1755. energéma

Lexical Summary

energéma: Working, operation, effect

Original Word: ἐνέργημα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: energéma
Pronunciation: en-ER-gay-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (en-erg'-ay-mah)
KJV: operation, working
NASB: effecting, effects
Word Origin: [from G1754 (ἐνεργέω - works)]

1. an effect

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

an effect, activity

From energeo; an effect -- operation, working.

see GREEK energeo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1755 enérgēma (a neuter noun) – properly, energizings ("operations"), focusing on the results of God's "energy" (power) in people living in His faith (note the suffix, -ma). See 1754 (energeō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from energeó
Definition
an effect, operation
NASB Translation
effecting (1), effects (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1755: ἐνέργημα

ἐνέργημα, ἐνεργητος, τό (ἐνεργέω), thing wrought; effect, operation: plural (R. V. workings), 1 Corinthians 12:6; with the addition of the epexegetical genitive δυνάμεων, ibid. 10. (Polybius, Diodorus, Antoninus (others).)

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Field and Theological Outlook

The term signifies the concrete results produced when God actively exerts His power. It describes divine activity that goes beyond mere potential, highlighting visible, measurable effects wrought by God within His people. Closely allied concepts appear throughout Paul’s letters, each underscoring that spiritual vitality originates from God and not from human initiative (for example, Ephesians 1:19; Colossians 1:29).

Contextual Usage in 1 Corinthians 12

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul addresses divisions in Corinth by stressing the Spirit-given diversity that serves corporate unity. The two appearances of the word occur in this discussion:
• 1 Corinthians 12:6 reminds believers that “the same God works all things in all men”. Here the term embraces every Spirit-empowered manifestation, whether overtly miraculous or seemingly ordinary, demolishing any hierarchy of gifts.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10 narrows the focus to “the working of miracles”, identifying one particular charism in which God’s power interrupts natural processes for the church’s edification and the gospel’s advance. Together, the verses show that every spiritual gift—spectacular or quiet—derives from the same divine activity.

Relationship to Other Pauline Terms

Paul frequently builds on a family of words that convey divine energy:
• the verb that speaks of God “working in you” (Philippians 2:13);
• the noun that denotes “power” or “working” (Ephesians 3:7);
• the adjective describing things that are “effective” in Christ (Philemon 6).

By using such related terms, Paul constructs a theology in which the church’s life and mission are animated by God Himself. The occurrences in 1 Corinthians 12 anchor that theology to congregational practice.

Historical Background and Early Church Understanding

Early Christian writers testify that miraculous operations did not cease with the apostolic age but continued as God willed. Irenaeus, for instance, notes healings and prophetic gifts among ordinary believers. While some later communities emphasized spectacular manifestations, mainstream teachers insisted that every instance of holy service—preaching, generosity, administration, pastoral care—flowed from the same divine source identified by Paul.

Ministry Application and Contemporary Relevance

1. God remains the sole Author of authentic ministry results; therefore leaders rely on prayer and obedience rather than technique.
2. Diversity of operations calls for mutual honor within the body. Quiet gifts deserve the same recognition as dramatic ones (compare 1 Corinthians 12:22).
3. Believers are encouraged to expect God’s present activity, balanced by discernment and submission to Scriptural truth (1 John 4:1).
4. The listing of “working of miracles” reminds modern congregations that supernatural interventions serve evangelistic and pastoral purposes, never personal acclaim.

Related Biblical Themes

• Unity amid diversity (Romans 12:4–6)
• Empowerment for service (Acts 1:8)
• Spiritual gifts and love (1 Corinthians 13)
• God’s ongoing work in believers (Hebrews 13:20–21)

Key Scripture References

1 Corinthians 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 1:19; Colossians 1:29; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:7; Romans 12:4–6

Forms and Transliterations

ενεργηματα ενεργήματα ἐνεργήματα ενεργηματων ενεργημάτων ἐνεργημάτων energemata energēmata energḗmata energematon energemáton energēmatōn energēmátōn

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 12:6 N-GNP
GRK: καὶ διαιρέσεις ἐνεργημάτων εἰσίν καὶ
NAS: There are varieties of effects, but the same
KJV: diversities of operations, but
INT: and varieties of working there are but

1 Corinthians 12:10 N-NNP
GRK: ἄλλῳ δὲ ἐνεργήματα δυνάμεων ἄλλῳ
NAS: and to another the effecting of miracles,
KJV: To another the working of miracles;
INT: to another moreover working of miracles to another

Strong's Greek 1755
2 Occurrences

ἐνεργήματα — 1 Occ.
ἐνεργημάτων — 1 Occ.