πορεία (poreia)
poreia
journey
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun poreia simply means a journey or a going. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, yet it carries enough weight to define the context in both instances. The word describes physical movement from one place to another, serving as a straightforward term for travel or progress.
In Luke 13:22, Jesus is described as traveling through cities and villages, teaching on his way. Here, poreia captures the literal act of moving along a path, emphasizing the active nature of his ministry in transit. It is not merely being present, but proceeding forward with purpose.
James uses the term metaphorically in chapter 1, verse 11, to describe the fleeting nature of worldly success. He compares the rich man to grass that withers while he is still "on the move" or in his journey through life. This usage highlights the temporary and unstable character of earthly pursuits, contrasting them with the enduring nature of spiritual truth. The word thus bridges the concrete reality of travel with the abstract concept of life’s transient path.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word poreia simply describes a journey or the act of going from one place to another. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, yet each instance carries significant weight for how we understand our own paths. It is not just about physical movement; it reflects purposeful progress and the transient nature of earthly life.
In Luke 13:22, Jesus is described as traveling through cities and villages, teaching as He moves toward Jerusalem. This shows that ministry and mission often happen in motion, with intention and direction. Similarly, James 1:11 uses the term to illustrate how worldly success fades quickly, like grass withering while a person is still on their journey. It reminds us that our time here is brief.
For your faith, this word invites reflection on where you are heading. Are you moving with purpose toward what lasts? Poreia encourages us to keep walking forward, trusting that our ultimate destination is secure in Christ, even when the road feels uncertain or temporary things fade around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pursuits1×
- progress1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πορείαν1×
- πορείαις1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 13:22
He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem.
This occurrence highlights Jesus' active, purposeful movement through His ministry as He travels toward Jerusalem.
-
James 1:11
For the sun arises with the scorching wind and withers the grass; and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So the rich man will also fade away in his pursuits.
Here the word metaphorically describes the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits, contrasting them with enduring spiritual truth.