Lexical Summary agrupnia: Vigilance, wakefulness, watchfulness Original Word: ἀγρυπνία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sleeplessnessFrom agrupneo; sleeplessness, i.e. A keeping awake -- watch. see GREEK agrupneo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 70 agrypnía – properly, without sleep; sleeplessness. See 69 (agrypnéō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agrupneó Definition sleeplessness, watching NASB Translation sleepless nights (1), sleeplessness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 70: ἀγρυπνίαἀγρυπνία, ἀγρυπνίας, ἡ, sleeplessness, watching: 2 Corinthians 6:5; 2 Corinthians 11:27. (From Herodotus down.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope ἀγρυπνίαις (agrypniais) designates persistent wakefulness that arises either from physical hardship or deliberate spiritual vigilance. While only the noun appears twice in the New Testament, the idea of sleepless watchfulness is interwoven with the wider biblical call to “be alert” (compare Mark 13:33; Ephesians 6:18). Paul’s Twofold Testimony (2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27) 1. In 2 Corinthians 6:5 Paul lists “sleepless nights” among the trials that authenticate his ministry. His endurance of voluntary deprivation parallels other proofs of genuine apostleship—beatings, imprisonments, labors—showing that true servants of Christ embrace inconvenience for the sake of the gospel. Old Testament Background Watchfulness is rooted in patterns such as Israel’s night of deliverance (Exodus 12:42), priestly night duties in the tabernacle (Leviticus 6:9), and the psalmist who declares, “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your word” (Psalm 119:148). Paul’s vocabulary therefore frames Christian ministry within established biblical imagery of guardianship. Christological Fulfillment Jesus exemplifies holy vigils, praying through the night before choosing the Twelve (Luke 6:12) and pleading in Gethsemane while the disciples slept (Matthew 26:40-41). Paul’s sleeplessness echoes his Lord’s, reinforcing imitation of Christ as a hallmark of apostolic life (1 Corinthians 11:1). Spiritual Warfare and Intercession Wakefulness is a weapon. “Stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers” (Ephesians 6:18). The absence of literal sleep pictures the believer’s refusal to drift spiritually. Paul’s practice thus models intercessory endurance, keeping watch for the flock against false teaching and moral drift. Historical and Ecclesial Significance Early Christians adopted night vigils for worship and catechesis, especially before feasts like Easter. Patristic writers link agrypnia with Matthew 25’s wise virgins. Medieval monastic hours institutionalized this discipline (e.g., nocturns). Reformers commended watchfulness as inner readiness rather than mere ritual, yet the evangelical revival tradition restored all-night prayer gatherings as a means of awakening. Pastoral Application • Love for Christ and His people sometimes requires literal loss of sleep. Summary ἀγρυπνίαις in Paul’s letters points to the physical and spiritual vigilance that authentic gospel ministry demands. Rooted in biblical watch-imagery and fulfilled in Christ, such wakefulness remains vital for discipleship, intercession, and readiness until the day dawns and “the Morning Star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Forms and Transliterations άγξαις αγρυπνιαις αγρυπνίαις ἀγρυπνίαις άγρωστιν άγρωστις αγχιστέα αγχιστεία αγχιστείαν αγχίστευε αγχιστεύεις αγχιστευέτω αγχιστεύοντι αγχιστεύοντος αγχιστευόντων αγχιστεύουσα αγχιστεύς αγχιστεύσαι αγχιστεύσαί αγχιστεύση αγχίστευσον αγχιστεύσω αγχιστεύσωσιν αγχιστεύων agrupniais agrypniais agrypníaisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 6:5 N-DFPGRK: κόποις ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις ἐν νηστείαις NAS: in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, KJV: labours, in watchings, in fastings; INT: labours in watchings in fastings 2 Corinthians 11:27 N-DFP |
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