Word study
Opportunity
11 Greek words behind this English word
The original-language words that the Berean Standard Bible translates with one of these: opportunity, opportunities. English often uses one word where Hebrew or Greek has several, each with its own shade of meaning. Under each word are verses where it is translated this way; choose the word itself for its full study: every verse, how else it is translated, the forms it takes and what the dictionaries say.
At a glance
How often each original word is translated “opportunity” or one of its forms.
Compare the Greek words side by side
Greek words (New Testament)
- ἀφορμή aphormḗan occasion, opportunitytranslated this way 4 times of its 6 uses · Strong’s G874Noun · Translated: opportunity 4, occasion 2Full study and all 6 verses →
Romans 7:8 But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
2 Corinthians 11:12 But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
- εὐκαιρία eukairíaa convenient time, opportunitytranslated this way 2 times of its 2 uses · Strong’s G2120Noun · Translated: opportunity 2Full study and all 2 verses →
Matthew 26:16 So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Luke 22:6 Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.
- τόπος tóposa placetranslated this way 2 times of its 87 uses · Strong’s G5117Noun · Translated: place 64, places 6, room 3, everywhere 3Full study and all 83 verses →
Acts 25:16 I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
Romans 15:23 But now that there are no further opportunities for me in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to visit you,
- καιρός kairósfitting season, opportunity, timetranslated this way 2 times of its 82 uses · Strong’s G2540Noun · Translated: time 44, times 9, appointed time 4, harvest time 4Full study and all 77 verses →
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
Hebrews 11:15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
- εὔκαιρος eúkairostimely, suitabletranslated this way 1 time of its 2 uses · Strong’s G2121Adjective · Translated: opportunity 1, in 1Full study and all 2 verses →
Mark 6:21 On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
- εὐκαίρως eukaírōsin season, convenientlytranslated this way 1 time of its 2 uses · Strong’s G2122Adverb · Translated: opportunity 1, season 1Full study and all 2 verses →
Mark 14:11 They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
- ἀποβαίνω apobaínōI go or come out of, disembark, resulttranslated this way 1 time of its 4 uses · Strong’s G576Verb · Translated: left 1, opportunity 1, landed 1, turn 1Full study and all 4 verses →
Luke 21:13 This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses.
- πρόθεσις próthesisthe show-bread, predeterminationtranslated this way 1 time of its 9 uses · Strong’s G4286Noun · Translated: purpose 4, plan 2, all their 1, opportunity 1Full study and all 9 verses →
Acts 27:13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete.
- χράομαι chráomaiI use, make use of, deal withtranslated this way 1 time of its 11 uses · Strong’s G5530Verb · Translated: used 2, use 2Full study and all 11 verses →
1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you— but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.
- εὐκαιρέω eukairéōI have a good opportunity, have leisuretranslated this way 1 time of its 3 uses · Strong’s G2119Verb · Translated: even have time 1, spent their time 1, opportunity 1Full study and all 3 verses →
1 Corinthians 16:12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
- ἀκαιρέομαι akairéomaiI am without a suitable opportunitytranslated this way 1 time of its 1 use · Strong’s G170Verb · Translated: opportunity 1Full study and its 1 verse →
Philippians 4:10 Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
How to study a word well
- Start from the verse, not the dictionary. Find which Hebrew or Greek word stands in the verse you are studying. One English word often translates several different original words.
- Read every place the word is used. A word means what its writers used it to mean. The list of verses and the count by book show its range, and who uses it most.
- Look at how it is translated. A word rendered five different ways has a wider meaning than any one English word can carry.
- Notice the form. A command is not a statement, and a passive verb is something done to the subject. The form in your verse is part of the meaning.
- See what it keeps company with. The words that appear beside it again and again show how the Bible itself connects ideas.
- Then read the dictionaries. They give the considered view of scholars, with their evidence.
- Come back to the verse. Context decides. A word does not carry every one of its meanings into every verse, and where a word came from does not settle what it means in a sentence written centuries later.
What the Bible says about opportunity: passages by topic →
Scripture text and translation counts: Berean Standard Bible. Short definition: Dodson Greek Lexicon (2010, public domain). Full entry: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922, public domain). Strong’s Greek Dictionary (1890) in the edition by Ulrik Sandborg-Petersen (CC0). These are historical reference works; an entry gives its authors’ view, and a word’s meaning in any verse depends on how it is used there.