Greek · G1432

δωρεάν

Gratuitously (literally or figuratively)

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δωρεάν G1432
Pronunciation dōreán

What does δωρεάν (dōreán) mean in the Bible?

Δωρεάν functions adverbially and has two context-governed ranges: freely or without payment, and without cause or to no purpose. In Romans 3:24, the first range qualifies God's act of justifying, which the sentence locates in grace and Christ's redemption.

Reader summary

Full entry for δωρεάν (G1432) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does δωρεάν (dōreán) mean in the Bible?

Δωρεάν functions adverbially and has two context-governed ranges: freely or without payment, and without cause or to no purpose. In Romans 3:24, the first range qualifies God's act of justifying, which the sentence locates in grace and Christ's redemption.

How does the BSB render G1432?

The BSB source-word alignment has 9 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Freely (5), for nothing (1), free of charge (1), without paying for it (1), without reason (1).

Where does δωρεάν (dōreán) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 10:8. Its strongest book concentrations include Matthew (2), Revelation (2), 2 Corinthians (1), 2 Thessalonians (1).

What This Word Actually Means

Δωρεάν functions adverbially and has two context-governed ranges: freely or without payment, and without cause or to no purpose. In Romans 3:24, the first range qualifies God's act of justifying, which the sentence locates in grace and Christ's redemption. Matthew 10:8 uses the same range twice within Jesus' commission: the disciples received freely and are to give freely.

John 15:25 uses the second range for hatred directed at Jesus without cause, while Galatians 2:21 says that if righteousness were through law, Christ died to no purpose. Revelation 21:6 and 22:17 use the gift range for the water of life. The adverb clarifies how an action is given or regarded in each sentence; it does not, by itself, settle every question about ministry support, the order of salvation, or the full theology of the cross.

Sources