Lexical Summary epechó: To hold upon, to hold fast, to pay attention to, to give heed to. Original Word: ἐπέχω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance take heed unto, hold forth, mark, stay. From epi and echo; to hold upon, i.e. (by implication) to retain; (by extension) to detain; (with implication, of nous) to pay attention to -- give (take) heed unto, hold forth, mark, stay. see GREEK epi see GREEK echo see GREEK nous NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and echó Definition to hold fast, to hold toward, to stop NASB Translation give...attention (1), holding fast (1), noticed (1), pay close attention (1), stayed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1907: ἐπέχωἐπέχω; imperfect ἐπειχον; 2 aorist ἐπέσχον; 1. to have or hold upon, apply: namely, τόν νοῦν, to observe, attend to, followed by an indirect question, Luke 14:7; τίνι, dative of person, to give attention to one, Acts 3:5; 1 Timothy 4:16 (with the dative of a thing, Sir. 31:2 (Sir. 34:2); 2 Macc. 9:25; Polybius 3, 43, 2, etc.; fully ὀφθαλμόν τίνι, Lucian, dial. mar. 1, 2). 2. to hold toward, hold forth, present: λόγον ζωῆς, as a light, by which illumined ye are the lights of the world, Philippians 2:16 (others besides, cf. Meyer or Ellicott at the passage). 3. to check ((cf. English hold up), German anhalten): namely, ἐμαυτόν, to delay, stop, stay, Acts 19:22, and in Greek writings from Homer down; (cf. Winers Grammar, § 38, 1; Buttmann, 144 (126); Fritzsche on Sir. 5:1). Strong’s Greek 1907 appears five times. In each setting the verb marks a deliberate focusing or purposeful delay that serves a greater spiritual or missional goal. • Acts 3:5 – The beggar “gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.” His fixed gaze precedes the miracle, illustrating how attentive expectation becomes the doorway for divine provision. Semantic and Contextual Nuances While the surface actions differ—gazing, observing, lingering, clinging—the underlying motif is concentrated commitment. Whether the subject is a needy beggar, the incarnate Son, an itinerant missionary, or the corporate church, the verb signals an intentional holding or fixing that rejects distraction. The New Testament writers press this nuance into service to describe: 1. Spiritual receptivity (Acts 3:5). Historical and Cultural Background In secular Greek the term could refer to anchoring a ship or applying sustained pressure. Within Hellenistic rhetoric it described holding an audience’s attention. The New Testament flows naturally from this setting yet elevates the concept: attention is no mere intellectual exercise but a conduit of redemptive power and sanctifying truth. Theological Significance 1. Perseverance of the Saints – The call to “hold fast to the word of life” (Philippians 2:16) reinforces the biblical doctrine that genuine believers persevere through Spirit-enabled vigilance. Ministry Applications Personal Discipleship Corporate Leadership Evangelism and Apologetics Intertextual Echoes Septuagint parallels (for example, holding fast to the covenant in Deuteronomy 10:20) reveal continuity between Old and New Testaments—God’s people are ever called to cling to His revelation. Classical usages concerning anchoring further enrich the metaphor: believers are “held” by hope “as an anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 6:19), even though a different Greek term is used there, the conceptual overlap is striking. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 1907, scattered sparingly across the New Testament, consistently underscores resolute attention that anchors faith, refines character, and advances mission. Wherever it appears, the Holy Spirit weds focused intent with transformative effect, urging every generation of believers to fix eyes, minds, and schedules upon the Lord and His trustworthy Word. Englishman's Concordance Luke 14:7 V-PPA-NMSGRK: κεκλημένους παραβολήν ἐπέχων πῶς τὰς NAS: to the invited guests when He noticed how KJV: those which were bidden, when he marked how INT: were invited a parable remarking how the Acts 3:5 V-IIA-3S Acts 19:22 V-AIA-3S Philippians 2:16 V-PPA-NMP 1 Timothy 4:16 V-PMA-2S Strong's Greek 1907 |
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