1971. epipotheó

Lexical Summary

epipotheó: To long for, to yearn, to desire earnestly

Original Word: ἐπιποθέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epipotheó
Pronunciation: ep-ee-poth-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-poth-eh'-o)
KJV: (earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after), lust
NASB: longing, long, desires, yearn
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and potheo "to yearn"]

1. to dote upon, i.e. intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

earnestly desire, greatly long after

From epi and potheo (to yearn); to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully) -- (earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after), lust.

see GREEK epi

HELPS Word-studies

1971 epipothéō (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" intensifying potheō, "yearn for") – properly, to long for, especially as it is fitting (apt) – i.e. builds on (Gk epi, "upon") the objective.

[This root (epipoth-) means "yearn affectionately," having "a great affection for, to have a yearning love for," L & N, 1, 25.47), i.e. to "long for, strain after, desire greatly" (Souter).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and potheó (to yearn)
Definition
to long for
NASB Translation
desires (1), long (3), longing (4), yearn (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1971: ἐπιποθέω

ἐπιποθέω, ἐπιποθῶ; 1 aorist ἐπεπόθησα; properly, ποθον ἔχω ἐπί τί (i. e. ἐπί is directive, not intensive; cf. ἐπί, D. 2) (cf. Fritzsche on Romans, vol. i., p. 30f); to long for, desire: followed by the infinitive 2 Corinthians 5:2; ἰδεῖν τινα, Romans 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Timothy 1:4; Philippians 2:26 L brackets WH text brackets; τί, 1 Peter 2:2 (ἐπί τί, Psalm 41:2 ()); τινα to be possessed with a desire for, long for (Winer's Grammar, § 30, 10 b.), Philippians 2:26 R G T Tr WH marginal reading; to pursue with love, to tong after: 2 Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 1:8 (τάς ἐντολάς Θεοῦ, Psalm 118:131 ()); absolutely to lust (i. e. harbor forbidden desire): James 4:5, on which passage see φθόνος. (Herodotus, Plato, Diodorus, Plutarch, Lucian.)

Topical Lexicon

Essence of the Term

The verb denotes an intense, affectionate yearning that moves a person toward the one desired. It is never mere sentiment; it is a powerful impulse that seeks real communion or tangible action. In Scripture this longing is always portrayed as good, holy, Spirit–wrought, and covenantal.

Contexts in the New Testament

• Personal affection within Christ’s family – Romans 1:11; Philippians 1:8; Philippians 2:26; 2 Timothy 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:6 all reveal apostles and coworkers “longing” to see fellow believers. The longing is not nostalgia; it aims at mutual strengthening, shared joy, and continued progress in the gospel.
• Desire for spiritual formation – 1 Peter 2:2 urges new believers, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” The longing is directed toward the means of grace that mature the soul.
• Eschatological yearning – 2 Corinthians 5:2, “For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.” The believer’s yearning reaches beyond the present age toward resurrection life.
• Divine jealousy – James 4:5, “The Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy.” Here the verb describes the Spirit’s own zeal for undivided loyalty from God’s people.
• Fellowship generated by generosity – 2 Corinthians 9:14 pictures recipients of aid “longing” for their benefactors because of God’s grace displayed through them. Gospel giving forges deep affection that overflows in intercessory prayer.

Theological Significance

1. Work of the Spirit. The Spirit both implants longing in believers (Romans 8:23) and Himself yearns for their exclusive devotion (James 4:5). Holy desire is therefore evidence of regeneration.
2. Bond of the body. Longing for fellow saints proves the reality of spiritual kinship (Philippians 1:8). It guards churches from cold formalism, drawing them into self-giving service.
3. Catalyst for mission. Paul’s yearning to visit Rome (Romans 1:11) or Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:6) energizes missionary journeys, epistles, and intercession. Godly longing thus propels the advance of the gospel.
4. Antidote to worldliness. Yearning for heaven (2 Corinthians 5:2) reorders priorities, weakening the grip of temporal comforts and trials alike.
5. Measure of maturity. Craving the “pure spiritual milk” (1 Peter 2:2) is a sign of healthy infancy in Christ, while continued yearning for deeper fellowship and final glory marks progressing adulthood.

Historical Witness

Early Christian writers echoed this theme. Ignatius of Antioch wrote to the Romans about his “passion to be with Christ,” displaying the same eschatological epipotheō of 2 Corinthians 5:2. In the second century, the Didache urged believers to “be found perfect and prepared,” linking anticipation of the Lord’s return with moral vigilance.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Cultivate holy appetites. Regular exposure to Scripture, prayer, and fellowship enlarges godly longing and starves sinful cravings.
• Affirm affectionate language. Believers should not hesitate to express deep yearning for one another; such speech is apostolic and builds up the church.
• Channel longing into action. Desire inspires prayer (2 Corinthians 9:14), visitation, practical aid, church planting, and perseverance in suffering.
• Sustain pilgrim hope. Preaching and worship that lift minds to the heavenly dwelling strengthen saints for present obedience.
• Guard exclusive devotion to God. James 4:5 warns that competing affections grieve the indwelling Spirit; believers must therefore renounce friendship with the world.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 1971 captures a sanctified, Spirit-kindled yearning that shapes personal holiness, corporate life, and eschatological hope. Wherever it appears, it calls believers to deeper communion—first with God, then with His people—while orienting their hearts toward the consummation of all things in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

επεπόθησα επεπόθησε επεπόθησεν επεπόθουν επιποθει επιποθεί ἐπιποθεῖ επιποθησατε επιποθήσατε ἐπιποθήσατε επιποθήσω επιποθουντες επιποθούντες ἐπιποθοῦντες επιποθουντων επιποθούντων ἐπιποθούντων επιποθω επιποθώ ἐπιποθῶ επιποθων επιποθών ἐπιποθῶν epipothei epipotheî epipothesate epipothēsate epipothḗsate epipotho epipothô epipothō epipothō̂ epipothon epipothôn epipothōn epipothō̂n epipothountes epipothoûntes epipothounton epipothountōn epipothoúnton epipothoúntōn

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 1:11 V-PIA-1S
GRK: ἐπιποθῶ γὰρ ἰδεῖν
NAS: For I long to see you so
KJV: For I long to see you,
INT: I long indeed to see

2 Corinthians 5:2 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: οὐρανοῦ ἐπενδύσασθαι ἐπιποθοῦντες
NAS: [house] we groan, longing to be clothed
KJV: we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon
INT: heaven to be clothed with longing

2 Corinthians 9:14 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐπιποθούντων ὑμᾶς διὰ
NAS: on your behalf, yearn for you because
KJV: for you, which long after you for
INT: for you a longing for you on account of

Philippians 1:8 V-PIA-1S
GRK: θεός ὡς ἐπιποθῶ πάντας ὑμᾶς
NAS: how I long for you all
KJV: how greatly I long after you
INT: God [is] how I long after all you

Philippians 2:26 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἐπειδὴ ἐπιποθῶν ἦν πάντας
NAS: because he was longing for you all
KJV: For he longed after you all,
INT: since longing after he was all

1 Thessalonians 3:6 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν
NAS: kindly of us, longing to see
KJV: always, desiring greatly to see
INT: good always longing us to see

2 Timothy 1:4 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἐπιποθῶν σε ἰδεῖν
NAS: longing to see you, even as I recall
KJV: Greatly desiring to see thee,
INT: longing you to see

James 4:5 V-PIA-3S
GRK: Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα
NAS: He jealously desires the Spirit
KJV: in us lusteth to envy?
INT: with envy does long the Spirit

1 Peter 2:2 V-AMA-2P
GRK: ἄδολον γάλα ἐπιποθήσατε ἵνα ἐν
NAS: newborn babies, long for the pure milk
KJV: newborn babes, desire the sincere milk
INT: pure milk long you after that by

Strong's Greek 1971
9 Occurrences

ἐπιποθήσατε — 1 Occ.
ἐπιποθεῖ — 1 Occ.
ἐπιποθῶ — 2 Occ.
ἐπιποθῶν — 2 Occ.
ἐπιποθοῦντες — 2 Occ.
ἐπιποθούντων — 1 Occ.