ἐπιβαρέω (epibareō)
epibareō
to burden
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epibareō means to place a heavy load on someone or to be burdensome in one’s presence. Derived from a prefix meaning "upon" and a root related to weight, it describes the physical act of loading cargo as well as the social experience of being an undue pressure on others.
In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, always with a negative connotation regarding ministry conduct. Paul uses it to describe his refusal to impose financial demands on the believers. In 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:8, he emphasizes that he worked tirelessly so as not to be a burden to them. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 2:6, he notes that the punishment inflicted by the majority was sufficient, implying that further pressure would be an unnecessary weight on the repentant individual.
Translators typically render this term as "burden" or "trouble," capturing the sense of oppressive weight. The usage highlights a pastoral ethic where leaders strive to support their communities rather than drain them through demands or excessive expectations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epibareō describes the heavy weight of being a burden to others. In the New Testament, Paul uses it to explain his choice to work tirelessly rather than ask for financial support from new believers. This was not just about money; it was a way to show that his care for them was genuine and free from selfish motives.
For your own life, this offers a gentle reminder about how we relate to those we serve or love. It invites us to consider whether our presence brings ease or pressure. True ministry and friendship often look like carrying others’ loads without adding our own weight to their shoulders.
When you feel overwhelmed by the expectations of others, remember that Paul’s example was one of humble service. You are encouraged to seek relationships where mutual support replaces heavy demands, allowing grace to flow freely between everyone involved.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to burden1×
- to be burdensome to1×
- I may burden1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιβαρῆσαί2×
- ἐπιβαρῶ,1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 2:9
For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.
Paul explicitly links his night-and-day labor to the specific goal of not burdening the Thessalonian believers, showing that his work ethic was driven by a desire to protect their spiritual and financial well-being.
-
II Thessalonians 3:8
neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.
This verse reinforces the previous one by highlighting Paul’s refusal to eat without paying, demonstrating a consistent pattern of self-sufficiency to avoid becoming a financial liability to the church.
-
II Corinthians 2:5
But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.
Here Paul uses the word in a parenthetical aside to caution against pressing too heavily on the congregation, illustrating that even well-intentioned correction can become an oppressive weight if not handled with care.