 300 A.D.], ’69, 177–81; SBartchy, MALLON CHRESAI, ’73=SBLDS 11, ’85; TWiedmann, Greek and Roman Slavery ’81; COsiek, Slavery in the Second Testament World: BTB 22, ’92, 174–79 [lit.]; JHarril, The Manumission of Slaves in Early Christianity ’95, esp. 68–128. On slavery in antiquity gener.: WWestermann, Pauly-W. Suppl. VI ’35, 894–1068, The Slave Systems of Gk. and Rom. Antiquity, ’55; WKristensen, De antieke opvatting van dienstbaarheid ’34; MPohlenz, D. hellen. Mensch ’47, 387–96; Kl. Pauly V 230–34; BHHW III 1814f; MFinley, Slavery in Classical Antiquity ’60; KBradley, The Problem of Slavery in Classical Culture: ClPh 92, ’97, 273–82 [lit.]; PGarnsey, Ideas of Slavery from Aristotle to Augustine ’96.) τινὶ εἴς τι use someth. for someth. (Oenomaus in Eus., PE 5, 33, 14; Simplicius In Epict. p. 27, 52 Düb.; cp. Tat. 17, 4 πρὸς τὸ κακοποιεῖν) Hv 3, 2, 8. σὺ αὐτὸς χρᾶσαι ἐκ τῶν αὐτῶν λίθων you yourself function as one from these same stones 3, 6, 7 (s. app. in Whittaker and Joly; for lit. s. Leutzsch, Hermas 418 n. 355).—W. a double dat. (Trag. et al.) σχοινίῳ χρώμενοι τῷ πνεύματι using as a rope the Holy Spirit IEph 9:1. W. double dat. of pers. (Jos., C. Ap. 1, 227; Just., D. 7, 1; Tat. 36, 1; Ath. 32, 1) of the Syrian ἐκκλησία, which ποιμένι τῷ θεῷ χρῆται resorts to God as shepherd IRo 9:1.

ⓑ w. acc. (X., Ages. 11, 11; Ps.-Aristot., Oecon. 2, 22, 1350a, 7 χρ. τὰ τέλη εἰς διοίκησιν τῆς πόλεως; Ael. Aristid. 13 p. 162 D.; SIG 1170, 27 ἄνηθον μετʼ ἐλαίου χρ.; PTebt 273, 28 ὕδωρ χρ.; Wsd 7:14 v.l.; 2 Macc 4:19.—B-D-F §152, 4; Rob. 476) τὸν κόσμον 1 Cor 7:31 (cp. Simplicius In Epict. p. 29, 30 Düb. τὸ τοῖς μὴ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν ὡς ἐφʼ ἡμῖν οὖσι κεχρῆσθαι=to use that which is not in our power as if it were in our power; s. also MDibelius, Urchristentum u. Kultur 1928).

② act, proceed (Hdt. et al.; POxy 474, 38 et al.) w. dat. of characteristic shown (Aelian, VH 2, 15; Jos., Ant. 10, 25; Just., D. 79, 2; Tat. 40, 1; Mel., HE 4, 26, 13) τῇ ἐλαφρίᾳ 2 Cor 1:17. πολλῇ παρρησίᾳ 3:12. ὑποταγῇ 1 Cl 37:5.—W. adv. (PMagd 6, 12 [III B.C.] et al.) ἀποτόμως 2 Cor 13:10.

③ treat a person in a certain way, w. dat. of pers. and an adv. (X., Mem. 1, 2, 48 φίλοις καλῶς χρ.; OGI 51, 8 [III B.C.] τοῖς τεχνίταις φιλανθρώπως χρῆται; PPetr III, 115, 8 [III B.C.] πικρῶς σοι ἐχρήσατο; POxy 745, 6; Esth 2:9; TestJob 20:3 ὡς ἐβούλετο; Jos., Ant. 2, 315, C. Ap. 1, 153 φιλανθρώπως; Just., A I, 27, 1 αἰσχρῶς) φιλανθρώπως ὁ Ἱούλιος τῷ Παύλῳ χρησάμενος; cp. Hs 5, 2, 10.—DELG s.v. χράομαι p. 1274. M-M. EDNT.

1) assignment

2) business

3) job

4) servitude

5) task

6) work