εὐκαιρέω (eukaireō)
eukaireō
to have opportunity
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb eukaireō describes having a favorable opportunity or sufficient leisure to do something. It combines eu ("good") and kairos ("right time"), pointing to a moment that is not just available, but suitable for action. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, highlighting specific moments where disciples or listeners choose to engage with the message.
In Mark 6:31, Jesus invites his exhausted followers to "come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while," using this word to frame their break as a necessary, timely pause rather than mere idleness. Paul later urges Timothy to "make every effort to come to me before winter" (1 Corinthians 16:12), implying that the coming season offers a better window for travel and fellowship. Finally, Acts 17:21 notes that Athenians spent their time "only in telling or hearing something new," suggesting they devoted their leisure to intellectual curiosity.
This word distinguishes between mere availability and strategic timing. It is not about having free hours in general, but recognizing a specific opening for spiritual or relational priority. Translators often render it as "have opportunity" or "make every effort," capturing the active recognition of a divinely timed chance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eukaireō reminds us that time is not just a resource to be managed, but a gift to be recognized. It combines the ideas of 'good' and 'right time,' suggesting that some moments are specially suited for rest or connection. When Jesus invited his disciples to rest in Mark 6:31, He was not encouraging laziness, but highlighting a necessary pause. This teaches us that stepping away from busyness can be an act of faith, trusting that God provides the right season for renewal.
In our daily lives, we often confuse mere availability with true opportunity. This word invites us to look for those specific openings where we can engage deeply with others or ourselves. Whether it is a quiet moment for prayer or a chance to encourage a friend, these are not accidents. They are kairos moments—timely chances to align our hearts with God’s pace rather than the world’s rush.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were they able.1×
- were spending their time1×
- he may have opportunity.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ηὐκαίρουν1×
- εὐκαίρουν.¶1×
- εὐκαιρήσῃ.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 6:31
He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Jesus uses this concept to frame rest as a timely necessity for exhausted followers, not just idle time.
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Acts 17:21
Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
The Athenians are described as having leisure specifically devoted to intellectual curiosity, showing how opportunity can be misdirected.
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I Corinthians 16:12
Now concerning Apollos the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
Paul notes that Apollos will visit when the timing is right, illustrating patience in waiting for the proper season for fellowship.