Work (1754) energeo by Greek Word Studies

Performs (1754) (energeo from en = in + érgon = work. English = energetic) means to work effectively to cause something to happen. To energize, to operate, to work effectually in. It means power in exercise, and is used only of superhuman power. To work energetically, effectively and/or efficiently. To put forth energy. To be at work. To produce results. Energeo describes active, efficient, effective working. Paul is saying that the power of God's word exerts effective, energetic power in believers. This activity put forth in an individual energizes him to the doing of certain things intended by the one who is doing the energizing. Energeo in the NT virtually always describes supernatural activity, principally God's energizing. Romans 7 describes the energizing effect of our Sin nature inherited from Adam... For while we were in the flesh (in Adam, not born again, not regenerate, not in Christ), the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work (energeo - imperfect tense) in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. (See note Romans 7:5) Comment: The pricks and stings of passion were active in our members and the imperfect tense picture the continual action - over and over we these sinful passions pricked us to commit sins. Eighteen of the twenty-one occurrences of energeo in the NT are in Paul's letters and he alone employs the corresponding nouns energeia ("working") and energema ("activity"). In Classical Greek, energes, energeia (energy), and energeo to be at work, seem to have been used almost exclusively as medical terms referring to medical treatment and the influence of medicine. POWER OF THE WORD - The renowned preacher C H Spurgeon once tested an auditorium in which he was to speak that evening. Stepping into the pulpit, he loudly proclaimed, "Behold the lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world." Satisfied with the acoustics, he left and went his way. Unknown to him, there were two men working in the rafters of that large auditorium, neither one Christians. One of the men was pricked in his conscience by the verse Spurgeon quoted and became a believer later that day! Such is the penetrating power of God's eternal word! Little wonder that Paul is so insistent on our "preaching of the Word." Spurgeon also tells the story illustrating the power of the gospel... Preacher converted by his own preaching. I wish that it might happen to you as it did with my dear friend, Mr. Haslam, whom God has blessed to the conversion of so many. He was preaching a sermon that he did not understand, and while he preached it, he converted himself. By God's grace he began to feel the power of the Holy Spirit and the force of divine truth. He so spoke that a Methodist in the congregation called out, "The parson is converted"; and so the parson was. He owned it, and praised God for it, and all the people sang:— "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow." His own utterances concerning Christ crucified had been the power of God unto salvation to him. (Barbed Arrows from the Quiver of C. H. Spurgeon) In the New Testament energeo is used of God Gal 2:8, 1 Cor 12:6; Eph 1:11, 1:20; 3:20; 2:13; Col 1:29 (notes Ep 1:11, 1:20; 3:20; 2:13; Col 1:29) the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 12:11; Jas 5:16 the Word of God, 1Thessalonians 2:13-note supernatural power, undefined, Mt 14:2, Mk 6:14 faith, as the energizer of love, Gal 5:6 the example of patience in suffering, 2 Cor 1:6 death (physical) and life (spiritual), 2 Cor 4:12 sinful passions, Romans 7:5 (note) the spirit of the Evil One, Ephesians 2:2 (note) the mystery of iniquity, 2Th 2:7 Energeo is used 4 times in the Lxx (Nu 8:24, Pr 21:6, 31:12, Isaiah 41:4) Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed (Lxx = energeo) and accomplished it, Calling forth the generations from the beginning? 'I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He. Energeo is used 22 times in the NAS - Matt. 14:2; Mk. 6:14; Ro 7:5; 1 Co. 12:6, 11; 2 Co. 1:6; 4:12; Gal. 2:8; 3:5; 5:6; Eph. 1:11, 20; 2:2; 3:20; Phil. 2:13; Col. 1:29; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:7; James. 5:16. The NAS translates energeo as - accomplish, 1; brought about, 1; effective, 2; effectually worked, 2; performs...work, 1; work, 6; working, 2; works, 7. The KJV translates energeo as - work 12, show forth (one's) self 2, wrought 1, be effectual 1, effectually work 1, effectual fervent 1, work effectually in 1, be might in 1, to do 1; 21. The thought of the activating power of God's Word is common in the Scriptures... So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) Which things (spiritual truth freely given to the apostles by God) we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. (1Cor 2:13) (Comment: Paul thus claims that his teachings are not really his, but God's, for the very words are taught by the Holy Spirit. This is a clear claim to divine verbal inspiration of the Pauline epistles!) For the word of God is living (present tense - continually) and active (energes) and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (see note Hebrews 4:12) Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21) (Comment: We often hear people say, I don't get anything out of the Bible. How might this verse explain their lack of interest and understanding?) For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. (see note 1Peter 1:23) (Here the Word is specifically the Gospel) which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth (See note Colossians 1:6) (In Ephesus Luke records that) the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. (Acts 19:20) Sanctify them in the truth. Thy word is truth. (John 17:17) (Comment: The supernatural, miraculous process of sanctification or of being set apart from this world for God's service is accomplished through the Word of Truth) (Paul in his closing exhortation to the Ephesian elders declared) And now I commend ( paratithemi = literally to place near. It was a banking term describing a deposit made as a trust or for protection = place in another's trust - commit for safe keeping) you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able (has the inherent ability or power in itself by virtue of its divine nature) to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (perfect tense = All who have been born from above with that blessed state continuing into all eternity, forever and ever) . (Acts 20:32) Hiebert observes that... In saying that this Word works in you Paul is reminding his readers that they personally knew the operative power of it. The effect it had wrought in their lives was widely known; it turned them to God from idols, committed them to the service of the living God, and gave them the hope of the return of the risen Christ as their Savior from the coming wrath (see note 1Thess 1:9; 1:10). Such a transforming experience convinces every believer that what he has accepted is truly the Word of God. No humanly contrived message can produce such results. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996) You who believe - This indicates the condition under which the divine Word can operate in human hearts. Personal faith conditions the efficacy (the power to produce an effect) of the Word of God. To say it another way, there must not only be the hearing of the Word but also continuing belief. The present tense of pisteuo marks their believing as an abiding characteristic or a trait. A genuine faith is a continuing faith! Can it ebb and flow? Sure, but it continues to believe even when at "low tide" so to speak. Believe (4100) (pisteuo from pistis; pistos; related studies the faith, the obedience of faith) means to consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one’s trust. To accept as true, genuine, or real. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something or someone. To consider to be true. To accept the word or evidence of. Vincent notes that pisteuo... means to persuade, to cause belief, to induce one to do something by persuading, and so runs into the meaning of to obey, properly as the result of persuasion In secular Greek literature, as well as in the New Testament, pisteuo (pistis, pistos) has a basic meaning of an intellectual assent or a belief that something is true. Michel says that this use arose during the Hellenistic period. During the struggle with skepticism and atheism, it acquired the sense of conviction concerning the existence and activity of the Greek gods. Thayer calls this the intransitive use of the word which conveys the idea of to be sure or be persuaded that something is a fact. This kind of faith does not require any action on the part of the believer but only an intellectual acceptance. As discussed below, James used this type of faith as an example of a dead faith stating that "The devils also believe, and tremble" (Ja 2:19). The other secular Greek meaning that is the more common use in the New Testament is the transitive or active use which means to "put faith in" or "rely upon" someone or something. Sometimes it has even stronger meaning: "To entrust something to another." In classical usage it denoted conduct that honored a previous agreement, such as the honoring of a truce between opposing armies (Iliad 2.124). The meaning of entrusting something to someone is found in Xenophon (Memorabilia 4.4.17). An example of this use in the New Testament is 2 Timothy 1:12. Paul said I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (see note 2 Timothy 1:12) (Comment: Here pisteuo means to trust in or rely upon Christ to save us) Pisteuo means to entrust oneself to an entity in complete confidence. To believe in with the implication of total commitment to the one who is trusted. As discussed below Christ is the object of this type of faith that relies on His power and nearness to help, in addition to being convinced that His revelations or disclosures are true. NIDNTT writes that in classical Greek literature... pistis means the trust that a man may place in men or the gods (Hesiod, Works, 372; Soph., OT, 1445), credibility (Soph., OC, 611), credit in business (Dem., 36, 57), guarantee (Aesch., Frag. 394), proof (Democ., 125), or something entrusted (IG 14, 2012 A 23). Similarly, pisteuo means to trust something or someone (Hdt., 1, 24; Aesch., Pers., 800 ff.). It can refer to and confirm legendary tales (Hdt., 4, 96) and mythical ideas (Plato, Grg., 524a). In the construction pisteuo tini ti it means to entrust something or someone to someone (Xen., Mem., 4, 4, 17). With reference to people, pisteuo means to obey (Soph., OT, 625). The pass. means to enjoy trust (Xen., Anab., 7, 6, 33). The adj. pistos means trusting (Theognis, 283), trustworthy (Hom., Il., 2, 124). to piston means dependability or the faithfulness of those bound through an agreement (Aesch., Ag., 651; Xen., Anab., 2, 4, 7). The verb. pistoo has the meaning of binding someone or oneself to be faithful (Soph., OC, 650). In the pass. it means to be sure, to trust (Hom., Od., 21, 217 f.). The pistis word-group has a special colouring, where it refers to believing doxa (opinion). In such a case dependability is limited (cf. Plato, Phd., 107b). (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) The noun pistis and the verb pisteuo, mean an adherence to, committal to, faith in, reliance upon, trust in a person or an object, to be persuaded of or convinced of something, to place one's confidence in, to trust. See Spurgeon's sermons on belief... John 8:30-32 Believing On Jesus, And Its Counterfeits Romans 3:3-4 God Justified, Though Man Believes Not Pisteuo can also mean to be confident about or to be firmly persuaded as to something, and so Paul writes... One man has faith (pisteuo) that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. (see note Romans 14:2) (Here the believing conveys the sense of having an opinion, thinking) As noted above, pisteuo can refer to an "heart belief" (saving faith, genuine belief that leads to salvation, this believing involves not only the consent of the mind, but an act of the heart and will of the subject) or an intellectual belief (mental assent, "head" knowledge, not associated with bringing salvation if it is by itself), both uses demonstrated by Jesus statement in John 11, John 11:26 Everyone who lives and believes (refers to genuine saving faith) in Me shall never die. Do you believe (intellectually) this? James 2:19 You believe (pisteuo) that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe (pisteuo), and shudder. Comment: In this passage, James explains that not all believing will result in salvation. The believing he is describing in this passage is a mental or intellectual believing that is not associated in a change in one's heart and thus in one's behavior or actions. Belief in the New Testament sense that effects the new birth denotes more than a "demonic" like, intellectual assent to a set of facts or truths. The demons believe but they are clearly not saved. Genuine belief does involve an intellectual assent and consent of one's mind, but also includes an act of one's heart and will. Biblical saving faith is not passive assent but an active staking of one's life on the claims of God. The respected Greek lexicon author W E Vine defines belief as consisting of (1) a firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth - (2Thes 2:11 -"in order that they all may be judged who did not believe [pisteuo] the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.") (2) a personal surrender to the Truth (Jn 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe [pisteuo] in His name") and (3) a conduct inspired by and consistent with that surrender. Pisteuo can also refer to a committing of something to someone and so to entrust them. And thus we find pisteuo is translated entrust (entrusted, entrusting) 8 times in the NT. Here are 2 examples of this meaning of pisteuo... If therefore you have not been faithful (pistos) in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust (pisteuo) the true riches to you? (Luke 16:11) Great in every respect (Paul answers his question of what is the advantage of the Jew?). First of all, that they were entrusted (pisteuo) with the oracles of God. (see note Romans 3:2) Pisteuo is one of the most frequent and important verbs in the NT used some 213" class="scriptRef">13.19.4" class="scriptRef">41" class="scriptRef">41 times Mt. 8:13; 9:28; 18" class="scriptRef">18.6" class="scriptRef">18:6; 5" class="scriptRef">5.11" class="scriptRef">11" class="scriptRef">11.21" class="scriptRef">21.22" class="scriptRef">22" class="scriptRef">21:22, 25" class="scriptRef">25" class="scriptRef">25, 32" class="scriptRef">32; 24.10" class="scriptRef">10.14" class="scriptRef">14.23" class="scriptRef">23" class="scriptRef">24:23, 26; 16" class="scriptRef">16" class="scriptRef">16" class="scriptRef">16.27" class="scriptRef">27.42" class="scriptRef">42" class="scriptRef">42" class="scriptRef">42" class="scriptRef">42" class="scriptRef">27:42; Mk. 1:15; 36" class="scriptRef">5:36; 9:23, 24, 42; 11:23, 24, 31" class="scriptRef">31" class="scriptRef">31; 13:21; 15:32; 16:13, 14, 16, 17; Lk. 1:20, 45" class="scriptRef">45; 12-Luke.8.13" class="scriptRef">8:12, 13, 50" class="scriptRef">50" class="scriptRef">50; 16:11; 20:5; 22:67; 24:25; Jn. 1:7, 12, 50; 2:11, 22, 23, 24; 3:12, 15, 16, 18, 36; 4:21, 39" class="scriptRef">39, 41, 42, 48" class="scriptRef">48" class="scriptRef">48" class="scriptRef">48, 50, 53; 5:24, 38" class="scriptRef">38, 44" class="scriptRef">44, 46-John.5.47" class="scriptRef">46, 47; 29" class="scriptRef">29-John.6.30" class="scriptRef">6:29, 30, 35, 36, 40" class="scriptRef">40, 47, 64, 69; 7:5, 31, 38, 39, 48; 8:24, 30, 31, 45, 46; 9:18, 35, 36, 38; 10:25, 26, 37, 38, 42; 11:15, 25, 26, 27, 40, 42, 45, 48; 12:11, 36, 37, 38, 42, 44, 46; 13:19; 14:1, 10, 11, 12, 29; 16:9, 27, 30, 31; 17:8, 20, 21; 19:35; 20:8, 25, 29, 31; Acts 2:44; 4:4, 32; 5:14; 8:12, 13; 9:26, 42; 10:43; 11:17, 21; 13:12, 39, 41, 48; 14:1, 23; 15:5, 7, 11; 16:31, 34" class="scriptRef">34; 17:12, 34; 18:8, 27; 19:2, 4, 18; 21:20, 25; 22:19; 24:14; 26:27; 27:25; Ro 1:16; 3:2, 22; 4:3, 5, 11, 17, 18, 24; 6:8; 9:33; 10:4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16; 13:11; 14:2; 15:13; 1Co. 1:21; 3:5; 9:17; 11:18; 13:7; 14:22; 15:2, 11; 2 Co. 4:13; Gal. 2:7, 16; 3:6, 22; Eph. 1:13, 19; Phil. 1:29; 1Thess. 1:7; 2:4, 10, 13; 4:14; 2Thess. 1:10; 2:11, 12; 1Ti 1:11, 16; 3:16; 2Ti 1:12; Titus 1:3; 3:8; Heb 4:3; 11:6; James. 2:19, 23; 1Pet. 1:8; 2:6f; 1 Jn. 3:23; 4:1, 16; 5:1, 5, 10, 13; Jude 1:5. The NAS translates pisteuo as - believe(118), believed(73), believers(3), believes(29), believing(10), do (m)(1),entrust(1), entrusted(6), entrusting(1), has faith(1). Pisteuo is found 24" class="scriptRef">24 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (5.6" class="scriptRef">Ge 15:6; 42:20; 45:26; Ex. 4:1, 5, 31" class="scriptRef">31" class="scriptRef">8f, 31; 14:31; 19:9; Num. 14:11; 20:12; Deut. 9:23; 28:66; 1 Sam. 3:21; 27:12; 1 Ki. 10:7; 2 Chr. 9:6; 32.15" class="scriptRef">32:15; Esther 8:12; Job 4:18; 9:16; 15:15, 22, 31; 24:22; 29:24; 39:12, 24; Ps. 27:13; 78:22, 32; 106:12, 24; 116:10; 119:66; Prov. 14:15; 30:1; Is 7:9; 28:16; 43:10; 53:1; Jer. 12:6; 25:8; 40:14; Lam. 4:12; Dan. 6:23; Hab 1:5). The first use by Moses is one of the most important uses of pisteuo in all of Scripture... Genesis 15:6 Then he (Abraham) believed (Hebrew = 'āman; LXX = pisteuo) in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (Comment: Note that in the OT, salvation was by faith, not works. Paul explains that Abraham heard the gospel - see Galatians 3:8. It is also worth noting that the Hebrew word for "believe" in this verse is 'āman means to confirm, support or uphold and conveys the essential idea that one remains steadfast. At the heart of the meaning of the root of the Hebrew verb 'āman is the idea of certainty or firmness. The derivatives reflect the concept of certainty and dependability. In other words faith is not a blind leap into the dark but a confident commitment to the One about Whom abundant evidence bears ample testimony of His eternal, immutable trustworthiness. Faith is far more than mere hope that something unlikely may happen. It is a deep, internal certainty, rooted in our trust of what God has said.) Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said to Moses "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe (Hebrew = 'āman; LXX = pisteuo) in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?" Psalm 78:22 Because they did not believe (LXX = pisteuo) in God, and did not trust (hope) in His salvation. Psalm 78:32 In spite of all this they still sinned, and did not believe (LXX = pisteuo) in His wonderful works. (In spite of all His works and lessons the generation of Israelites that left Egypt in the Exodus continued to disbelieve and disobey Yahweh) Psalm 106:24 Then they (speaking of the nation’s rejection of Joshua’s and Caleb’s positive report of the Promised Land) despised the pleasant land. They did not believe (LXX = pisteuo) in His word. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes (LXX = pisteuo) in it will not be disturbed. (quoted in part 3 times in the NT, see notes Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6) Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed (LXX = pisteuo) our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (Quoted in NT, see note Romans 10:16) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1thessalonians_213.htm#perform

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Work (1754) energeo

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