ἐπενδύω (ependuō)
ependuō
be clothed
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ependuō describes the act of putting on a garment over another, or being clothed upon something already worn. Its structure combines a prefix meaning "upon" with a root for "clothing," creating a vivid image of layers. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Second Corinthians 5, where Paul uses this specific terminology to discuss the believer’s spiritual state.
Paul contrasts our current earthly bodies with a future heavenly dwelling. He writes that we groan while "clothed" in our mortal tents, longing further to be "clothed upon" with our heavenly house so that mortality might be swallowed up by life (2 Corinthians 5:2-4). The word suggests not replacing the old self entirely, but covering it with something greater and more permanent. This layered imagery helps explain how Christians understand the continuity between their present physical existence and their future resurrected state.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ependuō paints a picture of layers. It describes putting one garment over another rather than stripping off the old to reveal something entirely new underneath. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul uses this image to explain our hope for the future. He speaks of groaning in our current earthly bodies, which he calls a temporary tent. This is not a rejection of our physical selves but a longing for something greater to cover them.
This layered clothing offers comfort. It suggests that our present struggles and mortality are not the end of the story. Instead, we await a heavenly dwelling that will envelop our current existence. The promise is that life will eventually swallow up death. This hope allows us to face uncertainty with patience, knowing that our true identity is being prepared for us in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to be clothed,1×
- to be clothed with1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπενδύσασθαι,1×
- ἐπενδύσασθαι1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 5:2
For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
Paul expresses the deep longing of believers to be covered by their eternal heavenly home rather than remaining in their current temporary state.
-
II Corinthians 5:4
For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
The verse clarifies that the goal is not to discard our physical bodies but to have them overlaid with immortality so death is absorbed by life.