What does ποτίζω (potízō) mean in the Bible?
Ποτίζω means to give drink, cause to drink, or water. Paul uses the verb literally and metaphorically across sharply different settings.
Greek · G4222
ποτίζω
To furnish drink, irrigate
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ποτίζω G4222
Pronunciation potízō
What does ποτίζω (potízō) mean in the Bible?
Ποτίζω means to give drink, cause to drink, or water. Paul uses the verb literally and metaphorically across sharply different settings.
Reader summary
Full entry for ποτίζω (G4222) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G4222?
The BSB source-word alignment has 15 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and held it up for [Jesus] to drink (2), gives (2), waters (2), drink (1), give [You] something to drink (1).
Where does ποτίζω (potízō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 10:42. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Corinthians (5), Matthew (5), Mark (2), Luke (1).
What This Word Actually Means
Ποτίζω means to give drink, cause to drink, or water. Paul uses the verb literally and metaphorically across sharply different settings. Romans 12 commands believers to give an enemy food and drink rather than avenge themselves. First Corinthians 3 uses milk-giving for elementary instruction suited to an immature church, though the deeper problem is their jealousy and division.
First Corinthians 12 says all believers were made to drink of one Spirit as part of their incorporation into one body. The verb itself does not prove a sacramental mechanism or a fixed curriculum of “milk” and “solid food. ” It depicts provision and reception, with the context identifying water, nourishment, teaching, kindness, or shared life from the Spirit.
How the Bible Uses It
Paul uses ποτίζω for giving drink, supplying fitting nourishment, and sharing in the one Spirit. The concrete image serves enemy-love, pastoral instruction, and the unity of Christ's body.
- 1Cor.12.13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
Being given one Spirit to drink underscores the common divine life of Jews and Greeks, slaves and free, within the one body.
- Rom.12.20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Giving an enemy drink replaces vengeance with active good while leaving final judgment to God.
- 1Cor.3.2
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,
Paul's milk image describes instruction suited to immaturity, while jealousy and faction reveal why the Corinthians remain unready.
Book contextPassage context
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It and held it up for [Jesus] to drink 2× Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:36
gives 2× Matthew 10:42, Mark 9:41
waters 2× 1 Corinthians 3:7, 1 Corinthians 3:8
drink 1× Revelation 14:8
give [You] something to drink 1× Matthew 25:37
give him a drink 1× Romans 12:20
I gave you 1× 1 Corinthians 3:2
to water 1× Luke 13:15
watered [it] 1× 1 Corinthians 3:6
we were all given 1× 1 Corinthians 12:13
you gave Me [something] to drink 1× Matthew 25:35
you gave Me nothing to drink 1× Matthew 25:42
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 10:42 ποτίσῃ to gives Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 25:35 ἐποτίσατέ to you gave Me [something] to drink Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Matthew 25:37 ἐποτίσαμεν to give [You] something to drink Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Matthew 25:42 ἐποτίσατέ to you gave Me nothing to drink Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Matthew 27:48 ἐπότιζεν to and held it up for [Jesus] to drink Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Mark 9:41 ποτίσῃ to gives Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Mark 15:36 ἐπότιζεν to and held it up for [Jesus] to drink Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Luke 13:15 ποτίζει to to water Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Romans 12:20 πότιζε to give him a drink Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular 1 Corinthians 3:2 ἐπότισα to I gave you Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 10:42
Aligned rows 15
Books represented 6
Matthew 5 Mark 2 Luke 1 Romans 1 1 Corinthians 5 Revelation 1
Source forms
ἐπότιζεν 2x epotizen Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:36
ἐποτίσατέ 2x epotisate Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:42
ποτίζων 2x potizōn 1 Corinthians 3:7, 1 Corinthians 3:8
ποτίσῃ 2x potisē Matthew 10:42, Mark 9:41
ἐπότισα 1x epotisa 1 Corinthians 3:2
ἐποτίσαμεν 1x epotisamen Matthew 25:37
ἐπότισεν 1x epotisen 1 Corinthians 3:6
ἐποτίσθημεν 1x epotisthēmen 1 Corinthians 12:13
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural 2x Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:42
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular 2x Matthew 10:42, Mark 9:41
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 2x Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:36
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular 2x 1 Corinthians 3:7, 1 Corinthians 3:8
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural 1x Matthew 25:37
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular 1x 1 Corinthians 3:2
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 1x 1 Corinthians 3:6
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural 1x 1 Corinthians 12:13
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Keep literal acts of care and metaphorical uses distinct before drawing a canonical connection among them.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that every use of ποτίζω refers directly to baptism, the Lord's Supper, or a particular sacramental mechanism.
- Do not use the milk image to shame new believers or advertise speculative teaching as superior spiritual food.
Evidence Summary
Greek word. To provide drink or water; figuratively, spiritual nourishment or the Spirit's empowering influence.
Strong's G4222
Lexical occurrences 15 verses Greek text appearances 15 times Word forms 4 forms 15 references Verse guides 0 guides
Study link 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Source Gloss
to furnish drink, irrigate
Extended definition Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
To provide drink or water; figuratively, spiritual nourishment or the Spirit's empowering influence.
(πότος), [in LXX chiefly for שָׁקָה hi. ;] to give to drink: with accusative of person(s), Mat.25:35, 37 25:42 27:48, Mrk.15:36, Luk.13:15, Rom.12:20; with dupl. accusative, Mat.10:42, Mrk.9:41; fig., γάλα, 1Co.3:2; ἐκ τ. οἴνου Rev.14:8; of plants, to water (Xen., Strab., al.; Gen.13:10), figuratively, 1Co.3:6-8 Metaphorical (cf. Isa.29:10 Sir.15:3), of the Spirit, 1Co.12:13.
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
15 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Matthew 10:42 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Subjunctive
ποτίσῃ potish
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Matthew 25:35 Verb Second Person Plural Aorist Active Indicative
ἐποτίσατέ epotisate
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Matthew 25:37 Verb First Person Plural Aorist Active Indicative
ἐποτίσαμεν; epotisamen
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Matthew 25:42 Verb Second Person Plural Aorist Active Indicative
ἐποτίσατέ epotisate
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Matthew 27:48 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἐπότιζεν epotizen
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Mark 9:41 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Subjunctive
ποτίσῃ potish
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Mark 15:36 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἐπότιζεν epotizen
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Luke 13:15 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
ποτίζει; potizei
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Romans 12:20 Verb Second Person Singular Present Active Imperative
πότιζε potize
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse 1 Corinthians 3:2 Verb First Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐπότισα, epotisa
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse 1 Corinthians 3:6 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐπότισεν, epotisen
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse 1 Corinthians 3:7 Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
ποτίζων, potizwn
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse 1 Corinthians 3:8 Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
ποτίζων potizwn
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse 1 Corinthians 12:13 Verb First Person Plural Aorist Passive Indicative
ἐποτίσθημεν. epotisqhmen
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verse Revelation 14:8 Verb Third Person Singular Perfect Active Indicative
πεπότικε pepotiken
I cause to drink, give to drink
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 4 Aligned forms 15 Tenses Aorist, Imperfect, Present, Perfect Voices Active, Passive
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Tenses
Voices
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 2×
Aorist Active Matt 10:42 · Mark 9:41 2×
Indicative states a fact or reality 10×
Aorist Active Matt 25:35 · Matt 25:42 · Matt 25:37 · 1 Cor 3:2 · 1 Cor 3:6 5×
Imperfect Active Matt 27:48 · Mark 15:36 2×
Present Active Luke 13:15 1×
Aorist Passive 1 Cor 12:13 1×
Perfect Active Rev 14:8 1×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 2×
Present Active 1 Cor 3:7 · 1 Cor 3:8 2×
Imperative command or strong request 1×
Present Active Rom 12:20 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 15 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist 8 present 4 imperfect 2 perfect 1
Voice
active 14 passive 1
Mood
indicative 10 participle 2 subjunctive 2 imperative 1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 10:42 ποτίσῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Matthew 25:35 ἐποτίσατέ aorist active indicative completed Matthew 25:37 ἐποτίσαμεν aorist active indicative completed Matthew 25:42 ἐποτίσατέ aorist active indicative completed Matthew 27:48 ἐπότιζεν imperfect active indicative background Mark 9:41 ποτίσῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Mark 15:36 ἐπότιζεν imperfect active indicative background Luke 13:15 ποτίζει present active indicative ongoing Romans 12:20 πότιζε present active imperative imperative 1 Corinthians 3:2 ἐπότισα aorist active indicative completed 1 Corinthians 3:6 ἐπότισεν aorist active indicative completed 1 Corinthians 3:7 ποτίζων present active participle participle 1 Corinthians 3:8 ποτίζων present active participle participle 1 Corinthians 12:13 ἐποτίσθημεν aorist passive indicative completed Revelation 14:8 πεπότικεν perfect active indicative resultant
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Figurative use of watering plants, applied to spiritual nurture and growth
Metaphorical use of the Spirit providing spiritual sustenance to believers
Literal sense of providing water to those in need as act of mercy
Literal provision of drink as concrete expression of hospitality and care
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 15 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
ποτίζω is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
A simple act of giving drink can carry substantial pastoral weight. Romans 12 makes it an expression of enemy-love that refuses private vengeance and overcomes evil with good. First Corinthians 3 turns nourishment into a ministry question: Paul gives instruction suited to the hearers, but their jealousy and party spirit show that immaturity is moral as well as intellectual.
First Corinthians 12 uses drinking to speak of the shared gift of the Spirit within one body, cutting across ethnic and social status. These images should illuminate one another without being collapsed. The church is sustained by God's Spirit, taught with wise patience, and sent into concrete mercy. Teachers should not despise elementary instruction, manipulate hearers through claims of superior “solid food,” or spiritualize care until the thirsty enemy receives nothing.
God-given life produces embodied provision and communal unity.
Anchor passage
1Cor.12.13
Doctrinal connections
- Romans 12:17-21, enemy-love and overcoming evil with good
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:9, spiritual maturity, nourishment, and growth from God
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, one Spirit and one body
- Exodus 17:1-7, God providing water in the wilderness
- Isaiah 55:1-3, God's free invitation to life-giving provision
- John 7:37-39, living water and the gift of the Spirit
Ποτίζω is the causative counterpart to drinking: it means to give someone or something drink, water, or cause to drink. The object may be a person, plant, or metaphorical recipient. Context supplies the substance and theological significance.
From Old to New Testament
The Lord gives water in the wilderness and promises life-giving waters to the thirsty. Jesus announces the Spirit as living water. Paul applies provision language to mercy, teaching, and the Spirit's shared life in Christ's body.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain