Greek noun (feminine) · G5532
χρεία
chreiakhri'-ah
need, necessity; matter, business (so esp. in late writers, Polyb., al.
49 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: chreía
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G5532is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 14 of 27New Testament books
- 5spellings
- 2meanings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · G5532
employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
The King James renders it: business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
chreia is rendered "need, necessity; matter, business (so esp. in late writers, Polyb., al.". It stands 49 times in the Greek text, across fourteen books.
- Seven of the uses stand in Luke, more than in any other book.
- The lexicon lists two meanings for it, beginning with "need, necessity".
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Matthew 3:14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
- The Greek text spells it five different ways.
The first use
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Matthew 3:14χρείαν
The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.
Where the word stands
The word stands in fourteen of the 27 New Testament books.
What the word means
The word carries two meanings: need, necessity, and matter, business (so esp. in late writers, Polyb., al..
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
| Meaning | Tagged as | Where |
|---|---|---|
| need, necessityAct.28:10 | Tagged as
| WhereMatthew 6:8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. |
| matter, business (so esp. in late writers, Polyb., al.1Ma.12:45 | Tagged as
| WhereActs 6:3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and… |
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
All 49, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
5 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- χρείαν40
- χρείας4
- χρεία2
- χρείαις2
- χρείας.¶1
The grammar of each form
- noun · accusative (object) · feminine singular40N-ASF
- noun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singular3N-GSF
- noun · accusative (object) · feminine plural2N-APF
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine plural2N-DPF
- noun · nominative (subject) · feminine singular2N-NSF
Matthew
six uses
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Mark
four uses
On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Luke
seven uses
Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
But the crowds found out and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who needed healing.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- χρείαchreianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: necessary
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
“The Lord needs it,” they answered.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
John
four uses
He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Acts
five uses
Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them
- χρείαςchreiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: task
You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
- χρείαιςchreiaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: needs
The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
- χρείας.¶chreiasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: needs
Romans
one use
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- χρείαιςchreiaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: needs
1 Corinthians
three uses
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: Need
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: Need
whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Ephesians
two uses
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
- χρείαςchreiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: need
Philippians
three uses
But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
- χρείαςchreiasnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: need
For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: needs
And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: needs
1 Thessalonians
four uses
For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Titus
one use
And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
- χρείαςchreiasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: needs
Hebrews
four uses
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need of
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
- χρείαchreianoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: need
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
1 John
two uses
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Revelation
three uses
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
- χρείανchreiannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: need
Where it leads
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.