4648. skopeó
Lexical Summary
skopeó: To look at, regard, consider, take heed

Original Word: σκοπέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: skopeó
Pronunciation: skop-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (skop-eh'-o)
KJV: consider, take heed, look at (on), mark
NASB: look, keep your eye on, looking, observe, watch
Word Origin: [from G4649 (σκοπός - goal)]

1. to take aim at (spy)
2. (figuratively) regard

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
consider, take heed, mark.

From skopos; to take aim at (spy), i.e. (figuratively) regard -- consider, take heed, look at (on), mark. Compare optanomai.

see GREEK skopos

see GREEK optanomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from skopos
Definition
to look at, contemplate
NASB Translation
keep your eye on (1), look (2), looking (1), observe (1), watch (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4648: σκοπέω

σκοπέω, σκόπω; (σκοπός, which see); from Homer down; to look at, observe, contemplate. to mark: absolutely, followed by μή with the indicative (see μή, III. 2), Luke 11:35; τινα, to fix one's eyes upon, direct one's attention to, anyone: Romans 16:17; Philippians 3:17; σεαυτόν, followed by μή with the subjunctive to look to, take heed to thyself, lest etc. Galatians 6:1 (see μή, II. 1 b.); τί, to look at, i. e. care for, have regard to, a thing: 2 Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 2:4 (2 Macc. 4:5). (Compare: ἐπισκόπω, κατασκοπέω.) [SYNONYMS: σκοπεῖν is more pointed than βλέπειν; often equivalent to to scrutinize, observe. When the physical sense recedes, equivalent to to fix one's (mind's) eye on, direct one's attention to, a thing in order to get it, or owing to interest in it, or a duty toward it. Hence, often equivalent to aim at, care for, etc. Schmidt, Syn., chapter 11: Cf. θεωρέω, ὁράω.]

Topical Lexicon
The Call to Spiritual Vigilance

Luke 11:35 records Christ’s warning, “See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.” The verb here commands an intentional, continual examination of one’s inner moral and spiritual state. Jesus places responsibility upon every disciple to evaluate attitudes and motives under the searching light of divine truth, refusing complacency or hidden sin.

Guarding Against False Teaching

Romans 16:17 exhorts, “Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.” The church is told to maintain doctrinal clarity by marking and avoiding teachers who deviate from apostolic instruction. The verb stresses careful scrutiny; discernment protects unity and purity in the body of Christ.

Imitating Godly Examples

In Philippians 3:17 Paul urges, “Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.” Believers are to fix their attention on mature models who embody Christ-likeness. Deliberate observation fosters spiritual growth and safeguards against the destructive influence of worldly patterns (Philippians 3:18-19).

Restorative Gentleness and Self-Watch

Galatians 6:1 balances corrective ministry with self-examination: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Genuine restoration requires compassionate vigilance—toward the stumbling brother and toward one’s own vulnerability.

Unselfish Concern for Others

Philippians 2:4 commands, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Christian community flourishes when members voluntarily give sustained attention to the welfare of fellow believers, imitating the self-emptying mindset of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8).

Eternal Perspective Amid Suffering

2 Corinthians 4:18 contrasts transient affliction with lasting glory: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” The present imperative calls believers to habitually orient their sight toward unseen realities—God’s promises, the resurrection, and the coming kingdom—thus nurturing hope and endurance.

Theological Threads

• Human responsibility: The verb consistently assigns active agency; believers must choose where to direct attention.
• Moral discernment: Right perception precedes right action; error enters when vigilance lapses.
• Corporate health: Watching safeguards doctrine (Romans 16:17), relationships (Galatians 6:1), and mutual service (Philippians 2:4).
• Eschatological orientation: Fixing the gaze on eternal things fuels present faithfulness (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Develop habits of scriptural self-examination (Psalm 139:23-24; Luke 11:35).
2. Equip congregations to identify and refute doctrinal errors swiftly yet graciously.
3. Highlight exemplars of mature discipleship within the local church for imitation.
4. Train caregivers in restorative ministry that couples gentle correction with personal holiness.
5. Cultivate an outward-looking culture that prioritizes the interests of others in tangible service.
6. Sustain suffering saints by preaching the unseen hope that outweighs every trial.

Personal Reflection Questions

• Where is my gaze fixed—on the temporal or the eternal?
• Whose example am I intentionally observing and following?
• How vigilant am I against subtle doctrinal distortions?
• Am I restoring fallen believers with gentleness while guarding my own heart?
• In what ways am I actively seeking the interests of others above my own?

The six New Testament occurrences form a unified summons: train the eyes of the heart to remain alert—toward personal holiness, doctrinal truth, mutual care, and everlasting glory.

Forms and Transliterations
σκοπει σκόπει σκοπειν σκοπείν σκοπεῖν σκοπειτε σκοπείτε σκοπεῖτε σκοπεύει σκοπεύοντες σκοπεύουσι σκόπευσον σκοπεύων σκοπήσασθαι σκοπιά σκοπιάν σκοπιάς σκοπιών σκοπουντες σκοποῦντες σκοπουντων σκοπούντων σκοπων σκοπών σκοπῶν skopei skópei skopein skopeîn skopeite skopeîte skopon skopôn skopōn skopō̂n skopountes skopoûntes skopounton skopountōn skopoúnton skopoúntōn
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 11:35 V-PMA-2S
GRK: σκόπει οὖν μὴ
NAS: Then watch out that the light
KJV: Take heed therefore that the light
INT: Take heed therefore lest

Romans 16:17 V-PNA
GRK: ὑμᾶς ἀδελφοί σκοπεῖν τοὺς τὰς
NAS: you, brethren, keep your eye on those
KJV: brethren, mark them which cause
INT: you brothers to consider those who

2 Corinthians 4:18 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: μὴ σκοπούντων ἡμῶν τὰ
NAS: while we look not at the things which are seen,
KJV: not at the things which are seen,
INT: not considering we the things

Galatians 6:1 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: πνεύματι πραΰτητος σκοπῶν σεαυτόν μὴ
NAS: of gentleness; [each one] looking to yourself,
KJV: of meekness; considering thyself,
INT: a spirit of gentleness considering yourself lest

Philippians 2:4 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἑαυτῶν ἕκαστος σκοποῦντες ἀλλὰ καὶ
NAS: do not [merely] look out for your own
KJV: Look not every man
INT: of themselves each consider but also

Philippians 3:17 V-PMA-2P
GRK: ἀδελφοί καὶ σκοπεῖτε τοὺς οὕτω
NAS: in following my example, and observe those
KJV: of me, and mark them which walk so
INT: brothers and consider those thus

Strong's Greek 4648
6 Occurrences


σκόπει — 1 Occ.
σκοπεῖν — 1 Occ.
σκοπεῖτε — 1 Occ.
σκοπῶν — 1 Occ.
σκοποῦντες — 1 Occ.
σκοπούντων — 1 Occ.

4647
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