Lexical Summary proskartereó: To devote oneself to, to persist in, to continue steadfastly in. Original Word: προσκαρτερέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance continueFrom 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 Originfrom 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: προσκαρτερέωπροσκαρτερέω, 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 Overview Of New Testament Usage Strong’s Greek 4342 appears ten times within the New Testament narrative, each instance describing a conscious, sustained commitment. The verb underscores a deliberate adherence to a person, practice, or calling. Mark 3:9 pictures the disciples ensuring a boat was “ready for Him at all times,” while Acts narrates the first believers “devoting themselves” to prayer, teaching, fellowship, and service. Epistolary occurrences (Colossians 4:2; Romans 12:12; Romans 13:6) shift from narrative description to apostolic injunction, showing that what began as the pattern of the apostles is commanded as the normal posture of every church. Association With Prayer Acts 1:14 portrays the gathered disciples “praying in one accord, continually devoting themselves.” Acts 6:4 records the apostles’ resolution: “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Paul issues the same charge: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). The term consistently binds persistence with alertness, suggesting that effective prayer is not sporadic but rhythmic and vigilant. Association With Teaching And The Word Early converts “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). The same word links the elders’ task of prayer with “the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4), indicating that serious proclamation cannot be divorced from equally serious perseverance. An unwavering attention to Scripture is thus presented as an ordinary grace for every congregation, not a luxury for the few. Association With Fellowship And Communion Acts 2:42–46 twice uses the verb for the believers’ daily pattern of gathering, sharing meals, and breaking bread “with glad and sincere hearts.” Their steadfast fellowship provides a practical demonstration of gospel unity, revealing that spiritual devotion expresses itself tangibly in shared life. The Jerusalem church’s example supplies a paradigm for Christian community that remains instructive for all ages. Association With Ministry And Service Mark 3:9’s detail of a prepared boat reflects practical readiness—quiet service that supports public ministry. Acts 10:7 describes Cornelius’ servants as “constantly attending” him, showing that the term can denote faithful, behind-the-scenes support. Romans 13:6 extends the concept to civil servants who “devote themselves to this very thing,” illustrating that steadfast service belongs not only inside church walls but in every sphere ordained by God. Implications For Perseverance And Sanctification Romans 12:12 commands believers to be “steadfast in prayer,” situating devotion within a triad of rejoicing in hope and being patient in affliction. Perseverance is therefore both the means and evidence of sanctification. Continual devotion testifies to genuine faith, yet it is also cultivated through the Spirit’s enabling. The verb’s usage presupposes human responsibility while implicitly affirming divine empowerment. Historical And Cultural Background In secular Koine Greek, the term could describe a soldier’s post or a servant’s attendance, contexts that stress loyalty under authority. When the New Testament writers adopt the word, they sanctify common ideas of allegiance, redirecting them toward the risen Christ and His body. The early church fathers, drawing on these passages, frequently exhorted believers to προσκαρτερέω in prayer and assembly, viewing such devotion as essential to orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Application For Contemporary Ministry 1. Corporate Worship: Regular, persistent gathering around Word and Table mirrors the Acts model and nurtures unity. Summary Strong’s 4342 threads through narrative, instruction, and exhortation to depict the New Testament ideal of steadfast devotion—rooted in grace, expressed in prayer, fellowship, service, and enduring obedience. The call remains: believers today are to continue unremittingly in the means God has ordained, confident that “He who began a good work” will carry it on to completion. 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 proskarteroúntōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 3:9 V-PSA-3SGRK: 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 Acts 2:42 V-PPA-NMP Acts 2:46 V-PPA-NMP Acts 6:4 V-FIA-1P Acts 8:13 V-PPA-NMS Acts 10:7 V-PPA-GMP Romans 12:12 V-PPA-NMP Romans 13:6 V-PPA-NMP Colossians 4:2 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 4342 |
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