Lexical Summary egkatoikeó: To dwell in, to inhabit Original Word: ἐγκατοικέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dwell among. From en and katoikeo; to settle down in a place, i.e. Reside -- dwell among. see GREEK en see GREEK katoikeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and katoikeó Definition to settle down in (a place), reside NASB Translation living (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1460: ἐγκατοικέωἐγκατοικέω (T WH ἐνκατοικέω, see ἐν, III. 3), ἐγκατοίκω; to dwell among: ἐν αὐτοῖς, among them, 2 Peter 2:8. (Very rare in secular writings as (Herodotus 4, 204); Euripides, fragment (188) quoted in Dio Chrysostom or. 73 fin; Polybius 18, 26, 13.) STRONGS NT 1460a: ἐγκαυχάομαιἐγκαυχάομαι (T WH ἐνκαυχάομαι, see ἐν, III. 3); to glory in: followed by ἐν with the dative of the object (Psalm 51:3 Enkatoikeō stands alongside other New Testament “dwelling” verbs such as katoikeō and enoikeō. While those two may describe ordinary residence or the indwelling of the Word and the Spirit in believers, enkatoikeō pushes the idea of living right in the middle of something—sharing its space, feeling its atmosphere, and being continually affected by it. Biblical Occurrence and Nuance The verb appears once in the Greek New Testament—2 Peter 2:8. Speaking of Lot, the apostle writes, “for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard”. The single occurrence is enough to show the distinctive flavor of the word: Lot did not merely have a house inside Sodom; he was engulfed by the city’s culture, sights, and sounds. His environment pressed on his conscience daily. Background in Hellenistic Usage Outside the New Testament, compound forms built on katoikeō were often used of armies encamped within captured cities or of citizens established in a colony. The imagery conveys more than temporary lodging; it is an embedded, almost inescapable presence. When Peter selects this verb, he draws on that cultural notion of thorough occupation to portray Lot’s moral tension. Theological Significance 1. Tension of Location and Identity Lot’s experience anticipates the church’s. Believers are “aliens and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11) even while they must “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Enkatoikeō sets up the paradox: God’s people remain situated within fallen structures yet do not share their values. 2. The Grief of the Righteous Peter underscores the emotional cost of faithful presence. Enkatoikeō illuminates why Lot’s soul was “tormented.” Proximity to wickedness vexes the one who loves holiness. The verb therefore reinforces the doctrine of sanctification as an ongoing inner conflict heightened by external surroundings. 3. Assurance of Divine Rescue In the flow of 2 Peter 2:4-9, the Spirit uses Lot’s situation to guarantee God’s deliverance of the godly and judgment on the ungodly. The verb heightens both truths: if God can rescue someone so deeply embedded in Sodom, He can certainly rescue any believer who finds himself surrounded by evil today. Illustrative Biblical Parallels • Genesis 19:1-29 – Historical narrative behind Peter’s reference. Connection with Other “Indwelling” Verbs • Enoikeō (Colossians 3:16; Romans 8:11) – The Word and the Spirit indwell believers. When evil enkatoikeō-pressures believers from the outside, the Spirit enoikeō-strengthens them from the inside, and Christ katoikeō-embodies fullness for them at all times. Ministry and Practical Application 1. Pastoral counsel: Expect soul-weariness when shepherding among immoral surroundings; strengthen consciences with prayer and Scripture. Doctrinal Implications • Perseverance – God’s preserving grace reaches believers embedded in hostile settings. Summary Enkatoikeō pictures a righteous life steeped in an unrighteous environment. In its lone New Testament appearance, the verb vividly portrays both the pain and the promise of believers who remain faithful while engulfed by corruption: their souls may be tormented, but their God will certainly deliver. |
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