Contain

Greek Word Pronunciation: koh-RAY-oh
Strong’s Number: 5562
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 6003
Key Verse: “… not wishing for any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” -- 2 Peter 3:9

The verb, choreo, appears in only 9 verses of scripture and has a wide variety of translations. The literal meaning is “to give space, make room” (from chora, meaning “a place”). Therefore, it gives the idea of having room for some thing, “to contain.” This idea is found in John 2:6, referring to waterpots containing a certain quantity; in Mark 2:2, of a space large enough to hold a number of people; and in John 21:25, that “the world would not contain the books that would be written.”

In Matthew 15:17 is Jesus’ explanation that food does not make a person unclean: “anything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach.” Matthew 19:11, 12, refers to whether or not “all men can accept this statement” regarding to marry or not.

In 2 Corinthians 7:2, Paul asks the Corinthian believers to “make room for us in your hearts.” He and Timothy wish to be received as friends, with love and respect. They wish no further tightness of heart in them (as previously evidenced in 2 Corinthians 6:12).

In John 8:37, Jesus said to believing Jews, “you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.” They had no room for His doctrine in their minds. They were so filled with prejudice, pride, and false notions, they would not receive His truth. Their hearts were barred and bolted against it.

In the key verse, 2 PETER 3:9, God is “not wishing for any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” There are approximately 40 other Greek words usually translated “to come,” but in this verse, the key word, choreo, implies there is room for them to be received to repentance; having room in their soul for a change of mind toward God. God holds up His word as that which ought to find entrance and abiding room for itself in the souls of all who hear it.