"necessary, indispensable, 1 Cor. 12:22; necessary, needful, right, proper, Acts 13:46; 2 Cor. 9:5; Phil. 1:24; 2:25; Heb. 8:3; near, intimate, closely connected, as friends, Acts 10:24"
Definition and meaning
necessary, indispensable, 1 Cor. 12:22; necessary, needful, right, proper, Acts 13:46; 2 Cor. 9:5; Phil. 1:24; 2:25; Heb. 8:3; near, intimate, closely connected, as friends, Acts 10:24
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀναγκαῖος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of anankaios (G316) across the King James Bible.
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
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Common questions
Strong's G316 (anankaios) is a Greek word that means: necessary, indispensable, 1 Cor. 12:22; necessary, needful, right, proper, Acts 13:46; 2 Cor. 9:5; Phil. 1:24; 2:25; Heb. 8:3; near, intimate, closely connected, as friends, Acts 10:24 It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word anankaios (G316) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G316 is anankaios, a Greek word defined as: necessary, indispensable, 1 Cor. 12:22; necessary, needful, right, proper, Acts 13:46; 2 Cor. 9:5; Phil. 1:24; 2:25; Heb. 8:3; near, intimate, closely. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
anankaios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.