the whole body supported and held together by sinews and ligaments

ἐπιχορηγέω 1 aor. ἐπεχορήγησα; 1 fut. pass. ἐπιχορηγηθήσομαι. For the interpretation of passages using this verb and cognates it is well to explore the possibility of connection with the Gr-Rom. cultural background of generous public service that finds expression in the χορηγ-family.

① to convey as a gift, give, grant (Dionys. Hal. 1, 42; Diog. L. 5, 67; Phalaris, Ep. 50; Alex. Aphr., Probl. 1, 81. In marriage contracts ἐ. τὰ δέοντα: BGU 183, 6; POxy 905, 10; CPR I, 27, 12; cp. Strabo 11, 14, 16) τί τινι someth. to someone Hs 2:5, 7. σπέρμα τῷ σπείραντι give seed to the sower 2 Cor 9:10. ὑμῖν τὸ πνεῦμα he who gives you the Spirit Gal 3:5. αὐτῷ τ. ἐγκράτειαν 1 Cl 38:2, end.—Pass. ἐπιχορηγηθήσεται ὑμῖν ἡ εἴσοδος you will be granted an entrance 2 Pt 1:11. Without an acc. to denote what is given (En 7:3), ἐ. comes to mean

② to provide (at one’s own expense), supply, furnish (SEG XXXIX, 605, 2 [205/204 B.C.?]; Dionys. Hal. 10, 54) fig. extension of mng. 1 ἐ. τὴν ἀρετήν 2 Pt 1:5 (within a variation of the rhetorical form κλῖμαξ).

③ to provide what is necessary for the well-being of another, support (Sir 25:22; En 7:3; Ar. 15, 7; s. ἐπιχορηγία) ὁ πλούσιος ἐπιχορηγείτω τῷ πτωχῷ let the rich person support the indigent one 1 Cl 38:2 (Ar. 15, 7). Pass. ὁ πένης ἐπιχορηγούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ πλουσίου the poor person, who is supported by the rich Hs 2:6. πᾶν τὸ σῶμα διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν καὶ συνδέσμων ἐπιχορηγούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον the whole body supported and held together by sinews and ligaments Col 2:19 (for the pass. of the simplex the mng. be supported, receive help is well attested [Ps.-X., Respubl. Athen. (the ‘Old Oligarch’) 1, 13; Polyb. 3, 75, 3; 4, 77, 2; 9, 44, 1; Sir 44:6; 3 Macc 6:40], and in Hs 2:5 the simplex and the compound appear to be used w. the same value, but the compound may here mean help afterwards, for a wealthy individual is here obligated to a poor one).—Danker, Benefactor 331f.—DELG s.v. χορός. M-M. S. also next entry.