Lexical Summary helkó: To draw, to drag Original Word: ἕλκω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance draw. Or helko hel'-ko; probably akin to haireomai; to drag (literally or figuratively) -- draw. Compare helisso. see GREEK haireomai see GREEK helisso HELPS Word-studies 1670 helkýō – properly, induce (draw in), focusing on the attraction-power involved with the drawing. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to drag NASB Translation drag (1), dragged (2), draw (1), draws (1), drew (2), haul (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1670: ἑλκύωἑλκύω, see ἕλκω. STRONGS NT 1670: ἕλκωἕλκω (and in later writings ἑλκύω also (Veitch, under the word; Winer's Grammar, 86 (82))); imperfect εἷλκον (Acts 21:30); future ἑλκύσω (ἑλκύσω Rec.elz John 12:32); 1 aorist εἵλκυσα ((infinitive (John 21:6) ἑλκύσαι Rbez elz L T WH, ἑλκύσαι R {s} G Tr); cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. § 114, vol. ii., p. 171; Krüger, § 40, under the word; (Lob. Paralip., p. 35f; Veitch, under the word)); from Homer down; the Sept. for מָשַׁך; to draw; 1. properly: τό δίκτυον, John 21:6, 11; μάχαιραν, i. e. unsheathe, John 18:10 (Sophocles Ant. 1208 (1233), etc.); τινα, a person forcibly and against his will (our drag, drag off), ἔξω τοῦ ἱεροῦ, Acts 21:30; εἰς τήν ἀγοράν, Acts 16:19; εἰς κριτήρια, James 2:6 (πρός τόν δῆμον, Aristophanes eqq. 710; and in Latin, as Caesar b. g. 1, 53 (54, 4)cumtriniscatenisvinctustraheretur, Livy 2, 27cumalictoribusjamtraheretur). 2. metaphorically, to draw by inward power, lead, impel: John 6:44 (so in Greek also; as ἐπιθυμίας ... ἑλκουσης ἐπί ἡδονάς, Plato, Phaedr., p. 238 a.; ὑπό τῆς ἡδονῆς ἑλκόμενοι, Aelian h. a. 6, 31; likewise 4 Macc. 14:13; 15:8 (11).trahitsuaquemquevoluptas, Vergil, ecl. 2, 65); πάντας ἑλκύσω πρός ἐμαυτόν, I by my moral, my spiritual, influence will win over to myself the hearts of all, John 12:32. Cf. Meyer on John 6:44; (Trench, § 21, Compare: ἐξέλκω.) The verb translated “to draw” or “to drag” appears eight times: John 6:44; John 12:32; John 18:10; John 21:6; John 21:11; Acts 16:19; Acts 21:30; James 2:6. Its range stretches from the violent seizing of people, to the hauling of fish, to the gracious attraction of sinners to Christ. Physical Compulsion and Public Hostility In Acts 16:19 and Acts 21:30 the word describes the rough treatment believers received from hostile crowds. Paul and Silas are “dragged into the marketplace before the rulers,” while Paul is later “dragged out of the temple.” James 2:6 exposes the scandal of favoritism by reminding readers that the wealthy often “drag you into court.” These passages highlight that the gospel frequently meets with outward opposition, a pattern consistent with the Lord’s warning that His followers would face persecution (John 15:20). The church must therefore prepare believers not only for persuasive proclamation but also for potential coercion and injustice. Instrumental Action by Disciples John 18:10 records Peter’s impulsive act: “Simon Peter drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.” The same verb that can depict God’s saving initiative is here employed for a misguided attempt to defend the Messiah by force, underscoring that zeal untempered by wisdom can distort the very mission believers seek to advance. Drawing Nets and Missional Symbolism Twice in John 21 the word pictures the disciples’ labor with the miraculous catch of fish. After the risen Jesus instructs them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, “they were unable to haul it in, because of the great number of fish” (John 21:6). Later Peter “hauled the net ashore” (John 21:11). The physical struggle foreshadows the apostolic mission about to unfold: a multitude will be gathered into the kingdom, yet only by reliance on Christ’s direction and strength. The unbroken net testifies to the sufficiency of divine provision for the church’s global harvest. Divine Initiative in Salvation The deepest theological weight falls on the two statements of Jesus in John 6:44 and John 12:32. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44) “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” (John 12:32) Here the verb conveys an irresistible, effectual attraction grounded in sovereign grace. The context of John 6 emphasizes the inability of human nature apart from God’s action; the Father’s drawing results in saving faith and resurrection life. John 12 projects forward to the crucifixion, where the exalted Christ becomes the magnet for all peoples, fulfilling the earlier promise to bless the nations through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3). Consistent Theological Themes 1. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist: God draws, and people come. Pastoral and Missional Applications • Encourage prayer that the Father would draw hearts, confident that genuine conversion is a supernatural work. Historical Significance for Ministry Early Christian preaching, as recorded in Acts, advanced amid violent resistance, yet the same verb testifies that God was simultaneously drawing multitudes. The apostolic era models a church both persecuted and powerfully attractive—a pattern that continues wherever Christ is faithfully proclaimed. Conclusion Whether depicting nets filled with fish, apostles seized by mobs, or sinners summoned to the Savior, this verb binds together the tangible and the spiritual. It calls believers to trust the divine pull that rescues, sustains, and ultimately raises up all who are drawn to the crucified and risen Christ. Englishman's Concordance John 6:44 V-ASA-3SGRK: πέμψας με ἑλκύσῃ αὐτόν κἀγὼ NAS: who sent Me draws him; and I will raise KJV: hath sent me draw him: and INT: having sent me draws him and I John 12:32 V-FIA-1S John 18:10 V-AIA-3S John 21:6 V-ANA John 21:11 V-AIA-3S Acts 16:19 V-AIA-3P Acts 21:30 V-IIA-3P James 2:6 V-PIA-3P Strong's Greek 1670 |
    |