Lexical Summary hupakouó: To obey, to listen attentively, to heed Original Word: ὑπακούω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance obey, hearkenFrom hupo and akouo; to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. To listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority -- hearken, be obedient to, obey. see GREEK hupo see GREEK akouo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5219 hypakoúō (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 191 /akoúō, "hear") – properly, to obey what is heard (literally, "under hearing"). See 5218 (hypakoē). 5219 /hypakoúō ("obey") is acting under the authority of the one speaking, i.e. really listening to the one giving the charge (order). 5219 /hypakoúō ("to hearken, obey") suggests attentively listening, i.e. fully compliant (responsive). [5219 (hypakoúō) is an "intensification" of the simple verb "to listen" (191 /akoúō, "hear").] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hupo and akouó Definition to listen, attend to NASB Translation answer (1), became obedient (1), becoming obedient (1), heed (1), obedient (2), obey (12), obeyed (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5219: ὑπακούωὑπακούω; imperfect ὑπήκουον; 1 aorist ὑπήκουσα; from Homer down; to listen, hearken; 1. properly, of one who on a knock at the door comes to listen who it is (the duty of the porter), Acts 12:13 (where A. V. hearken, R. V. answer) (Xenophon, symp. 1, 11; Plato, Crito, p. 43 a.; Phaedo, p. 59 e.; Demosthenes, Lucian, Plutarch, others). 2. to hearken to a command, i. e. to obey, be obedient unto, submit to, (so in Greek writings from Herodotus down): absolutely, Philippians 2:12 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 594 (552)); ὑπήκουσεν ἐξελθεῖν (R. V. obeyed to go out i. e.) went out obediently, Hebrews 11:8; with a dative of the person (in Greek writings also with a genitive), Matthew 8:27; Mark 1:27; Mark 4:41; Luke 8:25; Luke 17:6; Romans 6:16; Ephesians 6:1, 5; Colossians 3:20, 22; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 3:6; with a dative of the thing, τῇ πίστει (see πίστις, 1 b. α., p. 513b near top), Acts 6:7; ὑπηκούσατε εἰς ὅν παρεδόθητε τύπον διδαχῆς, by attraction for τῷ τύπω τῆς διδαχῆς εἰς ὅν κτλ. (Winers Grammar, § 24, 2 b.; cf. τύπος, 3), Romans 6:17; τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ, Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; τῷ λόγῳ, 2 Thessalonians 3:14; τῇ ἁμαρτία (Rec.), ταῖς ἐιθυμιαις (L T Tr WH), i. e. to allow oneself to be captivated by, governed by, etc., Romans 6:12. Ὑπακούω carries the idea of attentive listening that results in compliant action. It unites two inseparable elements—receptive hearing and responsive doing. In Scripture the term never refers to passive acquiescence; it is purposeful submission to an acknowledged authority. Occurrences and Thematic Groupings 1. Christ’s Sovereign Authority Over Creation Matthew 8:27; Mark 1:27; Mark 4:41; Luke 8:25 Even the winds, waves, and demons “obey” the spoken word of Jesus. These scenes elevate the term beyond human relationships and anchor it in divine supremacy. Nature’s immediate obedience underscores that Christ’s commands are not suggestions but irresistible decrees, authenticating His deity. 2. The Gospel Call and Eternal Consequences Acts 6:7; Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 5:9 The faith community in Jerusalem “became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Paul mourns Israel’s failure: “They have not all obeyed the gospel” (Romans 10:16). Paul later warns that the Lord Jesus will be “punishing those who do not obey the gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Hebrews affirms that Christ is “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). Obedience is therefore inseparable from saving faith; refusal is not mere neutrality but rebellion with eternal ramifications. 3. Sanctification and the Believer’s Ongoing Struggle Romans 6:12, 16-17; Philippians 2:12 Believers must no longer let sin “reign in your mortal body to make you obey its desires” (Romans 6:12). Two masters stand in contrast—sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness (Romans 6:16). The Roman congregation is congratulated: “You have become obedient from the heart” (Romans 6:17). Philippians 2:12 places obedience in the realm of continuing discipleship: “Just as you have always obeyed… work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” 4. Household and Social Order Ephesians 6:1, 6:5; Colossians 3:20, 3:22; 1 Peter 3:6 Children are to “obey your parents in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1). Slaves are commanded, “Obey your earthly masters with respect and fear” (Ephesians 6:5). Wives are exhorted to imitate Sarah, who “obeyed Abraham” (1 Peter 3:6). These injunctions promote harmony and testimony in the Greco-Roman household while affirming equal worth before God (cf. Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:11). 5. Community Discipline A brother who “does not obey our instruction in this letter” is to be noted and admonished. The verb frames church discipline as a call back to obedient fellowship rather than punitive exclusion. 6. Illustrations of Living Faith “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out” (Hebrews 11:8), displaying immediate, costly compliance. Jesus’ illustration of the uprooted mulberry tree (Luke 17:6) teaches that even creation “obeys” faith that is grounded in divine authority. 7. Everyday Narrative Usage Acts 12:13 records Rhoda’s failure to “answer” Peter’s knock—an example of incomplete obedience even in small matters, reminding the reader that hearing must result in action. Historical Background In the first-century Mediterranean world, ὑπακούω commonly described compliance to a superior—whether a master, father, magistrate, or deity. Its New Testament adoption infuses that cultural expectation with covenantal depth: obedience becomes the hallmark of genuine covenant allegiance to Christ, surpassing all earthly hierarchies. Doctrinal Significance • Salvation: Obedience to the gospel is the outward expression of saving faith (Romans 10:16; Hebrews 5:9). Ministry Applications 1. Preaching must call hearers not merely to assent but to obey the gospel. Summary Ὑπακούω threads through the New Testament as a golden cord tying together the believer’s relationship to Christ, the church’s fidelity to apostolic teaching, and creation’s acknowledgment of the Lord’s voice. It confronts every reader with a searching question: having heard the word of the Lord, will we obey? Englishman's Concordance Matthew 8:27 V-PIA-3PGRK: θάλασσα αὐτῷ ὑπακούουσιν NAS: the winds and the sea obey Him? KJV: and the sea obey him! INT: sea him obey Mark 1:27 V-PIA-3P Mark 4:41 V-PIA-3S Luke 8:25 V-PIA-3P Luke 17:6 V-AIA-3S Acts 6:7 V-IIA-3P Acts 12:13 V-ANA Romans 6:12 V-PNA Romans 6:16 V-PIA-2P Romans 6:17 V-AIA-2P Romans 10:16 V-AIA-3P Ephesians 6:1 V-PMA-2P Ephesians 6:5 V-PMA-2P Philippians 2:12 V-AIA-2P Colossians 3:20 V-PMA-2P Colossians 3:22 V-PMA-2P 2 Thessalonians 1:8 V-PPA-DMP 2 Thessalonians 3:14 V-PIA-3S Hebrews 5:9 V-PPA-DMP Hebrews 11:8 V-AIA-3S 1 Peter 3:6 V-IIA-3S Strong's Greek 5219 |
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