The Greek verb antimetreō means to measure back, to repay with the same measure. Appearing only once in the New Testament (Luke 6:38), it is the word Jesus uses to describe the divine and human reciprocity of generosity — the law of commensurate return that governs both divine blessing and human judgment.
Antimetreō appears in Jesus's Sermon on the Plain teaching on generosity: 'Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you' (Luke 6:38). The word captures the divine economy of reciprocity — not a mechanical transaction but a generous God who gives back abundantly to those who give. The 'measure you use' language (see also Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24) suggests that the quality and spirit of our giving shapes the quality of our receiving. Stingy giving reflects stingy faith; lavish giving reflects trust in a lavish God. The verse is not a prosperity formula but a revelation of God's character: He is not outdone in generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:6 echoes the principle: 'Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.'