Lexical Summary kamnó: To be weary, to be sick Original Word: κάμνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance faint, sick, be wearied. Apparently a primary verb; properly, to toil, i.e. (by implication) to tire (figuratively, faint, sicken) -- faint, sick, be wearied. HELPS Word-studies 2577 kámnō – properly, become weary (this was a common meaning for this term from 900 NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root kam- Definition to be weary NASB Translation grow weary (1), sick (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2577: κάμνωκάμνω; 2 aorist ἔκαμον; perfect κέκμηκα; 1. to grow weary, be weary (so from Homer down): Revelation 2:3 Rec.; Hebrews 12:3. 2. to be sick: James 5:15 (Sophocles (Herodotus), Aristophanes, Euripides, Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, Diodorus, Lucian, others). The verb underlying Strong’s Greek 2577 conveys the experience of physical exhaustion, spiritual fatigue, or bodily illness. Scripture consistently treats such weakness as a critical moment for either discouragement or divine intervention, emphasizing human dependence on God’s sustaining grace. Occurrences in the New Testament Hebrews 12:3: “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” James 5:15: “And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” Perseverance under Hostility (Hebrews 12:3) The Epistle to the Hebrews sets the weariness of believers against the ultimate endurance of Jesus Christ. The verb pictures a runner collapsing on the track; the remedy is a fixed gaze on the Author and Perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2). By pointing to Christ’s perseverance through opposition, the writer assures struggling saints that divine grace supplies fresh strength, preventing collapse and apostasy. Restoration through Intercessory Prayer (James 5:15) James applies the same verb to bodily illness. The “prayer offered in faith” functions as a conduit of God’s restorative power, presupposing both covenant community and a God who heals. Physical weakness is never isolated from spiritual realities: confession, forgiveness, and communal support surround the act of petition, reflecting holistic salvation. Theological Significance 1. Dependency: Human frailty draws attention to God’s sufficiency. Old Testament Resonance The Septuagint often portrays Israel’s “fainting” in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 25:18) and the promise that faithful waiters “will not grow weary” (Isaiah 40:31). The New Testament writers inherit this vocabulary, showing continuity in God’s redemptive dealings with the weak. Historical Reception in the Church Early commentators like John Chrysostom linked Hebrews 12:3 to martyrdom endurance, while the Didache’s community practices echo James 5’s anointing and prayer. Throughout church history the term has undergirded ministries of visitation, healing services, and monastic intercession for the sick. Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Encourage believers to meditate on Christ’s sufferings when spiritual fatigue threatens. Related Greek Terms While ἐκλύω (Strong’s 1590) stresses “losing heart,” and ἀσθενέω (Strong’s 770) highlights “weakness,” Strong’s 2577 bridges both ideas, capturing the moment where faintness could swing either to collapse or to renewed strength. Summary Strong’s Greek 2577 captures the tipping point of human limitation. Whether facing persecution or illness, Scripture directs weary saints to Christ’s endurance and the church’s intercessory care, promising divine renewal for body and soul. Englishman's Concordance Hebrews 12:3 V-ASA-2PGRK: ἵνα μὴ κάμητε ταῖς ψυχαῖς NAS: so that you will not grow weary and lose KJV: lest ye be wearied and faint INT: that not you be wearied in the souls James 5:15 V-PPA-AMS Strong's Greek 2577 |
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