Lexical Summary polemos: War, battle, conflict Original Word: πόλεμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance battle, fight, war. From pelomai (to bustle); warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series) -- battle, fight, war. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition war NASB Translation battle (4), quarrels (1), war (10), wars (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4171: πόλεμοςπόλεμος πολέμου, ὁ (from ΠΑΛΩ, πολέω, to turn, to range about, whence Latinpello, bellum; (but cf. Fick 1:671; Vanicek, 513)) (from Homer down), the Sept. for מִלְחָמָה; 1. properly, a. war: Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 14:31; Luke 21:9; Hebrews 11:31; in imitation of the Hebrew מִלְחָמָה עָשָׂה followed by אֵת or עִם (Genesis 14:2; Deuteronomy 20:12, 20), πόλεμον ποιεῖν μετά τίνος, Revelation 11:7; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:7 (here L omits; WH Tr marginal reading brackets the clause); b. a fight, a battle (more precisely μάχη; "in Homer (where Iliad 7, 174 it is used even of single combat) and Hesiod the sense of battle prevails; in Attic that of tear" (Liddell and Scott, under the word); cf. Trench, § 86:and (in partial modification) Schmidt, chapter 138, 5 and 6): 1 Corinthians 14:8; Hebrews 11:34; Revelation 9:7, 9; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 20:8. 2. a dispute, strife, quarrel: πόλεμοι καί μάχαι, James 4:1 (Sophocles El. 219; Plato, Phaedo, p. 66 c.). Strong’s Greek 4171 portrays warfare in its literal, figurative, and eschatological dimensions. Across the New Testament the term embraces armed conflict between nations, inner strife among believers, the cosmic clash between God and evil, and the believer’s disciplined response to the trumpet-call of the gospel. Old Testament Foundations Although πόλεμος itself is Greek, New Testament writers assume the Hebrew backdrop of Yahweh as “LORD of Hosts.” From Genesis through the Prophets the theme of war illustrates both judgment and deliverance. This heritage informs every New Testament occurrence: the sovereignty of God, the moral character of war, and the certainty that final victory belongs to the Messiah. The Synoptic Gospels: Signs and Parables Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7, and Luke 21:9 place πόλεμος in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6). The prediction neither justifies human aggression nor alarms the faithful; it steadies disciples to endure tribulation without losing hope. Luke 14:31 employs the same word in a parable of prudent calculation: “What king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and consider…” The illustration urges would-be followers to count the cost of discipleship, implying that allegiance to Christ is itself an engagement that demands total commitment. Pauline Usage: Clarity and Order 1 Corinthians 14:8 draws a parallel between intelligible prophecy and military readiness: “If the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?” Worship devoid of understanding leaves the church unprepared for spiritual engagement. Hebrews 11:34 praises faith that “became mighty in battle,” tying past victories of the faithful to present endurance. Physical battles of the Old Covenant prefigure spiritual perseverance under the New. James: Inner Conflicts James 4:1 exposes πόλεμοι in the heart: “What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Do they not come from the passions at war within you?” Selfish desire is unmasked as the root of congregational strife. The remedy is submission to God, resisting the devil, and cultivating humility (James 4:7-10). Eschatological Concentration in Revelation No book employs πόλεμος more than Revelation, where the word anchors the drama of the last things. • Revelation 9:7, 9:9 likens demonic locusts to horses “prepared for battle.” Throughout, πόλεμος underscores that every earthly conflict is ultimately subordinate to God’s redemptive plan. Spiritual Warfare and Ministry Application New Testament writers consistently move from literal war to spiritual warfare. The believer’s enemy is not merely “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12) but powers of darkness. Clear teaching, faithful witness, and moral purity are the weapons issued by the Commander-in-Chief (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). A muffled gospel trumpet (1 Corinthians 14:8) leaves saints unarmed; a clear gospel summons them to active service. Practical Implications for the Church 1. Vigilance without panic: Wars will persist until Christ returns, yet anxiety yields to trust in providence (Matthew 24:6). Theological Summary Πόλεμος threads through the New Testament as a sober reminder that the age is contested territory. Yet every occurrence affirms divine sovereignty: the Messiah foretells conflicts, regulates their limits, harnesses them for sanctification, and ultimately ends them in triumph. The church therefore engages in present spiritual warfare with confidence, purity, and hope, awaiting the day when “nation will no longer take up sword against nation” and the Prince of Peace will reign unopposed. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 24:6 N-AMPGRK: δὲ ἀκούειν πολέμους καὶ ἀκοὰς NAS: be hearing of wars and rumors KJV: ye shall hear of wars and rumours INT: moreover to hear of wars and rumors Matthew 24:6 N-GMP Mark 13:7 N-AMP Mark 13:7 N-GMP Luke 14:31 N-AMS Luke 21:9 N-AMP 1 Corinthians 14:8 N-AMS Hebrews 11:34 N-DMS James 4:1 N-NMP Revelation 9:7 N-AMS Revelation 9:9 N-AMS Revelation 11:7 N-AMS Revelation 12:7 N-NMS Revelation 12:17 N-AMS Revelation 13:7 N-AMS Revelation 16:14 N-AMS Revelation 19:19 N-AMS Revelation 20:8 N-AMS Strong's Greek 4171 |
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