στερεόω
I strengthen, confirm, establish
Definition
The verb στερεόω means to make firm, strong, or solid. It carries the sense of establishing something so that it is stable and unshakable. In the New Testament, it is used both literally, as in the strengthening of a physical limb (Acts 3:7), and figuratively, for the spiritual strengthening and establishment of a community of believers in their faith (Acts 16:5).
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the New Testament, all in the book of Acts. Its usage shows a progression from the physical to the spiritual. In Acts 3:7, it describes the miraculous strengthening of a lame man's ankles and feet. In Acts 3:16, it refers to the faith that was 'made strong' through Jesus's name. Finally, in Acts 16:5, it describes how churches were 'strengthened' in the faith and grew in number daily.
Etymology
Derived from the adjective στερεός (stereos, G4731), meaning 'firm, solid, or hard.' The verb form means 'to make firm' or 'to solidify.' This root is also the source of the English word 'stereo,' in its original sense of something solid or three-dimensional.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the divine source of true strength and stability. The physical healing in Acts 3:7 points to Jesus's power to restore brokenness, while the spiritual strengthening in Acts 16:5 illustrates the Holy Spirit's work in establishing the early church. It underscores that both individual faith and corporate church health are established and made firm by God's action, not human effort alone.
In a Greco-Roman context, strength and stability were highly valued virtues, often associated with moral character and resilience. The concept of a community being 'established' would resonate with ideas of social solidarity and enduring institutions. The biblical use transcends this by attributing the source of this firmness directly to God's power and the message of faith in Christ.
ἐπιστηρίζω (epistērizō, G1991) — to strengthen further, support; often used for encouraging or strengthening someone in a personal or exhortative context. στηρίζω (stērizō, G4741) — to fix, set firmly, establish; a close synonym focusing on making something steadfast, often used for establishing the heart or mind.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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