εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō)
eucharisteō
to thank
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 37 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb eucharisteō means to express gratitude or give thanks, capturing a sense of acknowledging a kindness received. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in Paul’s letters and the Gospels, often describing the attitude believers should maintain toward God (1 Thessalonians 5:18) or the specific act of blessing food before eating (Matthew 15:36; John 6:11).
Its etymology reveals a shift from classical usage. In earlier Greek, it meant to do a good turn or oblige someone, but by the time of the New Testament, it had settled into the standard sense of returning thanks for a favor. This linguistic evolution highlights how early Christians adopted common language to describe their relationship with God, treating divine provision as a gift worthy of explicit acknowledgment.
Translators typically render this word as "give thanks" or "thank," though the Greek carries a weightier sense than casual politeness. It is often paired with specific prepositions that clarify the object of gratitude, such as giving thanks to God (Luke 17:16) or through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). The word underscores a posture of recognition, where the believer actively names the source of their blessings rather than assuming them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eucharisteō invites us to look closely at who provides for our needs. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this action before feeding thousands or sharing the Last Supper. It is not a polite ritual but a clear acknowledgment that every good gift comes from God. When we give thanks, we admit that we are receivers of grace rather than self-sufficient providers.
This posture shapes our daily lives by shifting focus from what we lack to who sustains us. Paul often thanked God for the faith of believers, highlighting how gratitude strengthens community bonds. Even in difficult times, naming God as the source of hope keeps our hearts grounded in trust rather than fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having given thanks9×
- I thank8×
- giving thanks5×
- We give thanks3×
- he gives thanks2×
- when was giving thanks1×
- were thankful,1×
- to give thanks1×
- thanks may be given1×
- thank1×
- he gave thanks1×
- give thanks?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐχαριστήσας9×
- εὐχαριστῶ5×
- Εὐχαριστῶ4×
- εὐχαριστοῦντες3×
- εὐχαριστῶν2×
- εὐχαριστεῖ2×
- Εὐχαριστοῦμεν2×
- ηὐχαρίστησαν,1×
- εὐχαρίστησεν1×
- εὐχαριστῶ;1×
- εὐχαριστήσαντος1×
- εὐχαριστοῦμέν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 22:19
He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”
Jesus links giving thanks directly to the institution of the Lord's Supper, showing gratitude as central to remembering his sacrifice.
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Romans 1:21
Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
Paul identifies the failure to give thanks as the root of human darkness, contrasting it with knowing God.
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I Corinthians 10:30
If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for?
This verse connects thankfulness to ethical living, suggesting that gratitude justifies our participation in communal meals.
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John 11:41
So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me.
Jesus thanks the Father immediately before raising Lazarus, demonstrating that gratitude and faith work together in moments of power.