Lexical Summary diókó: To pursue, persecute, chase, press forward Original Word: διώκω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ensue, follow after, persecute, suffer persecution. A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of deilos and diakonos); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute -- ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward. see GREEK deilos see GREEK diakonos HELPS Word-studies 1377 diṓkō – properly, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch (prize). 1377 (diṓkō) is used positively ("earnestly pursue") and negatively ("zealously persecute, hunt down"). In each case, 1377 (diṓkō) means pursue with all haste ("chasing" after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originakin to a prim. verb dió (put to flight) Definition to put to flight, pursue, by impl. to persecute NASB Translation persecute (10), persecuted (13), persecuting (7), persecutor (1), practicing (1), press (2), pursue (7), pursuing (2), run after (1), seek after (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1377: διώκωδιώκω; imperfect ἐδίωκον; future διώξω (Matthew 23:34; Luke 21:12; John 15:20; 2 Samuel 22:38; Wis. 19:2; a rarer form for the more common Attic διώξομαι, cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr: 2:154; Winers Grammar, 84 (80); (Buttmann, 53 (46); especially Veitch, under the word; Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 377)); 1 aorist ἐδίωξα; passive (present διώκομαι); perfect participle δεδιωγμενος; 1 future διωχθήσομαι; (from δίω, to flee); the Sept. commonly for רָדַף; 1. to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away: (τινα) ἀπό πόλεως εἰς πόλιν, Matthew 23:34, cf. 10:23 Griesbach 2. to run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, to run after; absolutely (Homer, Iliad 23, 344; Sophocles El. 738, etc.; διώκειν δρόμῳ, Xenophon, an. 6, 5, 25; cf. 7, 2, 20), to press on: figuratively, of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal, Philippians 3:12 (where distinguished from καταλαμβάνειν (cf. Herodotus 9, 58; Lucian, Hermot. 77)), Philippians 3:14. to pursue (in a hostile manner): τινα, Acts 26:11; Revelation 12:13. 3. Hence, in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one; to persecute, (cf. Latinpersequor, German verfolgen): Matthew 5:10-12, 44; Matthew 10:23; Luke 21:12; ( 4. without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone, Luke 17:23. 5. metaphorically, with the accusative of thing, to pursue i. e. to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire: Romans 9:30 (distinguished here from καταλαμβάνειν); 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22 (in both passages opposed to φεύγειν); νόμον δικαιοσύνης, Romans 9:31 (Proverbs 15:9; τό δίκαιον, Deuteronomy 16:20; Sir. 27:8, where distinguished from καταλαμβάνειν); τήν φιλοξενίαν, Romans 12:13; τά τῆς εἰρήνης, Romans 14:19 (here L marginal reading Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading T read διώκομεν (for the διώκωμεν of others), see (WH's Appendix, p. 169); τήν ἀγάπην, 1 Corinthians 14:1; τό ἀγαθόν, 1 Thessalonians 5:15; εἰρήνην, Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 3:11 (here joined with ζητεῖν τί); times without number in Greek writings (from Homer, Iliad 17, 75 διώκειν ἀκιχητα on; as τιμάς, ἀρετήν, τά καλά (cf. Winer's Grammar, 30.)). (Compare: ἐκδιώκω, καταδιώκω.) Strong’s 1377 gathers two complementary currents—energetic pursuit and hostile persecution. Whether describing the Pharisee hunting disciples or the believer chasing holiness, the term consistently depicts intense, single-minded movement. The context alone clarifies whether the motion is benevolent or malicious. Negative Sense: Hostile Persecution 1. Warnings from Jesus 2. Portraits in Acts 3. Apostolic letters Positive Sense: Holy Pursuit 1. Character formation 2. Ministry priorities 3. Personal growth From Persecutor to Pursuer: The Pauline Transformation Saul of Tarsus initially “persecuted the church of God beyond measure” (Galatians 1:13) and “tried to destroy it” (Acts 26:11). Following his Damascus-road encounter, the same verb reappears in Paul’s testimony but now in its positive thrust: he “presses on” after Christ (Philippians 3:12-14). The vocabulary shift mirrors the moral reversal wrought by grace. Persecution in the Early Church The Jerusalem believers scatter under pressure, spreading the gospel outward (Acts 8–11). Stephen’s death, James’s execution, and the arrests chronicled throughout Acts demonstrate that persecution, rather than stifling the faith, fertilized its growth. The repeated use of 1377 underscores both the relentlessness of the oppressors and the resilience of the redeemed. Persecution and Eschatology Revelation 12:13 casts the dragon’s pursuit of the woman as the culmination of satanic hatred for the covenant community. Jesus’ eschatological teachings (Matthew 24; Luke 21) and Paul’s prediction in 2 Timothy 3:12 prepare believers for an ongoing pattern: tribulation now, vindication at His appearing. Theological Insights: Union with Christ Christ’s question, “Why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4) reveals the mystical union between Head and body. To harass believers is to strike at Christ Himself; conversely, enduring persecution is fellowship with His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). This truth supplies both comfort and motivation for steadfastness. Pastoral and Discipleship Application 1. Expectation—Believers should anticipate hostility yet not court it. Ministry Implications Today Global persecution statistics echo the New Testament pattern. Churches are called to remember prisoners (Hebrews 13:3), support the afflicted, and train disciples to endure. At the same time, every congregation must cultivate holy pursuit—pressing on toward maturity, while praying for those who press against them. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:10 V-RPM/P-NMPGRK: μακάριοι οἱ δεδιωγμένοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης NAS: are those who have been persecuted for the sake KJV: Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for INT: Blessed they who have been persecuted on account of righteousness Matthew 5:11 V-ASA-3P Matthew 5:12 V-AIA-3P Matthew 5:44 V-PPA-GMP Matthew 10:23 V-PSA-3P Matthew 23:34 V-FIA-2P Luke 11:49 V-FIA-3P Luke 17:23 V-ASA-2P Luke 21:12 V-FIA-3P John 5:16 V-IIA-3P John 15:20 V-AIA-3P John 15:20 V-FIA-3P Acts 7:52 V-AIA-3P Acts 9:4 V-PIA-2S Acts 9:5 V-PIA-2S Acts 22:4 V-AIA-1S Acts 22:7 V-PIA-2S Acts 22:8 V-PIA-2S Acts 26:11 V-IIA-1S Acts 26:14 V-PIA-2S Acts 26:15 V-PIA-2S Romans 9:30 V-PPA-NNP Romans 9:31 V-PPA-NMS Romans 12:13 V-PPA-NMP Romans 12:14 V-PPA-AMP Strong's Greek 1377 |
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