Leipo means to lack, be absent, or fall short of what is needed. It appears 6 times in the NT and is the root of elleipo (lack), leipomenos (lacking), and aneleipes (inexhaustible). It describes everything from lacking wisdom (James 1:5) to genuine material destitution (James 2:15).
James 1:5 transforms leipo into one of the most encouraging promises in Scripture: 'If any of you lacks [leipo] wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.' The word of lack becomes the occasion for divine generosity. James 2:15 uses it for poverty: 'if a brother or sister is naked and destitute [leipo] of daily food' — connecting theological reflection on faith with practical care for the poor. Titus 1:5 instructs Titus to 'put in order what was left unfinished [leipo]' in the churches of Crete, showing that leipo applies also to institutional incompleteness. The word implies that every lack is an invitation — God specializes in filling what is missing.