1991. epistérizó

Lexicon

epistérizó: To strengthen, to support, to establish

Original Word: ἐπιστηρίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epistérizó
Pronunciation: eh-pee-stay-REE-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-stay-rid'-zo)
Definition: To strengthen, to support, to establish
Meaning: I prop up, uphold, support, confirm, make stronger.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

confirm, strengthen.

From epi and sterizo; to support further, i.e. Reestablish -- confirm, strengthen.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK sterizo

HELPS Word-studies

1991 epistērízō (from 1909 /epí, "suitably on, fitting" and 4741 /stērízō, "make firm") – properly, "prop up, uphold, support, confirm" (Souter), i.e. support (establish) in an apt, fitting way; to confirm as it builds on the Lord's previous work of faith (note the force of the prefix epi, "upon"). This process strengthens by extending the understanding that precedes, as it supports what must follow.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and stérizó
Definition
to make stronger
NASB Translation
strengthened (1), strengthening (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1991: ἐπιστηρίζω

ἐπιστηρίζω; 1 aorist ἐπεστηριξα; a later word; to establish besides, strengthen more; to render more firm, confirm: τινα, one's Christian faith, Acts 14:22; Acts 15:32, 41; Acts 18:23 R G.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἐπί (epi, meaning "upon" or "over") and στηρίζω (stērízō, meaning "to establish" or "to strengthen").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἐπιστηρίζω, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words such as חָזַק (chazaq, Strong's Hebrew 2388), meaning "to strengthen" or "to make strong," and אָמַץ (amats, Strong's Hebrew 553), meaning "to be strong" or "to be courageous." These terms reflect the Old Testament emphasis on divine and communal support in the life of faith.

Usage: The term ἐπιστηρίζω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of strengthening or encouraging believers, particularly in their faith and spiritual journey.

Context: The Greek verb ἐπιστηρίζω appears in the New Testament in contexts where the apostles and early church leaders sought to fortify the faith of believers. This strengthening was not merely physical or emotional but was deeply rooted in spiritual encouragement and doctrinal affirmation.

In Acts 14:22, Paul and Barnabas are described as "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith," highlighting the pastoral role of reinforcing the believers' commitment to their faith amidst trials and tribulations. The use of ἐπιστηρίζω here underscores the necessity of ongoing support and encouragement in the Christian life, especially in the face of persecution and hardship.

Similarly, in Acts 15:32, Judas and Silas, who were prophets, "said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." This passage illustrates the role of prophetic ministry in the early church as a means of edification and fortification of the community's faith.

The concept of ἐπιστηρίζω is integral to understanding the apostolic mission, which involved not only the proclamation of the gospel but also the nurturing and sustaining of the fledgling Christian communities. This strengthening was essential for the perseverance of the believers and the growth of the church.

Forms and Transliterations

επεστήρικτο επεστηριξαν επεστήριξαν ἐπεστήριξαν επεστήριξας επεστηρίχθη επεστηρίχθην επιστηριζομένη επιστηριζοντες επιστηρίζοντες ἐπιστηρίζοντες επιστηριζων επιστηρίζων ἐπιστηρίζων επιστηρισθή επιστηριχθή επιστηριώ επιστοιβάσουσιν epesterixan epestērixan epestḗrixan episterizon episterízon epistērizōn epistērízōn episterizontes episterízontes epistērizontes epistērízontes

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 14:22 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἐπιστηρίζοντες τὰς ψυχὰς
NAS: strengthening the souls
KJV: Confirming the souls of the disciples,
INT: strengthening the souls

Acts 15:32 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἀδελφοὺς καὶ ἐπεστήριξαν
NAS: encouraged and strengthened the brethren
KJV: words, and confirmed [them].
INT: brothers and strengthened [them]

Acts 15:41 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: τὴν Κιλικίαν ἐπιστηρίζων τὰς ἐκκλησίας
NAS: and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
KJV: and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
INT: Cilicia strengthening the churches

Acts 18:23 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: καὶ Φρυγίαν ἐπιστηρίζων πάντας τοὺς
INT: and Phrygian strengthening all the

Strong's Greek 1991
4 Occurrences

ἐπεστήριξαν — 1 Occ.
ἐπιστηρίζων — 2 Occ.
ἐπιστηρίζοντες — 1 Occ.