noun · feminine
chreias
Greekχρεία (chreia)
Strong’sG5532
need, necessity, business
stem chrei-49 times in the New Testamentin 14 of 27 books5 of 10 forms occur
Translated as
What it means
χρεία, -ας, ἡ
[in LXX: II Ch 2:16 (15) (צֹרֶךְ), II Es 7:20 (חַשְׁחוּת) freq. in Si, I-II Mac;]
G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.
Strong’s G5532 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from
Saidkhri'-ah
employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
Fromfrom the base of G5530 or G5534;
King Jamesbusiness, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want.
James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.
Every form
| Job in the sentence case | one singular | more than one plural |
|---|---|---|
| subject nominative | chreias2×χρεία | chreiais |
| object accusative | chreian40×χρείαν | chreiain2×χρείας |
| direct address vocative | chreiar | chreiair |
| of, belonging to genitive | chreiau3×χρείας | chreiaiu |
| to, for dative | chreia | chreiai2×χρείαις |
Tinted cells are forms the New Testament never uses, so there is no Greek to show against them — but they are still correct Biblang, built from the slots below like any other.
Why these forms, and no others — the slots that make them
chreia is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.
same in every form varies — every value shown
Where it appears
49 occurrences, every one of them listed
chreias“need”subjectnominative singular2×
Luke 10:42“necessary”oligeu de atō chreias ē heneu; Mariam gar tan agathan merian eklegeta hotinas ouk afairiti autau.But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Hebrews 7:11“need”Ei men oun teleiōsias dia tau Levitikau hierōsunau ate, tos laos gar epi autau nomothetitē, tinas ēti chreias kata tan taxian Melchisedek heteron anistanerō hierevon kai ouk kata tan taxian Aarōn legirō?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?
chreian“need”objectaccusative singular40×
Matthew 3:14“need”tos de Iōannos diakōluate auton legarōtos; Mis chreian echamō hupo su baptizira, kai sis erchesō pros min?But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Matthew 6:8“need”mē oun homoiiveia autoi, oidatē gar tos patēros vu heiu chreian echavō pro teu vin aitara auton.Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 9:12“need”tos de akouaratos legata; Ouk chreian echalō tois ischuarōtois iatrou alla tois kakōs echarōtois.On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
Matthew 14:16“need”tos de Iēsus legata autoi; Ouk chreian echalō aperchara; dōavar autoi vis esthiara.“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”
Matthew 21:3“need”kai ean tinos vi legateia tinem, legavi hoti Tos kurios autoiu chreian echatō; euthuos de apostelati autoin.If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Matthew 26:65“need”tote tos archierevos diarrēgnuata teim himatieim autou legarōtos; Blasfēmata; tinem ēti chreian echanō marturoiu? ide nun akouava tan blasfēmian;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.
Mark 2:17“need”kai akouaratos tos Iēsus legatō autoi hoti Ouk chreian echalō tois ischuarōtois iatrou alla tois kakōs echarōtois; ouk erchama kalara dikaioin alla hamartōloin.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.”
Mark 2:25“need”kai legatō autoi; Oudepote anaginōskava tinem poiata David hote chreian echata kai peinata autos kai tois meta autou?Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
Mark 11:3“need”kai ean tinos vi legateia; Tinem poiavō houtem? legavar hoti Tos kurios autou chreian echatō; kai euthuos auton apostelatō palin hōde.If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”
Mark 14:63“need”tos de archierevos diarrēgnuaratos toin chitōnoin autou legatō; Tinem ēti chreian echanō marturoiu?At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
Luke 5:31“need”kai apokriniratos tos Iēsus legata pros autoin; Ouk chreian echalō tois hugiainarōtois iatrou alla tois kakōs echarōtois;Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
Luke 9:11“need”tois de ochlois gnōskaratois akolouthala auto. kai apodecheratos autoin lalate autoi peri tau basileiau tou theou, kai toin chreian echarōtoin therapeiau iete.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.
Luke 15:7“need”legamō vi hoti houtōs charas en to ourano eti epi heno hamartōlo metanoarōto ē epi enenēkonta ennea dikaioi hotinois ouk chreian echalō metanoiau.I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Luke 19:31“need”kai ean tinos vin erōtateiō; Dia tinem luavō? houtōs legavi hoti Tos kurios autou chreian echatō.If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Luke 19:34“need”tois de legala hoti Tos kurios autou chreian echatō.“The Lord needs it,” they answered.
Luke 22:71“need”tois de legala; Tinem ēti echanō marturiau chreian? autois gar akouana apo teu stomeu autou.“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”
John 2:25“need”kai hoti ouk chreian echate hina tinos marturateia peri tou anthrōpou, autos gar gnōskate tinem ate en to anthrōpo.He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
John 13:10“need”legatō auto tos Iēsus; Tos louerētos ouk echatō chreian ei mē toin podoin niptera, alla atō katharos holos; kai vis katharois avō, alla ouchi pantois.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.”
John 13:29“need”tinois gar dokale, epei tem glōssokomem echate Ioudaos, hoti legatō auto tos Iēsus; Agorazasar heiu chreian echanō eis tan heortan, ē toi ptōchoi hina tinem dōateia.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.
John 16:30“need”nun oidanē hoti oidasē panteim kai ouk chreian echasō hina tinos sin erōtateiō; en houte pisteuanō hoti apo theou exerchasa.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.”
Acts 2:45“need”kai teim ktēmeim kai tain huparxiain pipraskale kai diamerizale auteim pantoi kathoti an tinos chreian echate;Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
Acts 4:35“need”kai tithale para toin podoin toiu apostoloiu; diadōite de hekasto kathoti an tinos chreian echate.and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.
1 Corinthians 12:21“need”ouk dunetō de tos ofthalmos legara ta cheira; Chreian su ouk echamō, ē palin tas kefalas toi podoi; Chreian vu ouk echamō;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.”
1 Corinthians 12:21“need”ouk dunetō de tos ofthalmos legara ta cheira; Chreian su ouk echamō, ē palin tas kefalas toi podoi; Chreian vu ouk echamō;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.”
1 Corinthians 12:24“need”teim de euschēmōneim nu ouk chreian echatō. alla tos theos sunkerannuata tem sōmem, te husterarōte perissoteran dōaratos timan,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,
Ephesians 4:28“need”tos kleptarōtos mēketi kleptatōr, mallon de kopiatōr ergazerōtos tai idiai cheirai tem agathem, hina echateiō metadōarō to chreian echarōto.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.
Philippians 4:16“needs”hoti kai en Thessalonika kai hapax kai dis eis tan chreian mi pempava.For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
Philippians 4:19“need”tos de theos mu plērati pantan chreian vu kata tem ploutem autou en doxa en Christo Iēso.And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 1:8“need”apo vu gar exēchitē tos logos tou kuriou ouk monem en ta Makedonia kai Achaia, alla en panto topo tas pistias vu tas pros ton theon exerchatē, hōste mē chreian echarō nin lalarō tinem;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.
1 Thessalonians 4:9“need”Peri de tau filadelfiau ouk chreian echavō grafarō vi, autois gar vis theodidaktois avō eis tem agaparō allēloin;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.
1 Thessalonians 4:12“need”hina peripataveiō euschēmonōs pros toin exō kai mēdeneu chreian echaveiō.Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:1“need”Peri de toiu chronoiu kai toiu kairoiu, adelfoir, ouk chreian echavō vi grafirō,Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
Hebrews 5:12“need”kai gar ofeilarōtois arō didaskalois dia ton chronon, palin chreian echavō teu didaskarō vin tinon teim stoicheieim tau archau teiu logieiu tou theou, kai ginavē chreian echarōtois galeu, ouk stereau trofēau.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!
Hebrews 5:12“need”kai gar ofeilarōtois arō didaskalois dia ton chronon, palin chreian echavō teu didaskarō vin tinon teim stoicheieim tau archau teiu logieiu tou theou, kai ginavē chreian echarōtois galeu, ouk stereau trofēau.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!
Hebrews 10:36“need”hupomonau gar echavō chreian hina tem thelēmem tou theou poiaratois komizeveia tan epangelian;You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
1 John 2:27“need”kai vis tem chrismem hem lambava apo autou menatō en vi, kai ouk chreian echavō hina tinos didaskateiō vin; alla hōs tem autou chrismem didaskatō vin peri panteiu, kai alēthem atō kai ouk atō pseusem, kai kathōs didaskata vin, menavō en auto.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.
1 John 3:17“need”hos de an echateiō ton bion tou kosmou kai theōrateiō ton adelfon autou chreian echarōton kai kleiateia teim splanchneim autou apo autou, pōs tas agapas tou theou menatō en auto?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?
Revelation 3:17“need”hoti legasō hoti Plousios amō kai ploutamē kai oudenem chreian echamō, kai ouk oidasē hoti sis asō tos talaipōros kai eleeinos kai ptōchos kai tuflos kai gumnos,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.
Revelation 21:23“need”kai tas politas ouk chreian echatō tou hēliou oude tau selēnau, hina fainaleiō auta, tas gar doxas tou theou fōtizata autan, kai tos luchnos autau tem arniem.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.
Revelation 22:5“need”kai nuxas ouk eti ēti, kai ouk echalō chreian fōteu luchnou kai fōtem hēliou, hoti kurios tos theos fōtizati epi autoin, kai basilali eis toin aiōnoin toiu aiōnoiu.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.
chreiau“need”of, belonging togenitive singular3×
Acts 6:3“task”episkeptevar de, adelfoir, anēroin ek vu marturirōtoin hepta plēroin pneumeu kai sofiau, hoin kathistanani epi tau chreiau houtau;Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
Ephesians 4:29“need”pantos logos sapros ek teu stomeu vu mē ekporeuetōr, alla ei tinos agathos pros oikodoman tau chreiau, hina dōateia charian toi akouarōtoi.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.
Philippians 2:25“need”Anankaiem de hēgema Epafroditon ton adelfon kai sunergon kai sustratiōton mu, vu de apostolon kai leitourgon tau chreiau mu, pempara pros vin,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.
chreiain“needs”objectaccusative plural2×
Acts 28:10“needed”hois kai pollai timai timala nin kai anagirōtoi epitithela teim pros tain chreiain.The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
Titus 3:14“needs”mathalōr de kai tois hēmeterois kaleiu ergeiu proistanerō eis tain anankaiain chreiain, hina mē aleiō akarpois.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.
chreiai“needs”to, fordative plural2×
Acts 20:34“needs”autois gnōskavō hoti tai chreiai mu kai toi arōtoi meta mu hupēretala tais cheirais houtais.You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
Romans 12:13“needs”tai chreiai toiu hagioiu koinōnarōtois, tan filoxenian diōkarōtois.Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.