παρα-θήκη G3866
a deposit, something entrusted to one's care; a sacred trust or stewardship to be guarded
This noun refers to something entrusted into one's keeping—a deposit to be faithfully guarded and eventually returned. Paul charges Timothy to 'guard the deposit' entrusted to him (1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:14), likely referring to sound doctrine and apostolic teaching. Paul also expresses confidence that Christ is able to guard what Paul has entrusted to him until that Day (2 Tim 1:12). The term carries financial overtones but in the New Testament denotes sacred stewardship—truth and ministry committed to faithful hands.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Multilingual glosses consistently render this as 'deposit': English 'deposit', Spanish 'depósito', French preserves the Greek παραθήκην, German 'anvertrautes-Gut' (entrusted good). The lexicon defines it as 'anything entrusted to one, deposit' with roots in banking and property. 1 Tim 6:20 and 2 Tim 1:14 urge Timothy to guard the deposit entrusted to him (likely sound doctrine), while 2 Tim 1:12 expresses Paul's confidence that God will guard what has been entrusted to him. The word emphasizes fiduciary responsibility for what belongs to another. 3×
AR["الوَديعَةَ", "وَديعَتي"]·ben["আমানত", "গচ্ছিত"]·DE["anvertrautes-Gut"]·EN["deposit"]·FR["παραθήκην"]·heb["פִּקָּדוֹן"]·HI["धरोहर"]·ID["yang-dipercayakan"]·IT["parathēkēn"]·jav["titipan"]·KO["맡겨진-것을"]·PT["depósito"]·RU["поручение"]·ES["depósito"]·SW["amana"]·TR["emaneti", "emanetimi"]·urd["امانت"]
Related Senses
H8104 1. Qal: keep, observe (law/covenant) (399×)G3101 1. disciple, learner (263×)H5826 1. Qal: to help, aid (53×)H8334 1. to minister, serve (52×)H8334 2. minister, servant, attendant (46×)G5083 1. observe or obey commands (41×)H8104 2. Niphal: beware, take heed (34×)G1247 1. to serve or minister to (32×)H3256 1. discipline, chastise (Piel active) (27×)H5833 1. help, aid, assistance (26×)H8104 3. Qal: watch, look out (26×)H5341 1. keep, observe (commandments) (24×)G5083 2. guard or protect someone (23×)H5647 2. serve, minister to (a person) (21×)H5826 2. Qal participle: helper (21×)G5219 1. obey, be obedient to (20×)H5341 2. guard, protect, preserve (a person) (20×)G1398 1. serve, render service to (19×)H5828 1. help, assistance (19×)H5411 1. Nethinim, temple servants (18×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
παρα-θήκη, ἡ, anything entrusted to one. deposit, LXX+5th c.BC+; of persons, hostage, Refs 5th c.BC+