Greek word · Strong's G1654

ἐλεημοσύνη

eleēmosýnē · noun · “mercy, alms”

In a sentence

Eleēmosynē means mercy — and especially merciful giving, alms to the poor. It is the embodiment of love in concrete care for those in need.

Eleēmosynē is mercy made tangible — particularly in giving to the poor. Jesus assumes his followers will do it: “when you give to the needy.”

In the New Testament, mercy is not a feeling; it is an act. Cornelius’s alms “ascended as a memorial before God” (Acts 10). Eleēmosynē is one of the oldest ways to live a kind heart out loud.

Strong's reference

Definition: compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction

KJV usage: alms(-deeds)

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Matthew 6:3 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” Acts 10:4 “Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.” Luke 11:41 “But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.