φείδομαι (pheidomai)
pheidomai
to spare
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb pheidomai means to hold back from using something fully, often translated as "to spare." In the New Testament, it describes a deliberate restraint where one has the power or right to act but chooses not to. This is seen in Romans 8:32, where God does not spare His own Son, and in Acts 20:29, where false teachers are said to have spared no expense in their pursuit.
Its usage often involves a genitive case indicating the person or thing being spared. In 2 Peter 2:4-5, God is described as not sparing angels who sinned, nor the ancient world of the flood. This highlights a sense of judgment or mercy withheld. The word carries weight in discussions of divine justice and human forbearance.
The term appears nine times, with significant presence in Paul’s letters and Peter’s epistles. It underscores themes of divine restraint and the consequences of unchecked behavior. Translators render it variously as "spare," "forbear," or "hold back," depending on context. Its root meaning remains consistent: a conscious decision to limit one's actions toward another.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pheidomai describes a deliberate choice to hold back from using one's full power or right. In human relationships, this often looks like restraint—choosing not to punish when we could, or sparing someone’s feelings even when we have the authority to speak harshly. It is an act of mercy that acknowledges the other person’s dignity while exercising self-control.
On a deeper level, this word reveals the heart of God. Romans 8:32 reminds us that He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for all of us. This shows that divine love does not withhold what is necessary for our good. When we face difficult seasons, we can trust that God’s actions are never arbitrary but rooted in a purposeful desire to bring us into His grace.
Understanding this concept helps us navigate our own interactions. It invites us to consider where we might be holding back out of fear or pride, and where we might be called to extend the same gracious restraint that God has shown us. This perspective shifts our focus from what we deserve to what love requires.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- spared,3×
- sparing2×
- will He spare.1×
- am sparing.1×
- I will spare [anyone].1×
- I refrain1×
- He spared,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐφείσατο,4×
- φείσομαι.1×
- φείσεται.¶1×
- φείδομαι.¶1×
- φείδομαι1×
- φειδόμενος1×
- φειδόμενοι1×
Key Verses
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Romans 8:32
He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
This verse highlights the ultimate expression of divine love, where God’s refusal to spare His Son demonstrates His commitment to give us everything necessary for salvation.
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Acts 20:29
For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Paul uses this word to warn that false teachers will exploit believers without restraint, contrasting their greed with the shepherd’s duty to protect the flock.
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II Corinthians 1:23
But I call God for a witness to my soul, that to spare you, I didn’t come to Corinth.
Paul explains his delayed visit was an act of pheidomai, showing how he prioritized the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church over his own plans.
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II Peter 2:4
For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for judgment;
This occurrence emphasizes God’s justice, noting that He did not hold back judgment even from powerful angels who sinned, establishing a standard of accountability.