"to spare; to be tender of, Rom. 8:32; to spare, in respect of hard dealing, Acts 20:29; Rom. 11:21; 1 Cor. 7:28; 2 Cor. 1:23; 13:2; 2 Pet. 2:4, 5; absol. to forbear, abstain, 2 Cor. 12:6*"
Definition and meaning
to spare; to be tender of, Rom. 8:32; to spare, in respect of hard dealing, Acts 20:29; Rom. 11:21; 1 Cor. 7:28; 2 Cor. 1:23; 13:2; 2 Pet. 2:4, 5; absol. to forbear, abstain, 2 Cor. 12:6*
In the original Greek the word is written: φείδομαι
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 pheidomai (G5339) across the King James Bible.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
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Common questions
Strong's G5339 (pheidomai) is a Greek word that means: to spare; to be tender of, Rom. 8:32; to spare, in respect of hard dealing, Acts 20:29; Rom. 11:21; 1 Cor. 7:28; 2 Cor. 1:23; 13:2; 2 Pet. 2:4, 5; absol. to forbear, abstain, 2 Cor. 12:6* It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word pheidomai (G5339) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5339 is pheidomai, a Greek word defined as: to spare; to be tender of, Rom. 8:32; to spare, in respect of hard dealing, Acts 20:29; Rom. 11:21; 1 Cor. 7:28; 2 Cor. 1:23; 13:2; 2 Pet. 2:4, 5; abs. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pheidomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.