1901. epekteinó

Lexicon

epekteinó: To stretch out, to extend, to reach forth

Original Word: ἐπεκτείνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epekteinó
Pronunciation: ep-ek-ti'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ek-ti'-nom-ahee)
Definition: To stretch out, to extend, to reach forth
Meaning: I strain after, stretch forward.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

reach forth.

Middle voice from epi and ekteino; to stretch (oneself) forward upon -- reach forth.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK ekteino

HELPS Word-studies

1901 epekteínomai (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" intensifying 1614 /ekteínō, "extend") – properly, extend (lay hold of) what is divinely acceptable (note the force of the prefix, epi).

1901 /epekteínomai ("aptly stretching intensely towards") is used only in Phil 3:13. It refers to the believer straining forward to reach "the full-impact resurrection" out from the realm of death given to them at Christ's return.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and ekteinó
Definition
to extend, mid. to stretch forward
NASB Translation
reaching forward (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1901: ἐπεκτείνω

ἐπεκτείνω: (present middle participle ἐπεκτεινόμενος); to stretch out to or toward; middle, to stretch (oneself) forward to: with the dative of thing indicating the direction (Winer's Grammar, § 52, 4, 7), Philippians 3:13 (14) (see ἔμπροσθεν, 1 at the end).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and the verb ἐκτείνω (ekteínō, meaning "to stretch" or "to extend").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπεκτείνω, similar concepts of stretching or extending oneself can be found in Hebrew verbs such as נָטָה (natah, Strong's H5186), meaning "to stretch out" or "to extend," and פָּרַשׂ (paras, Strong's H6566), meaning "to spread out" or "to stretch forth." These Hebrew terms are often used in the Old Testament to describe physical actions of stretching or extending, as well as metaphorical actions related to reaching out or expanding one's influence or territory.

Usage: The verb ἐπεκτείνω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of reaching or stretching forward, often in a metaphorical sense of striving or pursuing a goal.

Context: The Greek verb ἐπεκτείνω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the action of reaching forward or extending oneself towards a goal. This term is notably used by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Philippians, where he describes his spiritual pursuit and dedication to his calling in Christ.

In Philippians 3:13, Paul writes, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Here, ἐπεκτείνω is translated as "straining toward," illustrating the apostle's focused effort and determination to pursue his heavenly calling. The imagery of stretching forward conveys a sense of active engagement and perseverance in the Christian life, highlighting the importance of leaving behind past achievements or failures and pressing on towards future spiritual growth and fulfillment.

The use of ἐπεκτείνω in this passage underscores a key aspect of Christian discipleship: the continuous and intentional effort to grow in faith and holiness. It reflects the dynamic nature of the Christian journey, where believers are encouraged to actively pursue their relationship with Christ and the ultimate prize of eternal life.

Forms and Transliterations

επεκτεινομενος επεκτεινόμενος ἐπεκτεινόμενος επελπιζέτω επήλπισα επήλπισάς επήλπισεν epekteinomenos epekteinómenos

Englishman's Concordance

Philippians 3:13 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: δὲ ἔμπροσθεν ἐπεκτεινόμενος
NAS: what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead,
KJV: and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
INT: moreover before stretching out

Strong's Greek 1901
1 Occurrence

ἐπεκτεινόμενος — 1 Occ.