Lexical Summary zóogoneó: To preserve alive, to give life, to keep alive Original Word: ζῳογονέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance live, preserve. From the same as zoon and a derivative of ginomai; to engender alive, i.e. (by analogy) to rescue (passively, be saved) from death -- live, preserve. see GREEK zoon see GREEK ginomai HELPS Word-studies 2225 zōogonéō – properly, preserve alive (used in antiquity to "bring forth alive," J. Thayer). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as zóon and ginomai Definition to preserve alive NASB Translation gives life (1), preserve (1), survive (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2225: ζοωγονέωζοωγονέω, ζοωγόνω; future ζοωγονήσω; present infinitive passive ζοωγονεῖσθαι; (from ζοωγονος viviparous, and this from ζοως and ΓΑΝΩ); 1. properly, to bring forth alive (Theophrastus, Diodorus, Lucian, Plutarch, others). 2. to give life (Theophrastus, de caus. pl. 4, 15, 4; Ath. 7, p. 298 c.): τά πάντα, of God, 1 Timothy 6:13 L T Tr WH ((1 Samuel 2:6)). 3. in the Bible to preserve alive: τήν ψυχήν, Luke 17:33; passive Acts 7:19. (For הֶחֱיָה, Exodus 1:17; Judges 8:19; (1 Samuel 27:9, 11; 1 Kings 21:31 ( Strong’s Greek 2225 expresses the act of keeping alive, safeguarding life, or imparting life. Though used only three times in the New Testament, the verb gathers into one word a truth that spans Scripture: life is God’s gift, sustained by Him alone, and rightly stewarded by His people. Old Testament Foundations From Genesis forward the Creator is portrayed as breathing life into Adam (Genesis 2:7), preserving Noah through judgment (Genesis 7:23), and shielding Israel in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 32:10). Hebrew verbs such as ḥayah (“to live”) form the conceptual backdrop, stressing both physical survival and covenantal vitality. The Exodus episode especially—where midwives “let the boys live” contrary to Pharaoh’s decree—foreshadows the New Testament’s employment of Strong’s 2225. New Testament Usage “Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Here the verb frames a paradox of discipleship. Self-preservation anchored in this world ends in loss; surrender to Christ results in true preservation. The saying forces believers to evaluate motives, priorities, and loyalties, reminding them that only God-secured life endures. “He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so that they would be exposed to death.” Stephen recounts Pharaoh’s strategy: to prevent Israelite males from “being kept alive.” The verb underlines Satanic hostility toward the promised Seed and highlights God’s counteraction through deliverers such as Moses. The Church sees in this text a call to protect the defenseless and trust God’s overruling providence when evil seeks to extinguish life. “I charge you before God, who gives life to all things…” Paul grounds Timothy’s charge in God’s universal life-giving authority. The present participle depicts an ongoing activity: God continuously sustains everything in existence. Ministry, therefore, operates under divine scrutiny and enabling power; fidelity is warranted because the One who assigns the task also animates the servant. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty: The Lord not only initiates life but also actively preserves it. His sustaining work spans creation, redemption, and consummation. Historical and Ministry Implications • Pro-Life Ethic: Acts 7:19 warns of regimes that devalue life; Christians labor to protect the unborn, infirm, and aged, confident that God vindicates those who preserve life. Doctrinal Synthesis Strong’s 2225 weaves together Scripture’s testimony that life originates with God, is preserved by God, and finds its ultimate fulfillment in union with Christ. Believers live responsibly—protecting life where threatened—yet hold earthly existence loosely, knowing that true preservation lies in the hands of the ever-living God. Englishman's Concordance Luke 17:33 V-FIA-3SGRK: ἂν ἀπολέσῃ ζωογονήσει αὐτήν NAS: loses [his life] will preserve it. KJV: shall lose his life shall preserve it. INT: anyhow may lose will preserve it Acts 7:19 V-PNM/P 1 Timothy 6:13 V-PPA-GMS Strong's Greek 2225 |
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