"to use, make use of, employ, Acts 27:17; 1 Cor. 7:31; to take advantage of, 1 Cor. 7:21; 9:12, 15; to use, to treat, behave towards, Acts 27:3; 2 Cor. 13:10"
Definition and meaning
to use, make use of, employ, Acts 27:17; 1 Cor. 7:31; to take advantage of, 1 Cor. 7:21; 9:12, 15; to use, to treat, behave towards, Acts 27:3; 2 Cor. 13:10
In the original Greek the word is written: χράομαι
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 chraomai (G5530) across the King James Bible.
And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
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Common questions
Strong's G5530 (chraomai) is a Greek word that means: to use, make use of, employ, Acts 27:17; 1 Cor. 7:31; to take advantage of, 1 Cor. 7:21; 9:12, 15; to use, to treat, behave towards, Acts 27:3; 2 Cor. 13:10 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word chraomai (G5530) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5530 is chraomai, a Greek word defined as: to use, make use of, employ, Acts 27:17; 1 Cor. 7:31; to take advantage of, 1 Cor. 7:21; 9:12, 15; to use, to treat, behave towards, Acts 27:3; 2 Cor.. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
chraomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.