Bible Dictionaries
Help, Holpen

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

properly signifies "a laying hold of, an exchange" (anti, "in exchange," or, in its local sense, "in front," and lambano, "to take, lay hold of," so as to support); then, "a help" (akin to B, No. 1); it is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28 , as one of the ministrations in the local church, by way of rendering assistance, perhaps especially of "help" ministered to the weak and needy. So Theophylact defines the injunction in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 , "support the weak;" cp. Acts 20:35; not official functionaries are in view in the term "helps," but rather the functioning of those who, like the household of Stephanas, devote themselves to minister to the saints. Hort defines the ministration as "anything that would be done for poor or weak or outcast brethren."

from boe, "a shout," and theo, "to run," denotes "help, succour," Hebrews 4:16 , lit., "(grace) unto (timely) help;" in Acts 27:17 , where the plural is used, the term is nautical, "frapping."

strictly denotes such aid as is rendered by an epikouros, "an ally, an auxiliary;" Paul uses it in his testimony to Agrippa, "having therefore obtained the help that is from God," Acts 26:22 , RV.

lit., "to take instead of, or in turn" (akin to A, No. 1), is used in the Middle Voice, and rendered "He hath holpen" in Luke 1:54; "to help," RV, "to support," AV, in Acts 20:35; its other meaning, to partake of, is used of partaking of things, 1 Timothy 6:2 , "that partake of," for AV, "partakers of." See PARTAKE , SUPPORT.

"to assist, take part with" (sun, "with," and lambano), is used, in the Middle Voice, of rendering help in what others are doing, Luke 5:7 , of bringing in a catch of fish; in Philippians 4:3 , in an appeal to Synzygus ("yokefellow") to help Euodia and Syntyche (ver. 2). See CATCH , CONCEIVE.

signifies "to take hold with at the side for assistance" (sun, "with," and No. 1); hence, "to take a share in, help in bearing, to help in general." It is used, in the Middle Voice, in Martha's request to the Lord to bid her sister help her, Luke 10:40; and of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in helping our infirmities, Romans 8:26 . In the Sept., Exodus 18:22; Numbers 11:17; Psalm 89.21 .

"to come to the aid of anyone, to succour" (akin to A, No. 2), is used in Matthew 15:25; Mark 9:22,24; Acts 16:9; 21:28; 2 Corinthians 6:2 , "did I succour;" Hebrews 2:18 , "to succour;" Revelation 12:16 .

lit., "to throw together" (sun, "with," ballo, "to throw"), is used in the Middle Voice in Acts 18:27 , of helping or benefiting believers by discussion or ministry of the Word of God. See CONFER , ENCOUNTER , MAKE (war), MEET , PONDER.

denotes "to help together, join in helping, to serve with anyone as an underworker" (sun, "with," hupourgeo, "to serve;" hupo, "under," ergon, "work"); it is used in 2 Corinthians 1:11 .

"to help in work, to co-operate, be a co-worker," is rendered "that helpeth with" in 1 Corinthians 16:16 . See WORK.

Note: Paristemi, "to place beside" (para, "by," histemi, "to cause to stand"), "to stand by, be at hand," is used of "standing" up for help," in Romans 16:2 , "that ye assist," and 2 Timothy 4:17 , "stood with." See BRING , COME , COMMEND , GIVE , PRESENT , PROVE , PROVIDE , SHEW , STAND , YIELD.