ἐνδυναμόω (G1743) — Greek Lexicon

ἐνδυναμόω

endynamóō

G1743 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to make strong, to empower; to impart strength or ability to someone or something. Primarily used in the sense of increasing one's capacity, fortitude, or capability (physical, moral, spiritual, or cognitive), most often by an external agent. In extended contexts, may refer to being strengthened inwardly, made able to withstand challenges or perform certain actions, or being enabled for a specific purpose.

Semantic Range

to make strong, to empower, to provide capability, to strengthen (physically, mentally, or spiritually), to enable, to be made strong, to acquire strength, to be empowered

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition ἐν ('in, with') and the verb δυναμόω ('to make powerful, to empower'), itself from δύναμις ('power, capability'). Literally, 'to put power in, to endow with power.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Hellenistic and later Koine usage, ἐνδυναμόω most frequently appears in passive or middle forms with the sense of 'being strengthened' or 'being empowered,' especially in hortatory or prayerful contexts (e.g., 'be strengthened' in the inner person). In the New Testament, usage is often moral or spiritual rather than strictly physical; e.g., being made strong to endure adversity, perform a task, or resist external forces. The verb does not denote self-generated power, but strength or capability conferred—typically by God or a higher agency—upon a person or group. This distinguishes it from αὐτοδύναμος ('self-sufficient, self-powered') and closely relates it to terms built on δύναμις with the nuance of bestowed strength. English translations sometimes render it as 'strengthen,' 'empower,' 'make strong,' or 'enable,' but may oversimplify the external or passive component intrinsic in the Greek usage. Classical usage is rare; the term is mainly attested in Hellenistic, Septuagint, and early Christian literature.

Translation Consistency

primary "strengthen" 1 occurrence

Covers the full SILEX range (“to make strong, to empower, to enable”) in natural, idiomatic English. "Strengthen" fits physical, moral, spiritual, and cognitive senses, works smoothly in active and passive constructions, and is more broadly applicable and less stylistically marked than alternatives like “empower” or “enable.”

Alternatives (6 occurrences):

"empowered" (3x) "continually empowered" (1x) "empowering one" (1x) "having empowered" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐν and δυναμόω; to empower:--enable, (increase in) strength(-en), be (make) strong.

Root Family

ἐνδυναμόω (endynamóō) — make strong, empower, enable, impart capability

Root δυναμ- to be able, to have power, to enable

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1743-07`	ἐνεδυναμοῦτο	enedunamouto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG`	was strengthened	was being empowered	was being empowered	1
`G1743-02`	ἐνδυναμοῦ	endunamou	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P SG`	be strong	be empowered	be empowered	1
`G1743-05`	ἐνεδυνάμωσέν	enedunamosen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	strengthened	he empowered	strengthened	1
`G1743-01`	ἐνδυναμώσαντί	endunamosanti	`V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	having strengthened	to the one having empowered	one having empowered	1
`G1743-06`	ἐνεδυναμώθη	enedunamothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was strengthened	was empowered	was empowered	1
`G1743-04`	ἐνδυναμοῦσθε	endunamousthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be strong	Be continually empowered	Be continually empowered	1
`G1743-03`	ἐνδυναμοῦντί	endunamounti	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	who strengthens	to the one empowering	empowering one	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1743-07`	Acts 9:22	ἐνεδυναμοῦτο	enedunamouto	`V IMPF PASS IND 3P SG`	was strengthened	was being empowered	was being empowered
`G1743-06`	Romans 4:20	ἐνεδυναμώθη	enedunamothe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was strengthened	was empowered	was empowered
`G1743-04`	Ephesians 6:10	ἐνδυναμοῦσθε	endunamousthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be strong	Be continually empowered	Be continually empowered
`G1743-03`	Philippians 4:13	ἐνδυναμοῦντί	endunamounti	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	who strengthens	to the one empowering	empowering one
`G1743-01`	1 Timothy 1:12	ἐνδυναμώσαντί	endunamosanti	`V AOR ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	having strengthened	to the one having empowered	one having empowered
`G1743-02`	2 Timothy 2:1	ἐνδυναμοῦ	endunamou	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P SG`	be strong	be empowered	be empowered
`G1743-05`	2 Timothy 4:17	ἐνεδυνάμωσέν	enedunamosen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	strengthened	he empowered	strengthened

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