The Meaning of Luke 6:38 Explained

Luke 6:38

KJV: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

YLT: 'Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed, and shaken, and running over, they shall give into your bosom; for with that measure with which ye measure, it shall be measured to you again.'

Darby: Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom: for with the same measure with which ye mete it shall be measured to you again.

ASV: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Give,  and  it shall be given  unto you;  good  measure,  pressed down,  and  shaken together,  and  running over,  shall men give  into  your  bosom.  For  with the same  measure  that  ye mete withal  it shall be measured  to you  again. 

What does Luke 6:38 Mean?

Study Notes

Give
See, Proverbs 28:27
Moreover
In 2 Corinthians 8, 9, the apostle sums up the Christian doctrine of giving. It may be thus summarized:
(1) It is a "grace," i.e. a disposition created by the Spirit 2 Corinthians 8:7
(2) In contrast with the law, which imposed giving as a divine requirement, Christian giving is voluntary, and a test of sincerity and love 2 Corinthians 8:8-12 ; 2 Corinthians 9:1 ; 2 Corinthians 9:2 ; 2 Corinthians 9:5 ; 2 Corinthians 9:7
(3) The privilege is universal, belonging, according to ability, to rich and poor 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 ; 2 Corinthians 8:12-15 ; 1 Corinthians 16:1 ; 1 Corinthians 16:2 .
(4) Giving is to be proportioned to income 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 ; 1 Corinthians 16:2 . The O.T. proportion was the tithe, a proportion which antedates the law Genesis 14:20 .
(5) The rewards of Christian giving are (a) joy 2 Corinthians 8:2 (b) increased ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given 2 Corinthians 9:7-11 (c) increased thankfulness to God 2 Corinthians 9:12 (d) God and the Gospel glorified 2 Corinthians 9:13 ; 2 Corinthians 9:14

Context Summary

Luke 6:27-38 - How To Treat Our Fellow-Men
Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount differs from that of Matthew, only as each views the great discourse from his own standpoint. By one it is viewed as the manifesto of the King; by the other, as the proclamation of "the Man Christ Jesus" to man.
Notice the secret of blessedness! Here is the draught-sketch of a life of abounding blessing, overflowing with mercy and lovingkindness. With what measure we mete out our love to men, they will measure back their love to us, using our own measures for the purpose.
Each of these Beatitudes is a gateway into blessedness. It is not that blessedness is the reward of virtue, but it is the necessary and invariable result. Only we must be good, because it is right and God-pleasing to be so, and the blessedness will be as natural as the bloom on the peach. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 6

1  Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12  chooses apostles;
17  heals the diseased;
20  preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27  Love your Enemy
37  Do not Judge
43  A Tree and Its Fruit
46  The House on the Rock

Greek Commentary for Luke 6:38

Pressed down [πεπιεσμενον]
Perfect passive participle from πιεζω — piezō old verb, but here alone in the N.T., though the Doric form πιαζω — piazō to seize, occurs several times (John 7:30, John 7:32, John 7:44). [source]
Shaken together [σεσαλευμενον]
Perfect passive participle again from common verb σαλευω — saleuō over Present middle participle of this double compound verb not found elsewhere save in A Q in Joel 2:24. Χυνω — Chunō is a late form of χεω — cheō There is asyndeton here, no conjunction connecting these participles. The present here is in contrast to the two preceding perfects. The participles form an epexegesis or explanation of the “good measure” Into your bosom The fold of the wide upper garment bound by the girdle made a pocket in common use (Exodus 4:6; Proverbs 6:27; Psalm 79:12; Isaiah 65:6.; Jeremiah 32:18). So Isaiah 65:7: I will measure their former work unto their bosom.Shall be measured to you again (αντιμετρητησεται — antimetrēthēsetai). Future passive indicative of the verb here only in the N.T. save late MSS. in Matthew 7:2. Even here some MSS. have μετρητησεται — metrēthēsetai The αντι — anti has the common meaning of in turn or back, measured back to you in requital. [source]
Shall be measured to you again [αντιμετρητησεται]
Future passive indicative of the verb here only in the N.T. save late MSS. in Matthew 7:2. Even here some MSS. have μετρητησεται — metrēthēsetai The αντι — anti has the common meaning of in turn or back, measured back to you in requital. [source]
Pressed down [πεπιεσμένον]
Only here in New Testament. A common medical term for pressing strongly on a part of the body, and opposed to ψαύειν , to touch gently. [source]
Shaken together, running over []
Bengel says, “Pressed down, as dry articles; shaken together, as soft goods; running over, as liquids. ” But this is fanciful and incorrect. The allusion in every case is to a dry measure; and the climax in the three participles would be destroyed by Bengel's interpretation. [source]
Bosom [τὸν κόλπον]
The gathered fold of the wide upper garment, bound together with the girdle, and thus forming a pouch. In the Eastern markets at this day vendors may be seen pouring the contents of a measure into the bosom of a purchaser. In Rth 3:15 , Boaz says to Ruth, “Bring the vail (the mantle, so Rev., Old Testament), that thou hast upon thee, and hold it (hold it open): and he measured six measures of barley into it. ” Compare Isaiah 65:7, “I will measure their former work into their bosom; also Jeremiah 32:18. In Acts 27:39, the word is used of a bay in a beach, forming a bend in the land like the hollow of a robe. Similarly, the Latin sinus means both the hanging, baggy bosom of a robe and a bay. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 6:38

Mark 4:24 With what measure [εν ωι μετρωι]
See already in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:2; see note on Luke 6:38). [source]
Luke 21:26 Shall be shaken [σαλευθήσονται]
Compare Matthew 11:7; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 12:26, Hebrews 12:27. The root of the verb is the same as that of billows, Luke 21:25. [source]
Luke 12:20 Is thy soul required of thee [την πσυχην σου αιτουσιν απο σου]
Plural active present, not passive: “They are demanding thy soul from thee.” The impersonal plural (aitousin) is common enough (Luke 6:38; Luke 12:11; Luke 16:9; Luke 23:31). The rabbis used “they” to avoid saying “God.” [source]
John 13:23 Bosom []
See on Luke 6:38. The Synoptists do not give this incident.sa40 [source]
John 7:30 They sought therefore [εζητουν ουν]
Imperfect active of ζητεω — zēteō inchoative or conative, they began to seek. Either makes sense. The subject is naturally some of the Jerusalemites (Westcott) rather than some of the leaders (Bernard). To take him First aorist active infinitive, Doric form from πιαζω — piazō from the usual πιεζω — piezō occasionally so in the papyri, but πιαζω — piazō always in N.T. except Luke 6:38. And Here = “but.” Laid his hand Second aorist active indicative of επιβαλλω — epiballō to cast upon. Old and common idiom for arresting one to make him a prisoner (Matthew 26:50). See repetition in John 7:44. His hour In John 13:1 we read that “the hour” had come, but that was “not yet” “John is at pains to point out at every point that the persecution and death of Jesus followed a predestined course” (Bernard), as in John 2:4; John 7:6, John 7:8; John 8:10; John 10:39; John 13:1, etc. Was not yet come Past perfect active of ερχομαι — erchomai as John looks back on the story. [source]
Acts 27:39 Bay [κόλπον]
See on bosom, Luke 6:38. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:32 Guarded [επρουρει]
Imperfect active of προυρεω — phroureō old verb (from προυρος — phrouros a guard) to guard by posting sentries. In Acts 9:24 we read that the Jews kept watch to seize Paul, but there is no conflict as they cooperated with the guard set by Aretas at their request. To seize (πιασαι — piasai). Doric first aorist active infinitive of πιεζω — piezō (Luke 6:38) for which see note on Acts 3:7. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:32 To seize [πιασαι]
Doric first aorist active infinitive of πιεζω — piezō (Luke 6:38) for which see note on Acts 3:7. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 6:38 mean?

Give and it will be given to you Measure good pressed down shaken together running over will they put into the lap of you with that for measure you measure it will be measured again
δίδοτε καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν μέτρον καλὸν πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυννόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν γὰρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται

δίδοτε  Give 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
δοθήσεται  it  will  be  given 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
μέτρον  Measure 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: μέτρον  
Sense: measure, an instrument for measuring.
καλὸν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
πεπιεσμένον  pressed  down 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πιέζω  
Sense: to press, press together.
σεσαλευμένον  shaken  together 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: σαλεύω  
Sense: a motion produced by winds, storms, waves, etc.
ὑπερεκχυννόμενον  running  over 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ 
Sense: to pour out beyond measure.
δώσουσιν  will  they  put 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
κόλπον  lap 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κόλπος  
Sense: the front of the body between the arms.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
  with  that 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
μέτρῳ  measure 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: μέτρον  
Sense: measure, an instrument for measuring.
μετρεῖτε  you  measure 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: μετρέω  
Sense: to measure, to measure out or off.
ἀντιμετρηθήσεται  it  will  be  measured  again 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀντιμετρέω  
Sense: to measure back, to measure in return, repay.