Lexical Summary auxanó: To grow, increase, become greater Original Word: αὐξάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance grow up, increase. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow ("wax"), i.e. Enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive) -- grow (up), (give the) increase. HELPS Word-studies 837 auksánō – properly, grow (increase); become greater in size (maturity, etc.). 837 /auksánō ("to grow") is key to authentic discipleship. Indeed, the Lord requires non-stop progress (development) in the life of faith. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prol. form of a prim. verb Definition to make to grow, to grow NASB Translation causes the growth (1), causing the growth (1), full grown (1), grew (1), grow (8), growing (2), grows (2), increase (2), increased (2), increasing (2), spreading (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 837: αὐξάνωαὐξάνω, and earlier (the only form in Pindar and Sophocles (Veitch, under the word says, 'Hesiod, Mimnermus, Sophocles, Thucydides always have αὔξω or ἀύξομαι, and Pindar except ἀυξανοι from 130 (Bergk)')) αὔξω (Ephesians 2:21; Colossians 2:19); imperfect ηὔξανον; future αὐξήσω; 1 aorist ἠύξησα; (passive, present ἀυξάνομαι); 1 aorist, 1. transitive, to cause to grow, to augment: 1 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 9:10. Passive to grow, increase, become greater: Matthew 13:32; Mark 4:8 L T Tr WH; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Colossians 1:6 (not Rec.); εἰς τήν ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ Θεοῦ unto the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:10 (G L T Tr WH τῇ ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ Θεοῦ); εἰς σωτηρίαν (not Rec.) to the attaining of salvation, 1 Peter 2:2. 2. according to later usage (from Aristotle, an. post. 1, 13, p. 78{b}, 6, etc., down; but nowhere in the Sept. (cf. Buttmann, 54 (47); 145 (127); Winers Grammar, § 38, 1)) intransitive, to grow, increase: of plants, Matthew 6:28; Mark 4:8 Rec.; Luke 12:27 (not Tdf.; Tr marginal reading brackets αὐξάνω); Luke 13:19; of infants, Luke 1:80; Luke 2:40; of a multitude of people, Acts 7:17. of inward Christian growth: εἰς Χριστόν, in reference to (Winer's Grammar, 397 (371); yet cf. Ellicott at the passage) Christ, Ephesians 4:15; εἰς ναόν, so as to form a temple, Ephesians 2:21; ἐν χάριτι, 2 Peter 3:18; with an accusative of the substance. τήν αὔξησιν, Colossians 2:19 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 32, 2; Buttmann, § 131, 5, also Lightfoot's note at the passage); of the external increase of the gospel it is said ὁ λόγος ηὔξανε: Acts 6:7; Acts 12:24; Acts 19:20; of the growing authority of a teacher and the number of his adherents (opposed to ἐλαττοῦσθαι), John 3:30. (Compare: συναυξάνω, ὑπεραυξάνω.) STRONGS NT 837: αὔξωαὔξω, see αὐξάνω. Strong’s Greek 837 (αὐξάνω, with related forms) expresses the idea of growth or increase, whether organic, numerical, spiritual, or providential. The New Testament applies the term to lilies and mustard seeds, to the maturing Christ and John the Baptist, to congregations and the spread of the gospel, and to personal sanctification. In every setting the increase is ultimately attributed to God’s gracious action, even when human means are involved. Physical and Providential Growth • Luke 1:80; 2:40 – John and Jesus “grew” (ηὔξανεν) under divine favor, affirming the incarnation’s true humanity. God-Caused Spiritual Growth • 1 Peter 2:2 – New believers are exhorted to “grow up in your salvation,” depicting sanctification as nourishment-driven maturation. Corporate Growth of the Church • Ephesians 2:21 – The whole building “grows into a holy temple,” portraying the church as an ever-expanding dwelling of God. Growth of the Word and Kingdom Advance • Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20 – “The word of God continued to spread (ηὔξανεν),” Luke’s refrain highlighting Scripture’s living power to multiply disciples. Divine Sovereignty in Agricultural Imagery • 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 – “I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow… only God who makes things grow.” Paul safeguards unity by attributing every advance to the Lord. Historical Notes and Early Christian Usage Luke, the historian-theologian, employs αὐξάνω ten times—more than any other writer—underscoring the Spirit-driven expansion from Bethlehem to Rome. Paul adapts the same verb to pastoral concerns in Corinth, Ephesus, Colossae, and beyond, stressing that numerical gain must be matched by doctrinal and moral maturity. Peter’s final letter elevates the concept from mere church statistics to personal perseverance in grace, assuring believers facing persecution that true growth is possible and expected. Ministerial Applications 1. Preaching and teaching should aim at measurable spiritual increase—knowledge of God, holiness, love. Summary αὐξάνω threads through the New Testament as a quiet witness to the Creator’s ongoing work: nurturing flowers, maturing children, multiplying churches, deepening saints. Whether cited by the Lord Himself, narrated by Luke, or expounded by Paul and Peter, every occurrence converges on one truth: growth is expected, yet it is always God who gives the increase. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:28 V-PIA-3PGRK: ἀγροῦ πῶς αὐξάνουσιν οὐ κοπιῶσιν NAS: of the field grow; they do not toil KJV: how they grow; they toil INT: field how they grow [they do] not labor Matthew 13:32 V-ASP-3S Mark 4:8 V-PPM/P-ANP Luke 1:80 V-IIA-3S Luke 2:40 V-IIA-3S Luke 12:27 V-PIA-3S Luke 13:19 V-AIA-3S John 3:30 V-PNA Acts 6:7 V-IIA-3S Acts 7:17 V-AIA-3S Acts 12:24 V-IIA-3S Acts 19:20 V-IIA-3S 1 Corinthians 3:6 V-IIA-3S 1 Corinthians 3:7 V-PPA-NMS 2 Corinthians 9:10 V-FIA-3S 2 Corinthians 10:15 V-PPM/P-GFS Ephesians 2:21 V-PIA-3S Ephesians 4:15 V-ASA-1P Colossians 1:6 V-PPM/P-NNS Colossians 1:10 V-PPM/P-NMP Colossians 2:19 V-PIA-3S 1 Peter 2:2 V-ASP-2P 2 Peter 3:18 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 837 |
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