Lexical Summary apokaradokia: Eager expectation, earnest longing Original Word: ἀποκαραδοκία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance earnest expectation. From a comparative of apo and a compound of kara (the head) and dokeo (in the sense of watching); intense anticipation -- earnest expectation. see GREEK apo see GREEK dokeo HELPS Word-studies 603 apokaradokía ("from 575 /apó, "away from"; kara, "the head"; and 1380 /dokéō, "thinking") – properly, thinking forward (literally with head out-stretched), referring to eager, intense expectation. 603 /apokaradokía ("attentive expectation") is used twice (Ro 8:19; Phil 1:20). Ro 8:19 applies this term directly to each believer receiving a unique, glorified body at Christ's return (see also 1 Cor 15:35-54; 2 Cor 5:1-10; Phil 3:11-21). This intense expectation fosters earnest longing to see Jesus – portrayed as an Olympic runner straining forward to the end-goal with "head outstretched" (Ro 8:19)! This automatically also means turning away from what is lesser, to lay hold of the greater. [The prefix, "575 /apó ('from'), implies abstraction, the attention turned from other objects" (WS, 709), suggesting "abstraction and absorption" (Lightfoot). "This abstraction – from anything else that might engage the attention – is also absorpted in the expected object "till the fulfillment is realized" (H. Alford).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of apo, kara (the head) and dokeó Definition strained expectancy NASB Translation anxious longing (1), earnest expectation (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 603: ἀποκαραδοκίαἀποκαραδοκία, ἀποκαραδοκιας, ἡ (from ἀποκαραδόκειν, and this from ἀπό, κάρα, the head, and δοκεῖν in the Ionic dialect, to watch; hence, καραδόκειν (Herodotus 7. 163, 168; Xenophon, mem. 3, 5, 6; Euripides, others) to watch with head erect or outstretched, to direct attention to anything, to wait for in suspense; ἀποκαραδόκειν (Polybius 16, 2, 8; 18, 31, 4; 22, 19, 3; (Plutarch, parall., p. 310, 43, vol. vii., p. 235, Reiske edition); Josephus, b. j. 3, 7, 26, and in Psalm 36:7 Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 603 designates a heightened sense of expectancy—an alert, forward-leaning anticipation that strains toward a future unveiling of God’s purposes. In the New Testament it appears only in Romans 8:19 and Philippians 1:20, yet its rare use pulses with theological depth, tying together creation’s longing, apostolic courage, and the believer’s hope. Occurrences in Scripture • Romans 8:19: “The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.” Nuances of Meaning Unlike ordinary waiting, the term carries a visceral picture: the head stretched forward, eyes fixed on the horizon. It is watchful, active, and unwavering. In Romans, the whole created order “leans forward” toward the consummation of redemption. In Philippians, Paul applies the same posture to his personal future—whether through continued life or imminent death. Theological Significance 1. Assurance of Redemption Romans 8 situates the entire cosmos in a posture of eager expectation. This universal longing underscores both the certainty and the consummate glory of the believers’ adoption. The term affirms that redemption is not abstract but a guaranteed divine event toward which everything is oriented. 2. Union of Hope and Boldness Philippians 1:20 reveals that eager expectation fuels courageous witness. Paul’s expectation is paired with “hope,” indicating that confident anticipation dissolves shame and empowers proclamation. The believer’s future hope is inseparable from present courage. 3. Eschatological Horizon In both contexts the word directs attention to Christ’s ultimate disclosure—either the “revelation of the sons of God” or Christ being “exalted” through Paul’s life or death. Thus, the Christian worldview is forward-looking without being escapist; present faithfulness is energized by the certainty of future glory. Historical Context • Early Christian Suffering: Christians in Rome faced sporadic social hostility and uncertainty. Paul answers with a vocabulary that lifts their eyes beyond present groaning to the assured unveiling of glory. Ministry Applications 1. Preaching and Teaching Emphasize that biblical hope is dynamic. Encourage congregations to cultivate a posture of stretched-neck expectation, allowing the future certainty of Christ’s triumph to animate daily discipleship. 2. Pastoral Care For those facing suffering, frame their pain within creation’s shared groaning. Eager expectation dignifies present trials by anchoring them to forthcoming glory. 3. Missions and Evangelism Philippians 1:20 links bold witness to eager expectation. Churches that live in anticipation of Christ’s exaltation will proclaim Him fearlessly, even at personal cost. 4. Creation Care Romans 8:19 legitimizes concern for the physical world. Since creation itself anticipates redemption, believers steward it in hope, resisting both despair and idolatry. Related Biblical Themes • Hope (Romans 8:24-25; Titus 2:13) Summary Strong’s 603 gathers the longings of creation and the courage of the apostle into one vivid image of straining expectation. It teaches that every sigh of the groaning world and every act of faithful witness is oriented toward the same assured horizon: the public unveiling of Christ and His people. Until that moment, believers live, serve, and suffer with heads lifted and eyes fixed, certain that the glory to be revealed will eclipse every present trial. Forms and Transliterations αποκαραδοκια αποκαραδοκία ἀποκαραδοκία αποκαραδοκιαν αποκαραδοκίαν ἀποκαραδοκίαν apokaradokia apokaradokía apokaradokian apokaradokíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 8:19 N-NFSGRK: ἡ γὰρ ἀποκαραδοκία τῆς κτίσεως NAS: For the anxious longing of the creation KJV: For the earnest expectation of the creature INT: the indeed earnest expectation of the creation Philippians 1:20 N-AFS Strong's Greek 603 |
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