What does πράσσω (prássō) mean in the Bible?
πράσσω (prássō) is a New Testament verb for to practice; to do; to carry out. In pastoral use, the word belongs to conduct, repeated action, responsibility, and fruit.
Greek · G4238
πράσσω
To do/require
Reading a lexicon entry
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Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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πράσσω G4238
Pronunciation prássō
What does πράσσω (prássō) mean in the Bible?
πράσσω (prássō) is a New Testament verb for to practice; to do; to carry out. In pastoral use, the word belongs to conduct, repeated action, responsibility, and fruit.
Reader summary
Full entry for πράσσω (G4238) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G4238?
The BSB source-word alignment has 39 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Do (4), done (3), to do (3), had done (2), has done (2).
Where does πράσσω (prássō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Luke 3:13. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (13), Romans (10), Luke (6), 1 Corinthians (2).
What This Word Actually Means
πράσσω (prássō) is a New Testament verb for to practice; to do; to carry out. In pastoral use, the word belongs to conduct, repeated action, responsibility, and fruit. Luke 3:13, Luke 19:23, Luke 22:23 gives the first selected witnesses, with additional passages showing the word in other NT settings. The word is not a shortcut around exegesis, but it gives teachers a concrete doorway into how practice language exposes the shape of a life through repeated deeds and visible conduct.
Its value is strongest when the verse remains in view: speaker, audience, grammar, and argument decide how much weight the word should bear. This companion therefore treats G4238 as a servant of Scripture's own logic. It helps readers name the concept clearly, trace representative witnesses, and avoid using a Strong's number as if it could replace the passage.
Do not make practice language moralism; the passage must define the source, fruit, and direction of conduct.
Editorial synthesis
How the Bible Uses It
To practice; to do; to carry out appears in representative NT contexts including Luke 3:13, Luke 19:23, Luke 22:23, Luke 23:15, Luke 23:41. These witnesses show the word serving conduct, repeated action, responsibility, and fruit, while each passage sets the limits for responsible teaching.
- Luke.3.13
“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered.
This anchor witness places to practice; to do; to carry out inside Luke 3:13. The verse should be read in its own argument before the word is used as a broader teaching theme.
- Luke.19.23
Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank, and upon my return I could have collected it with interest?’
This witness places to practice; to do; to carry out inside Luke 19:23. The verse should be read in its own argument before the word is used as a broader teaching theme.
- Luke.22.23
Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.
This witness places to practice; to do; to carry out inside Luke 22:23. The verse should be read in its own argument before the word is used as a broader teaching theme.
- Luke.23.15
Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
This witness places to practice; to do; to carry out inside Luke 23:15. The verse should be read in its own argument before the word is used as a broader teaching theme.
- Luke.23.41
We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
This witness places to practice; to do; to carry out inside Luke 23:41. The verse should be read in its own argument before the word is used as a broader teaching theme.
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 Do 4× Acts 16:28, Romans 1:32, Romans 2:1, Romans 2:2
done 3× Luke 23:15, Acts 26:26, 2 Corinthians 5:10
to do 3× Luke 22:23, Acts 5:35, Acts 26:9
had done 2× Acts 25:25, Romans 9:11
has done 2× Luke 23:41, Acts 26:31
. . . 1× Romans 2:3
[of] 1× Acts 25:11
Collect 1× Luke 3:13
defying 1× Acts 17:7
did 1× 1 Corinthians 5:2
does 1× John 3:20
had practiced 1× Acts 19:19
have done 1× John 5:29
I am doing 1× Ephesians 6:21
I could have collected 1× Luke 19:23
I do not do 1× Romans 7:15
I keep on doing 1× Romans 7:19
my 1× 1 Corinthians 9:17
not do anything 1× Acts 19:36
our actions 1× Luke 23:41
performing 1× Acts 26:20
practice [them] 1× Romans 1:32
put it into practice 1× Philippians 4:9
their acts of 1× 2 Corinthians 12:21
to attend to 1× 1 Thessalonians 4:11
vvv 1× Romans 13:4
who practice 1× Galatians 5:21
you acted 1× Acts 3:17
you observe 1× Romans 2:25
You will do 1× Acts 15:29
Show sample aligned rows
Luke 3:13 πράσσετε to Collect Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Luke 19:23 ἔπραξα to I could have collected Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Luke 22:23 πράσσειν to to do Verb - Present Infinitive Active Luke 23:15 πεπραγμένον to done Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular Luke 23:41 ἐπράξαμεν to our actions Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Luke 23:41 ἔπραξεν to has done Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular John 3:20 πράσσων to does Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular John 5:29 πράξαντες to have done Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Acts 3:17 ἐπράξατε to you acted Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Acts 5:35 πράσσειν to to do Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Luke 3:13
Aligned rows 39
Books represented 10
Luke 6 John 2 Acts 13 Romans 10 1 Corinthians 2 2 Corinthians 2 Galatians 1 Ephesians 1 Philippians 1 1 Thessalonians 1
Source forms
πράσσειν 4x prassein Luke 22:23, Acts 5:35, Acts 19:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:11
πράσσω 4x prassō Romans 7:15, Romans 7:19, 1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 6:21
πράσσοντας 3x prassontas Acts 26:20, Romans 2:2, Romans 2:3
ἔπραξεν 2x epraxen Luke 23:41, 2 Corinthians 5:10
πεπραγμένον 2x pepragmenon Luke 23:15, Acts 26:26
πραξάντων 2x praxantōn Acts 19:19, Romans 9:11
πράσσετε 2x prassete Luke 3:13, Philippians 4:9
πράσσοντες 2x prassontes Romans 1:32, Galatians 5:21
Parsing patterns
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular 4x Romans 7:15, Romans 7:19, 1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 6:21
Verb - Present Infinitive Active 4x Luke 22:23, Acts 5:35, Acts 19:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural 3x Acts 26:20, Romans 2:2, Romans 2:3
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 2x Luke 23:41, 2 Corinthians 5:10
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural 2x Acts 19:19, Romans 9:11
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular 2x Luke 23:15, Acts 26:26
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural 2x Luke 3:13, Philippians 4:9
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural 2x Romans 1:32, Galatians 5:21
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- To practice; to do; to carry out is useful for teaching conduct, repeated action, responsibility, and fruit, but the verse must govern the application. Start with the passage's argument before drawing broader pastoral lines.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that G4238 by itself proves a full doctrine without the surrounding passage and broader canonical witness.
- Do not make practice language moralism; the passage must define the source, fruit, and direction of conduct.
Evidence Summary
Greek word. To do or practice habitually; emphasizes sustained action or conduct rather than single acts.
Strong's G4238
Lexical occurrences 38 verses Greek text appearances 38 times 16 shown below Word forms 5 forms 38 references Verse guides 0 guides
Study link Romans 2:1-16 Source Gloss
to do/require
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 38 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Luke 3:13 Verb Second Person Plural Present Active Imperative
πράσσετε. prassete
I do, fare, require
Read verse Luke 19:23 Verb First Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἔπραξα epraxa
I do, fare, require
Read verse Luke 22:23 Verb Present Active Infinitive
πράσσειν. prassein
I do, fare, require
Read verse Luke 23:15 Verb Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
πεπραγμένον pepragmenon
I do, fare, require
Read verse Luke 23:41 Verb First Person Plural Aorist Active Indicative
ἐπράξαμεν epraxamen
I do, fare, require
Read verse Luke 23:41 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἔπραξε. epraxen
I do, fare, require
Read verse John 3:20 Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine
πράσσων prasswn
I do, fare, require
Read verse John 5:29 Verb Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine
πράξαντες, praxantev
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 3:17 Verb Second Person Plural Aorist Active Indicative
ἐπράξατε, epraxate
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 5:35 Verb Present Active Infinitive
πράσσειν. prassein
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 15:29 Verb Second Person Plural Future Active Indicative
πράξετε. praxete
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 16:28 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Subjunctive
πράξῃς praxhv
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 17:7 Verb Third Person Plural Present Active Indicative
πράττουσι, prattousin
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 19:19 Verb Aorist Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine
πραξάντων praxantwn
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 19:36 Verb Present Active Infinitive
πράττειν. prattein
I do, fare, require
Read verse Acts 25:11 Verb First Person Singular Perfect Active Indicative
πέπραχά pepraca
I do, fare, require
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 5 Aligned forms 38 Tenses Present, Perfect, Aorist, Future Voices Active, Passive
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Tenses
Voices
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 6×
Present Active Luke 22:23 · Acts 5:35 · Acts 19:36 · 1 Thess 4:11 4×
Perfect Active Acts 25:25 1×
Aorist Active Acts 26:9 1×
Indicative states a fact or reality 15×
Present Active Rom 7:15 · Rom 7:19 · 1 Cor 9:17 · Eph 6:21 · Acts 17:7 · Acts 26:31 · Rom 2:1 7×
Aorist Active Luke 23:41 · 2 Cor 5:10 · Luke 19:23 · Acts 3:17 · 2 Cor 12:21 6×
Future Active Acts 15:29 1×
Perfect Active Acts 25:11 1×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 13×
Present Active Acts 26:20 · Rom 2:2 · Rom 2:3 · Rom 1:32 · Gal 5:21 · John 3:20 · Rom 13:4 8×
Aorist Active Acts 19:19 · Rom 9:11 · John 5:29 3×
Perfect Passive Luke 23:15 · Acts 26:26 2×
Imperative command or strong request 2×
Present Active Luke 3:13 · Phil 4:9 2×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 2×
Aorist Active Acts 16:28 1×
Present Active Rom 2:25 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 36 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present 22 aorist 11 perfect 2 future 1
Voice
active 36
Mood
indicative 15 participle 11 infinitive 6 subjunctive 2 imperative 2
NT Occurrences
Luke 3:13 πράσσετε present active imperative imperative Luke 19:23 ἔπραξα aorist active indicative completed Luke 22:23 πράσσειν present active infinitive infinitive Luke 23:41 ἐπράξαμεν aorist active indicative completed Luke 23:41 ἔπραξεν aorist active indicative completed John 3:20 πράσσων present active participle participle John 5:29 πράξαντες aorist active participle participle Acts 3:17 ἐπράξατε aorist active indicative completed Acts 5:35 πράσσειν present active infinitive infinitive Acts 15:29 πράξετε future active indicative prospective Acts 16:28 πράξῃς aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Acts 17:7 πράσσουσι present active indicative ongoing Acts 19:19 πραξάντων aorist active participle participle Acts 19:36 πράσσειν present active infinitive infinitive Acts 25:11 πέπραχά perfect active indicative resultant Acts 25:25 πεπραχέναι perfect active infinitive infinitive Acts 26:20 πράσσοντας present active participle participle Acts 26:31 πράσσει present active indicative ongoing Acts 26:9 πρᾶξαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Romans 1:32 πράσσοντες present active participle participle Romans 1:32 πράσσουσιν present active participle participle Romans 2:1 πράσσεις present active indicative ongoing Romans 2:2 πράσσοντας present active participle participle Romans 2:25 πράσσῃς present active subjunctive subjunctive Romans 2:3 πράσσοντας present active participle participle Romans 7:15 πράσσω present active indicative ongoing Romans 7:19 πράσσω present active indicative ongoing Romans 9:11 πραξάντων aorist active participle participle Romans 13:4 πράσσοντι present active participle participle 1 Corinthians 9:17 πράσσω present active indicative ongoing 2 Corinthians 5:10 ἔπραξεν aorist active indicative completed 2 Corinthians 12:21 ἔπραξαν aorist active indicative completed Galatians 5:21 πράσσοντες present active participle participle Ephesians 6:21 πράσσω present active indicative ongoing Philippians 4:9 πράσσετε present active imperative imperative 1 Thessalonians 4:11 πράσσειν present active infinitive infinitive
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
to do or commit wrongful acts, moral transgressions
to fare or conduct oneself in a particular state or condition
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 38 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
πράσσω is a primary verb - no further derivation.
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
To practice; to do; to carry out gives teachers a concrete way to speak about conduct, repeated action, responsibility, and fruit without turning a word study into a detached lecture. The first question is not, "What can this Greek word be made to mean?" but, "What is the Spirit saying through this word in this passage?" Luke 3:13 should set the tone for that discipline.
The word can open how practice language exposes the shape of a life through repeated deeds and visible conduct, but it should not be used to bypass context, flatten related terms, or make the lexeme carry more doctrine than the author places on it. Handled well, G4238 helps shepherds, teachers, leaders, groups, families, and disciples slow down over a real textual marker.
It gives them language for the passage's burden, invites careful comparison with other witnesses, and keeps the application tethered to Scripture rather than to a sermon idea in search of a vocabulary hook. Do not make practice language moralism; the passage must define the source, fruit, and direction of conduct.
Anchor passage
Luke.3.13
Doctrinal connections
- G3056 Logos - word, message, or account; useful where speech and witness shape the passage
- G4102 Pistis - faith or faithfulness; useful where response, trust, or allegiance is in view
- G26 Agape - love; useful where the word touches Christian character and neighbor care
- G5485 Charis - grace; useful where the passage stresses divine initiative and gift
πράσσω is cataloged in the local registry as a Greek verb with Strong's ID G4238. Selected BSB source-word forms include πράσσετε, ἔπραξα, πράσσειν, πεπραγμένον, ἐπράξαμεν, with English alignments such as Collect, I could have collected, to do, done, our actions. The pastoral entry uses the local registry and BSB source-word witnesses as controls; it does not reproduce lexical-source wording as public prose.
From Old to New Testament
The entry should be connected to the Old Testament only where the passage itself or a clear canonical parallel supports the move. For this checkpoint, the main public burden remains the NT witness set: Luke 3:13, Luke 19:23, Luke 22:23, Luke 23:15, Luke 23:41.
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