BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Pempō (G3992) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
πέμπω (pempō) is a Greek verb meaning to dispatch or send, used 14 times in the New Testament chiefly of messengers and divine commissioning.
Meaning of the word
πέμπω is defined as to dispatch, especially on a temporary errand. The definition also notes its use for transmitting, bestowing, or wielding something. Its perspective is from the point of departure — the one who sends — rather than the destination.
The form occurs as πέμπω in the provided New Testament verses. In John 14:26 and John 16:7 the future and subjunctive forms πέμψω / πέμψει describe the Father or Jesus sending the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. In John 1:33 and 1:22 the aorist participle πέμψας / πέμψασιν describes the one who sent the baptizer or the questioners.
In Romans 8:3 πέμψας names God as the sender of his own Son. In Philippians 2:19, 23, and 25 πέμψαι expresses Paul’s plan or decision to send Timothy and Epaphroditus. Ephesians 6:21 contains ἔπεμψα, Paul’s statement that he sent Tychicus.
Usage in Scripture
πέμπω appears in two major settings. The first is prophetic and Johannine, where God the Father sends both the Son and the Spirit, as in John 1:33, John 15:21, John 16:5, and Romans 8:3. The second is pastoral, where apostles send trusted coworkers such as Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Tychicus to congregations (Philippians 2:19, 23, 25; Ephesians 6:21).
In John 14:26 and John 16:7 πέμψω and πέμψει frame the sending of the Spirit as a deliberate promise of Jesus. In John 15:26 the Son likewise sends the Spirit from the Father. The verb thus covers both divine commission and practical mission work, without further differentiation in the provided material.
The word in detail
- G3992 πέμπω, dispatched 14 times in the New Testament. Definition: to dispatch, especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield. Forms seen include πέμπω, πέμψω, πέμψει, πέμψαι, πέμψας, πέμψασιν, πέμψαντά, and ἔπεμψα.
Example verses
- John 14:26 πέμψει — the Father will send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, in Jesus' name to teach and remind the disciples.
- John 16:7 πέμψω — Jesus says it is better for the disciples that he goes, so that he will send the Comforter to them.
- Romans 8:3 πέμψας — God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin.
- Philippians 2:25 πέμψαι — Paul counted it necessary to send Epaphroditus back to the Philippians.
Common questions
How many times does πέμπω occur in the New Testament?
According to the provided data, πέμπω occurs 14 times across 14 distinct verses.
What is the basic meaning of πέμπω?
The provided definition states it means to dispatch, especially on a temporary errand, and can also mean to transmit, bestow, or wield.
Does πέμπω describe only people or also the Spirit?
It describes both. In John 14:26 the Father sends the Holy Spirit, and in Romans 8:3 God sends his Son. In Philippians 2:19, 23, 25 Paul sends Timothy and Epaphroditus.