4342. proskartereó

Lexicon

proskartereó: To devote oneself to, to persist in, to continue steadfastly in.

Original Word: προσκαρτερέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proskartereó
Pronunciation: pros-kar-ter-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-kar-ter-eh'-o)
Definition: To devote oneself to, to persist in, to continue steadfastly in.
Meaning: I persist, persevere in, continue steadfast in; I wait upon.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

continue

From pros and kartereo; to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor) -- attend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, instant in, with), wait on (continually).

see GREEK pros

see GREEK kartereo

HELPS Word-studies

4342 proskarteréō (from 4314 /prós, "towards, interactively with" and 2594 /karteréō, "show steadfast strength," derived from 2904 /krátos, "prevailing strength") – properly, to consistently showing strength which prevails (in spite of difficulties); to endure (remain firm), staying in a fixed direction.

[4342 /proskarteréō means "to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty – 'to devote oneself to, to keep on, to persist in'" (L & N, 1, 68.68).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pros and kartereó
Definition
to attend constantly
NASB Translation
continually devoting themselves (2), continued (1), continuing (1), devote ourselves (1), devote yourselves (1), devoted (1), devoting themselves (1), personal attendants (1), stand ready (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4342: προσκαρτερέω

προσκαρτερέω, προσκαρτερῶ; future προσκαρτερήσω; (καρτερέω, from καρτερός (`strong,' 'steadfast'), of which the root is (τό) κάρτος for κράτος (`strength'; cf. Curtius, § 72)); to persevere (`continue steadfastly') in anything (cf. πρός, IV. 4): of persons, with the dative of a thing, to give constant attention to a thing, Acts 2:42 (here Lachmann adds ἐν (once) in brackets); τῇ προσευχή,Acts 1:14; Acts 6:4; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2 (ταῖς θηραις, Diodorus 3, 17; τῇ πολιορκία,Polybius 1, 55, 4; Diodorus 14, 87; τῇ καθέδρα, persist in the siege, Josephus, Antiquities 5, 2, 6); with the dative of a person, to adhere to one, be his adherent; to be devoted or constant to one: Acts 8:13; Acts 10:7, (Demosthenes, p. 1386, 6; Polybius 24, 5, 3; (Diogenes Laërtius 8, 1, 14); εἰς τί, to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing, Romans 13:6 (cf. Meyer ad loc:); ἐν with a dative of place, to continue all the time in a place, Acts 2:46 (Susanna 6); absolutely to persevere, not to faint (in a thing), Xenophon, Hell. 7, 5, 14; to show oneself courageous, for הִתְחַזֵּק, Numbers 13:21 (20), of a thing, with the dative of a person, to be in constant readiness for one, wait on continually: Mark 3:9.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From πρός (pros, meaning "towards" or "with") and καρτερέω (kartereó, meaning "to be steadfast" or "to endure").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for προσκαρτερέω, similar concepts of steadfastness and devotion can be found in Hebrew words such as חָזַק (chazaq, Strong's 2388), meaning "to be strong" or "to strengthen," and דָּבַק (dabaq, Strong's 1692), meaning "to cling" or "to cleave." These terms convey a sense of persistence and dedication akin to the Greek προσκαρτερέω.

Usage: The verb προσκαρτερέω is used in the New Testament to describe a steadfast and devoted persistence in a particular activity or state. It often conveys a sense of dedication and unwavering commitment.

Context: The term προσκαρτερέω appears several times in the New Testament, primarily in the context of spiritual devotion and communal activities. It is used to describe the early Christians' commitment to prayer, teaching, fellowship, and other aspects of communal life. This steadfastness is not merely passive endurance but an active, intentional dedication to a cause or practice.

• Acts 1:14: "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Here, προσκαρτερέω is translated as "joined together constantly," highlighting the early believers' persistent devotion to prayer.

• Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The use of προσκαρτερέω emphasizes the early church's commitment to foundational Christian practices.

• Acts 6:4: "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The apostles express their intention to remain steadfast in their spiritual duties, using προσκαρτερέω to convey their dedication.

• Romans 12:12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer." Here, προσκαρτερέω is translated as "persistent," underscoring the importance of continual prayer in the life of a believer.

• Colossians 4:2: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." The exhortation to "devote" oneself to prayer reflects the ongoing, active commitment encouraged by the use of προσκαρτερέω.

The concept of προσκαρτερέω is integral to understanding the early Christian community's life and the individual believer's spiritual discipline. It suggests a model of faith that is active, engaged, and unwavering, encouraging believers to maintain a constant and earnest pursuit of spiritual growth and communal harmony.

Forms and Transliterations

προσευχῇ προσκαρτερειτε προσκαρτερείτε προσκαρτερεῖτε προσκαρτερη προσκαρτερή προσκαρτερῇ προσκαρτερήσαντες προσκαρτερησομεν προσκαρτερήσομεν προσκαρτερουντες προσκαρτερούντες προσκαρτεροῦντες προσκαρτερουντων προσκαρτερούντων προσκαρτερων προσκαρτερών προσκαρτερῶν proseuche proseuchē proskartere proskarterē proskarterêi proskarterē̂i proskartereite proskartereîte proskarteresomen proskarterēsomen proskarterḗsomen proskarteron proskarterôn proskarterōn proskarterō̂n proskarterountes proskarteroûntes proskarterounton proskarterountōn proskarteroúnton proskarteroúntōn

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 3:9 V-PSA-3S
GRK: ἵνα πλοιάριον προσκαρτερῇ αὐτῷ διὰ
NAS: that a boat should stand ready for Him because
KJV: a small ship should wait on him
INT: that a boat might wait upon him on account of

Acts 1:14 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: πάντες ἦσαν προσκαρτεροῦντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν τῇ
NAS: with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer,
INT: all were steadfastly continuing with one accord

Acts 2:42 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἦσαν δὲ προσκαρτεροῦντες τῇ διδαχῇ
NAS: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles'
KJV: they continued stedfastly in the apostles'
INT: they were moreover steadfastly continuing in the teaching

Acts 2:46 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἡμέραν τε προσκαρτεροῦντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν
NAS: Day by day continuing with one mind
KJV: And they, continuing daily
INT: day and steadfastly continuing with one accord in

Acts 6:4 V-FIA-1P
GRK: τοῦ λόγου προσκαρτερήσομεν
NAS: But we will devote ourselves to prayer
KJV: we will give ourselves continually to prayer,
INT: of the word will steadfastly continue

Acts 8:13 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: βαπτισθεὶς ἦν προσκαρτερῶν τῷ Φιλίππῳ
NAS: and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip,
INT: having been baptized was steadfastly continuing with Philip

Acts 10:7 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: εὐσεβῆ τῶν προσκαρτερούντων αὐτῷ
NAS: of those who were his personal attendants,
KJV: him continually;
INT: devout of those continually waiting on him

Romans 12:12 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες
NAS: in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
KJV: in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
INT: in prayer be constant

Romans 13:6 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: αὐτὸ τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες
NAS: of God, devoting themselves to this
KJV: ministers, attending continually upon
INT: this very this thing attending continually

Colossians 4:2 V-PMA-2P
GRK: Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε γρηγοροῦντες ἐν
NAS: Devote yourselves to prayer,
KJV: Continue in prayer, and watch
INT: In prayer stedfastly continue watching in

Strong's Greek 4342
10 Occurrences

προσκαρτερῇ — 1 Occ.
προσκαρτερήσομεν — 1 Occ.
προσκαρτερεῖτε — 1 Occ.
προσκαρτερῶν — 1 Occ.
προσκαρτεροῦντες — 5 Occ.
προσκαρτερούντων — 1 Occ.