Lexical Summary ischuros: Strong, mighty, powerful Original Word: ἰσχυρός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance boisterous, mighty, powerful, strong From ischus; forcible (literally or figuratively) -- boisterous, mighty(-ier), powerful, strong(-er, man), valiant. see GREEK ischus HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2478 is NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ischuó Definition strong, mighty NASB Translation loud (1), mightier (3), mighty (3), mighty men (1), severe (1), strong (13), strong man (1), strong man's (1), strong man's (1), stronger (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2478: ἰσχυρόςἰσχυρός, ἰσχυρά, ἰσχυρόν (ἰσχύω) (from Aeschylus down), the Sept. mostly for אֵל, גִּבּור, חָזָק, עָצוּם, and Chaldean תַּקִּיף; strong, mighty; a. of living beings: strong either in body or in mind, Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21; Revelation 5:2; Revelation 10:1; Revelation 18:21; ἐν πολέμῳ, mighty i. e. valiant, Hebrews 11:34, cf. Revelation 19:18; of one who has strength of soul to sustain the assaults of Satan, 1 John 2:14; universally strong, and therefore exhibiting many excellences, 1 Corinthians 4:10 (opposed to ἀσθενής); comparitive, Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; mighty, — of God, 1 Corinthians 1:25; Revelation 18:8 (Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Macc. 1:24, etc.); of Christ raised to the right hand of God, 1 Corinthians 10:22; of those who wield great influence among men by their rank, authority, riches, etc., τά ἰσχυρά equivalent to τούς ἰσχυρούς (on the neuter cf. Winer's Grammar, § 27, 5), 1 Corinthians 1:27 (οἱ ἰσχυροί τῆς γῆς, 2 Kings 24:15); joined with πλούσιοι, Revelation 6:15 (Rec. οἱ δυνατοί). b. of inanimate things: strong equivalent to violent, ἄνεμος, Matthew 14:30 (T WH omit ἰσχυρόν); forcibly uttered, φωνή, Revelation 18:2 (Rec. μεγάλη) (Exodus 19:19); κραυγή, Hebrews 5:7; βρονταί, Revelation 19:6; λιμός, great, Luke 15:14; ἐπιστολαί (stern (forcible)), 2 Corinthians 10:10; strong equivalent to firm, sure, παράκλησις, Hebrews 6:18; fitted to withstand a forcible assault, πόλις, well fortified, Revelation 18:10 (τεῖχος, 1 Macc. 1:33; Xenophon, Cyril 7, 5, 7; πύργος, Judges 9:51). (Cf. δύναμις, at the end.) The adjective ἰσχυρός (Strong’s Greek 2478) appears twenty-nine times in the New Testament and consistently conveys the idea of exceptional power—whether physical, moral, institutional, angelic, or divine. The contexts fall naturally into several thematic groupings that together enrich a biblical theology of strength and its proper place under the sovereign rule of God. Physical Power and Natural Forces • Luke 15:14 pictures a “severe famine” that overwhelms the prodigal, reminding readers that earthly scarcity can expose spiritual destitution. Human Institutions and Earthly Structures • Revelation repeatedly calls Babylon “the mighty city” (Revelation 18:2, 10), only to show that her grandeur collapses in an hour. The repeated adjective underscores the moral: no empire is secure against the judgments of the Lord. Divine Strength and Angelic Might • Mighty angels appear at critical junctures: proclaiming the worthiness of the Lamb (Revelation 5:2), revealing judgment (Revelation 10:1), and executing it (Revelation 18:21). Their strength is delegated, serving the purposes of the Almighty. Christ, the Stronger One John the Baptist points beyond himself to “One more powerful than I” (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16). Jesus embodies ἰσχυρός in absolute terms—He is the King who binds the “strong man” (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21-22) and liberates the captives. His miracles, exorcisms, cross, and resurrection manifest a strength that conquers sin, death, and Satan. The Gospel’s Paradox: Weakness Shaming the Strong 1 Corinthians 1:25-27 contrasts human and divine strength: “the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Paul revisits the theme in 1 Corinthians 4:10, conceding that apostles appear weak while the Corinthians regard themselves as strong—an ironic critique that urges humility. The same epistle warns, “Are we stronger than He?” (1 Corinthians 10:22), dismissing any notion that human resolve can outmuscle divine prerogative. Spiritual Vigor in the Believer • Hebrews 6:18 offers “strong encouragement” rooted in God’s unchangeable oath, fortifying persecuted believers. Prophetic Declarations of Final Judgment The repeated adjective in Revelation 19:6 (“mighty thunder”) and 19:18 (“the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men”) frames the eschaton as a theatre where every competing power is subdued beneath the reign of the Lord God Almighty. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Confidence: God’s strength guarantees the efficacy of His promises (Hebrews 6:18). Summary Ἰσχυρός threads through the New Testament as a reminder that genuine power is God’s alone. Whether depicting storms, empires, angels, or the Savior Himself, each occurrence feeds a unified testimony: “For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns” (Revelation 19:6). Those who trust Him may stand assured that His strength is both the ground of their salvation and the measure by which all other might is judged. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:11 Adj-NMS-CGRK: μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μου ἐστίν NAS: after me is mightier than I, and I am KJV: me is mightier than I, whose INT: me coming mightier than I is he Matthew 12:29 Adj-GMS Matthew 12:29 Adj-AMS Matthew 14:30 Adj-AMS Mark 1:7 Adj-NMS-C Mark 3:27 Adj-GMS Mark 3:27 Adj-AMS Luke 3:16 Adj-NMS-C Luke 11:21 Adj-NMS Luke 11:22 Adj-NMS-C Luke 15:14 Adj-NFS 1 Corinthians 1:25 Adj-NNS-C 1 Corinthians 1:27 Adj-ANP 1 Corinthians 4:10 Adj-NMP 1 Corinthians 10:22 Adj-NMP-C 2 Corinthians 10:10 Adj-NFP Hebrews 5:7 Adj-GFS Hebrews 6:18 Adj-AFS Hebrews 11:34 Adj-NMP 1 John 2:14 Adj-NMP Revelation 5:2 Adj-AMS Revelation 6:15 Adj-NMP Revelation 10:1 Adj-AMS Revelation 18:2 Adj-DFS Revelation 18:8 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 2478 |
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