Lexical Summary krataioó: To strengthen, to make strong, to empower Original Word: κραταιόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be strengthened, become strong. From krataios; to empower, i.e. (passively) increase in vigor -- be strengthened, be (wax) strong. see GREEK krataios HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2901 krataióō (from 2904 /krátos) – to prevail by God's dominating strength, i.e. as His power prevails over opposition (gains mastery). See 2904 (kratos). For the believer, 2901 /krataióō ("attain mastery, the upper-hand") operates by the Lord inworking faith (His persuasion, 4102 /pístis). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kratos Definition to strengthen NASB Translation become strong (2), strengthened (1), strong (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2901: κραταιόωκραταιόω, κραταιῷ: passive, present imperative 2 person plural κραταιοῦσθε imperfect 3 person singular ἐκραταιοῦτο; 1 aorist infinitive κραταιωθῆναι; (κράτος); only Biblical and ecclesiastical, for the classic κρατύνω; the Sept. mostly for חָזַק; in passive several times for אָמֵץ; to strengthen, make strong (Vulg.conforto (and in Ephesians 3:16conroboro)); passive to be made strong, to increase in strength, to grow strong: passive with the dative of respect, πνεύματι, Luke 1:80; Luke 2:40 (here G L T Tr WH omit πνεύματι); δυνάμει, Ephesians 3:16 (cf. ἰσχύειν τοῖς σωμασι, Xenophon, mem. 2, 7, 7); ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε, i. e. show yourselves brave (A. V. be strong), 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ἀνδρίζεσθε καί κραταιούσθω ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν, Psalm 30:25 Topical Lexicon Biblical Scope and Patterns of Use The verb appears four times in the New Testament, each time marking a decisive advance in God’s redemptive program: the emergence of John the Baptist, the hidden years of Jesus, the maturing of the church at Corinth, and Paul’s intercessory prayer for all believers. In every setting “to be strengthened” signals movement from promise to readiness, from potential to Spirit-empowered action. Lukan Portraits of Growth Luke 1:80 records that “the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” The strengthening of John the Baptist qualifies him for the prophetic office that prepares the way of the Lord. Similarly, Luke 2:40 says of Jesus, “the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke thus emphasizes that both forerunner and Messiah enter ministry not by mere maturity of age but by an inner fortifying work of God. Luke’s twofold use underscores continuity with Old Testament narratives where God “strengthens” His chosen servants before decisive mission (for example, David in 2 Samuel 3:1). Pauline Focus on the Inner Person Ephesians 3:16 brings the verb into the realm of corporate prayer: “that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” The locus of divine strengthening moves from the arena of Israel’s history to the heart of every believer. Paul’s request assumes that the same power evident in Luke’s infancy narratives now operates continually in the church, mediated by the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 16:13 the apostle shifts from prayer to exhortation: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong.” Here strengthening is framed as an imperative that believers must embrace. The present middle voice stresses ongoing personal responsibility while presupposing God as the ultimate source (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Theological Trajectory 1. Progressive Revelation: From individual servants in Luke to the whole body of Christ in Paul, strengthening unfolds as a hallmark of the New Covenant era. Historical and Cultural Backdrop Greco-Roman culture prized self-generated virtue; Scripture counters with a God-generated strengthening that renders believers fit for kingdom service. Luke’s mention of the wilderness (Luke 1:80) echoes Israel’s formative period, while Paul’s language in Ephesians draws on contemporary athletic and military imagery, recasting it for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-17). Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Formative Seasons: Like John and Jesus, believers may experience hidden years where quiet strengthening precedes visible ministry. Christological Connection Jesus’ strengthening in childhood authenticates His full humanity; He does not bypass the ordinary processes of growth. At the same time, the phrase “grace of God was upon Him” affirms His unique identity. His journey from hidden Nazareth to public ministry guarantees that He sympathizes with believers undergoing similar seasons of preparation (Hebrews 4:15). Summary Strong’s Greek 2901 traces a biblical theology of God-given strength that spans prophetic preparation, messianic development, and apostolic exhortation. It testifies that every stage of redemptive history—and every season of individual discipleship—stands under the same divine imperative: to be fortified in the inner person so that the purposes of God may advance unhindered. Forms and Transliterations εκραταιουτο εκραταιούτο ἐκραταιοῦτο εκραταιώθη εκραταιώθην εκραταιώθησαν εκραταίωσα εκραταίωσαν εκραταίωσας εκραταίωσε εκραταίωσεν εκράταιωσεν κεκραταίωνται κραταιού κραταιούντας κραταιουσθε κραταιούσθε κραταιοῦσθε κραταιούσθω κραταιούσθωσαν κραταιούται κραταιωθηναι κραταιωθήναι κραταιωθῆναι κραταιώθητε κραταιωθήτω κραταιωθώμεν κραταιωθώσιν κραταίωμα κραταίωμά κραταιών κραταιώς κραταιώσαι κραταιώσει κραταίωσιν κραταίωσις κραταιώσομεν κραταίωσον κρατήση κρατήσωσιν Συρία ekrataiouto ekrataioûto krataiothenai krataiothênai krataiōthēnai krataiōthē̂nai krataiousthe krataioûstheLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 1:80 V-IIM/P-3SGRK: ηὔξανεν καὶ ἐκραταιοῦτο πνεύματι καὶ NAS: continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, KJV: grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and INT: grew and was strengthened in spirit and Luke 2:40 V-IIM/P-3S 1 Corinthians 16:13 V-PMM/P-2P Ephesians 3:16 V-ANP Strong's Greek 2901 |
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