προσδέω (prosdeō)
prosdeō
to need
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb prosdeō carries a specific sense of lacking something extra or supplementary. It does not describe a basic survival need, but rather a desire for what is additional or superfluous. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 17:25, where it defines the nature of God’s relationship to human provision.
Paul uses this term to explain that God does not require anything from people. The text states that the Creator is not prosdeōs (needing) service or offerings. This usage highlights a theological boundary: while humans often feel a constant need for more resources, status, or divine attention, God remains entirely self-sufficient and lacks nothing.
The word combines a prefix implying "toward" or "besides" with the root for wanting. This structure reinforces the idea of an added requirement that is absent in the divine context. Translators typically render this as "need" or "have need of," capturing the simple fact that no further addition is necessary for God’s perfection.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
It is easy to feel that we are never quite enough, or that we must constantly acquire more to be secure. We often measure our worth by what we can provide or possess. The word prosdeō, found in Acts 17:25, offers a gentle correction to this anxiety. It describes a need for something extra or supplementary, rather than a basic requirement for survival.
Paul uses this specific term to describe God’s relationship with us. He tells the Athenians that the Creator does not prosdeō—He does not need anything from human hands. This is not because God is distant, but because He is fully self-sufficient. He gives life and breath to everyone.
This truth brings deep relief. If God lacks nothing, you do not have to earn His care or fill a void in Him. Your value is not tied to your productivity or possessions. Instead, you are invited to rest in the One who already has everything and freely shares it with you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- as needing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσδεόμενός1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:25
He isn’t served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath and all things.
Paul uses this rare term to clarify that God’s self-sufficiency means He requires no human service or offerings.