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G4332 · Greek · New Testament
προσεδρεύω
prosedreuo
Verb
to sit constantly beside, to attend, to devote oneself to

Definition

Prosedreuo (προσεδρεύω) means to sit beside constantly, to attend devotedly, or to wait upon someone with dedicated service. It appears in 1 Corinthians 9:13 in Paul's argument about ministerial support: those who serve at the altar share in what belongs to the altar — they prosedreuo the holy things. The word carries the image of a devoted attendant who is perpetually present and available.

Usage & Theological Significance

Paul uses prosedreuo to establish the principle that those devoted to ministry have a right to material support — the one who attends constantly to spiritual service should not be preoccupied with material survival. The image is of a priestly attendant at the temple, whose entire presence is given over to that service. For Paul, this is not privilege but vocation: complete consecration of presence and attention.

Key Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 9:13 Don't you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who wait at the altar [prosedreuo] share in what is offered on the altar?
Luke 2:37 She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
Acts 6:4 We will give our attention [proskartereo] to prayer and the ministry of the word.
1 Corinthians 7:35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Hebrews 7:25 He always lives to intercede for them.

Word Study

Prosedreuo belongs to a family of words describing devoted, constant attendance. The word invites reflection on what it means to be perpetually present before God — not rushing through prayer but sitting beside, attending, devoted. Contemplative traditions in Christianity have long valued this posture of prosedreuo: being present, available, attentive to the One who is always present to us.

Related Words

External Resources

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