Lexical Summary ekluó: To faint, to grow weary, to lose heart Original Word: ἐκλύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance faint. From ek and luo; to relax (literally or figuratively) -- faint. see GREEK ek see GREEK luo HELPS Word-studies 1590 eklýō (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 3089 /lýō, "loose, let go") – properly, let completely out as to (entirely) succumb, i.e. with the outcome of losing inner strength; hence, to become weary (exhausted), to the point of fainting. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and luó Definition to loose, release, to grow weary NASB Translation faint (3), grow weary (1), lose (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1590: ἐκλύωἐκλύω: (passive, present ἐκλύομαι); perfect participle ἐκλελυμένος; 1 aorist ἐξελυθην; 1 future ἐκλυθήσομαι; often in Greek writings from (Homer), Aeschylus down; 1. to loose, unloose (cf. German auslösen), to set free: τινα τίνος and ἐκ τίνος. 2. to dissolve; metaphorically, to weaken, relax, exhaust (the Sept. Joshua 10:6; Jeremiah 45:4 b. to despond, become faint-hearted: Hebrews 12:5 (Deuteronomy 20:3; Proverbs 3:11); with ταῖς ψυχαῖς added, Hebrews 12:3; τοῖς σωμασι, ταῖς ψυχαῖς, Polybius 20, 4, 7; τῇ ψυχή, 29, 6, 14; 40, 12, 7; cf. Grimm on 1 Macc. 9:8; 2 Macc. 3:24. The verb ἐκλύω appears five times in the New Testament, spanning the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:3) and epistolary exhortations (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:3, 5). In every setting it marks the critical moment when physical weariness or emotional discouragement threatens faithful obedience, thus tying bodily need and spiritual perseverance together in a single biblical theme. Encouragement in Christian Perseverance (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:3) Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” Here ἐκλύω warns against spiritual fatigue in ongoing service. The future harvest is not hypothetical; it is a sure promise contingent on continuing faithfulness. Believers are urged to resist resignation precisely because God has guaranteed fruition. Hebrews 12:3: “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Christ’s endurance supplies both the motive and the model preventing believers from collapsing under persecution. By linking ἐκλύω with hostile opposition, the writer shows that spiritual exhaustion can be overcome by fixing one’s gaze on the crucified and exalted Lord. Discipline as an Antidote to Spiritual Fainting (Hebrews 12:5) Hebrews 12:5 cites Proverbs to remind readers that the Lord’s corrective training is evidence of sonship: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you”. Divine chastening, rather than producing despair, is meant to strengthen moral fiber. The passage positions ἐκλύω at the intersection of divine sovereignty and filial trust, revealing that the same Father who allows hardship supplies sustaining grace. Physical Weakness and Christ’s Compassionate Provision (Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:3) Both feeding miracles spotlight Jesus’ concern that the crowds “may faint on the way.” Matthew 15:32: “I have compassion for this crowd… I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint on the way.” Mark 8:3: “If I send them away hungry… they will faint on the way.” Here ἐκλύω describes literal collapse from hunger during a journey. Jesus responds with creative provision, underscoring that the Messiah ministers to whole persons—body and soul. The miracles prefigure His later spiritual sustenance: just as He multiplies bread to avert physical fainting, so He offers Himself as living bread to prevent spiritual apostasy. Historical Considerations in Early Christian Communities The first-century church faced relentless external pressures—social ostracism, economic deprivation, and intermittent persecution. The writers of Galatians and Hebrews deploy ἐκλύω to confront the very real temptation to abandon costly discipleship. Within this climate, the term became a pastoral watchword reminding believers that perseverance is not optional but enabled by divine promise and example. Doctrinal Insights 1. Perseverance of the saints: ἐκλύω texts affirm that genuine believers, though tempted to lose heart, will ultimately be kept by God’s power as they heed apostolic exhortations. Practical Applications for Ministry Today • Encourage weary servants by linking present labor to promised harvest. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 15:32 V-ASP-3PGRK: μή ποτε ἐκλυθῶσιν ἐν τῇ NAS: hungry, for they might faint on the way. KJV: fasting, lest they faint in the way. INT: not lesst they faint on the Mark 8:3 V-FIP-3P Galatians 6:9 V-PPM/P-NMP Hebrews 12:3 V-PPM/P-NMP Hebrews 12:5 V-PMM/P-2S Strong's Greek 1590 |
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