Lexical Summary enoikeó: To dwell in, to inhabit Original Word: ἐνοικέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dwell in. From en and oikeo; to inhabit (figuratively) -- dwell in. see GREEK en see GREEK oikeo HELPS Word-studies 1774 enoikéō (from 1722 /en "in," intensifying 3611 /oikéō, "dwell" at home, in one's personal residence) – properly, dwelling in a state (condition), i.e. at home; to inhabit ("in-habit") as one's personal residence (abiding indwelling). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and oikeó Definition to dwell in NASB Translation dwell (2), dwells (2), dwelt (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1774: ἐνοικέωἐνοικέω, ἐνοίκω; future ἐνοικήσω; 1 aorist ἐνώκησα; the Sept. for יָשַׁב; to dwell in; in the N. T. with ἐν τίνι, the dative of person in one, everywhere metaphorically, to dwell in one and influence him (for good): ἐν τίνι, in a person's soul, of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:11; 2 Timothy 1:14; of πίστις, 2 Timothy 1:5; (of sin, Romans 7:17 T WH (for simple οἰκεῖν)); ἐν ὑμῖν; in your assembly, of Christian truth, Colossians 3:16; ἐν αὐτοῖς, in a Christian church, of God, 2 Corinthians 6:16, cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16; (others understand the phrase in Colossians and Corinthians, the passages cited, internally, in your hearts; but see Meyer). STRONGS NT 1774a: ἐνορκίζωἐνορκίζω; to adjure, put under oath, solemnly entreat, with two accusatives, one of him who is adjured, one of him by whom he is adjured (Buttmann, 147 (128)): 1 Thessalonians 5:27 L T Tr WH, for R G ὁρκίζω (on the infinitive following, cf. Buttmann, 276 (237)). Elsewhere not found except once (twice) in middle ἐνορκίζομαι in Boeckh, Inscriptions ii., p. 42, no. 1933; (and Josephus, Antiquities 8, 15, 4 Dindorf, also Bekker); the substantive ἐνορκισμος occurs in Synes. (1413 b. Migne); once also ἐνορκέω in Schol. ad Lucian, Catapl c. 23 ἐνόρκω σε κατά τοῦ πατρός; (to which Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word, adds Porph. Adm. 208, 18 ἐνόρκω σε εἰς τόν Θεόν ἵνα ἀπέλθῃς). Strong’s Greek 1774 centres on the idea of an active, continuing “indwelling.” Across its five New Testament occurrences the term frames a rich biblical theology that traces the covenant promise of God’s presence from the tabernacle through to the believer’s inner life. It describes (1) God Himself dwelling among His people, (2) the Holy Spirit dwelling within the individual, (3) the Word of Christ dwelling richly in the congregation, and (4) sincere faith dwelling in successive generations of believers. Together these uses portray the Church as the living temple in which God’s life, truth and power reside. Key New Testament Occurrences “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Paul appropriates Ezekiel’s temple‐restoration promise to affirm that the Corinthian believers themselves are now the holy sanctuary. The verb’s future tense underscores the certainty of this covenant reality birthed through the gospel. 2. Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Here indwelling is personal and transformative: the same Spirit who effected resurrection power in Christ presently resides in believers, pledging bodily resurrection and present sanctification. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” The corporate imperative places Scripture at the heart of worship, discipleship and mutual care; rich indwelling of the Word produces rich fellowship and doxology. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.” Indwelling faith is pictured as a living inheritance, highlighting the Spirit’s work through godly family nurture. “Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” The Holy Spirit’s indwelling enables faithful stewardship of apostolic truth amid opposition. Theology of the Indwelling Presence God’s redemptive aim has always been to dwell with His people (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 29:45; Revelation 21:3). The New Testament occurrences of 1774 reveal the fulfilment of that aim on multiple levels: • Covenant Realisation – In 2 Corinthians 6:16 Paul cites Levitical and prophetic promises to show that the Church is already the eschatological temple. The indwelling presence is not contingent on geography or ritual but on union with Christ. • Trinitarian Scope – The Father’s promise (2 Corinthians 6:16), the Spirit’s operation (Romans 8:11; 2 Timothy 1:14), and the Word of the Son (Colossians 3:16) all “dwell” in believers. Indwelling is thus a distinctly Trinitarian reality. • Regeneration and Sanctification – Romans 8 sets indwelling in contrast to the flesh. The Spirit’s residency guarantees both current mortification of sin and future bodily glorification. • Ecclesial Implications – Colossians 3 moves from the individual heart to the gathered church. The quality of congregational life is measured by how richly the Word abides, shaping doctrine, worship and mutual admonition. • Continuity of Faith – 2 Timothy 1:5 shows indwelling faith as generational, impressing parents and church leaders with the responsibility of intentional discipleship. Historical Development Old Testament worship centred on spaces where God “tabernacled” (mishkan) or “dwelt” (shakan). The portable tent, Solomon’s temple, and the post‐exilic second temple each prefigured a deeper indwelling that would come through the Messiah. With the incarnation, “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14), and through Pentecost the divine presence took up residence in every believer. Early Christian writers such as Ignatius and Irenaeus repeatedly echoed Paul’s language, calling the Church “the temple of God” and urging believers to keep themselves unstained because of the Spirit’s indwelling holiness. Ministry Significance 1. Discipleship and Teaching A ministry that prizes the indwelling Word (Colossians 3:16) cultivates Scripture‐saturated gatherings, promoting theological depth and practical obedience. 2. Assurance and Perseverance Romans 8:11 anchors believers’ confidence in the Spirit’s presence, empowering holy living and reinforcing hope of resurrection. 3. Stewardship of Doctrine 2 Timothy 1:14 pairs indwelling Spirit with safeguarding “the treasure”—a pattern for pastors defending apostolic truth against error. 4. Intergenerational Faith Formation 2 Timothy 1:5 encourages family catechesis and the vital role of godly heritage within local congregations. 5. Holiness and Separation 2 Corinthians 6:16 motivates moral purity and missional distinctiveness, for the indwelling God walks among His people. Doctrinal Implications • Union with Christ – Indwelling is covenantal, inseparable from the believer’s position in Christ. Related Themes Abiding (John 15), Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), Filling of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), New Covenant Promise (Jeremiah 31:33), Shekinah Glory. Summary Strong’s Greek 1774 presents a multifaceted portrait of divine residency. The Father promises to live among His people, the Word of Christ inhabits their fellowship, the Holy Spirit indwells their hearts, and sincere faith takes root across generations. This indwelling forms the basis for Christian identity, worship, doctrine and hope, revealing the Church as the present and future dwelling place of the living God. Englishman's Concordance Romans 8:11 V-PPA-GNSGRK: διὰ τοῦ ἐνοικοῦντος αὐτοῦ πνεύματος KJV: his Spirit that dwelleth in you. INT: on account of that dwells his Spirit 2 Corinthians 6:16 V-FIA-1S Colossians 3:16 V-PMA-3S 2 Timothy 1:5 V-AIA-3S 2 Timothy 1:14 V-PPA-GNS Strong's Greek 1774 |
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