χρή (chrē)
chrē
to ought/need
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The impersonal verb chrē conveys a sense of necessity, meaning "it is necessary" or "it ought to be." In the New Testament, it appears only once, in James 3:10, where it underscores the moral requirement that speech should not come from two different mouths. This usage highlights an objective standard of propriety rather than personal preference.
Its form derives from roots associated with need or use, functioning similarly to the more common dei, though chrē often carries a nuance of what is fitting or proper in a given situation. By appearing in such a specific context regarding the tongue, the word emphasizes that certain behaviors are not merely optional but fundamentally required by the nature of wisdom and righteousness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chrē carries a weight of necessity, pointing to what is fitting or proper rather than merely optional. In James 3:10, it underscores that our speech should not be split between blessing and cursing. This is not just a suggestion for polite conversation but a fundamental requirement for those seeking wisdom.
When we face moments where our words might slip into criticism or harshness, this term reminds us of the standard God sets for His people. It invites us to align our tongues with the grace we have received. Such alignment brings peace to our relationships and reflects the character of Christ in our daily interactions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ought,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χρή,1×
Key Verses
-
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
This is the only New Testament occurrence, using chrē to declare that mixed speech is fundamentally improper for a wise believer.