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σπουδάζω

spoudázō

G4704 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to make haste, to be zealous or eager in pursuing a course of action; to apply oneself earnestly or diligently. The term emphasizes exertion of effort, eagerness, and focused intent, especially in fulfilling a responsibility, executing a task, or striving to reach a goal. In various contexts, it may refer simply to hurrying, but more often highlights the dimension of energetic or purposeful commitment rather than mere speed.

Semantic Range

to make haste, to be eager or zealous, to be diligent, to exert oneself, to make an earnest effort, to strive, to endeavor; (less frequently) to hurry

Root / Etymology

Derived from σπουδή (spoudē), meaning "haste, earnestness, diligence, zeal." The root indicates the concept of eager or serious application.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σπουδάζω primarily meant 'to act with haste' or 'to hurry,' often carrying the sense of keen or earnest endeavor. Over time, especially in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the term's focus broadened from mere speed to intentional and energetic engagement, such as fulfilling a duty or striving for improvement. In the Septuagint and New Testament, σπουδάζω commonly signifies earnest or diligent effort, particularly with duties associated with teaching, moral formation, community leadership, or spiritual growth. English translations like 'be diligent' or 'endeavor' capture part of the semantic field, but the word also includes nuance of eager zeal and purposefulness. The semantic range overlaps with verbs emphasizing haste (e.g., τρέχω, 'to run') but consistently includes an element of intention and positive seriousness about a task, not merely swiftness.

Translation Consistency

primary "strive" 7 occurrences

“Strive” naturally captures the primary sense of exerting energetic, purposeful effort, zeal, or diligence that σπουδάζω typically conveys. It works well across contexts (make an earnest effort, be zealous, apply oneself) and is a simple, natural English verb that can be inflected consistently for all forms. It also avoids overstressing mere speed (as “hasten” would) while still allowing hurried effort when context requires.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"make earnest effort" (2x) "eager" (1x) "eagerly exerted ourselves" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σπουδή; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

Root Family

σπουδάζω (spoudazō) — to be eager, to act with earnestness, to make haste

Root σπουδ- to be eager, to act with earnestness, to make haste

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4704-06 σπούδασον spoudason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Make every effort Act earnestly Strive earnestly 4
G4704-03 σπουδάσατε spoudasate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL be diligent Make earnest effort Make earnest effort 2
G4704-05 σπουδάσωμεν spoudasomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL let us be diligent let us earnestly strive let us earnestly strive 1
G4704-02 ἐσπουδάσαμεν espoudasamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we endeavored we eagerly exerted ourselves we eagerly exerted ourselves 1
G4704-07 σπουδάζοντες spoudazontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL being diligent earnestly striving earnestly striving 1
G4704-04 σπουδάσω spoudaso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will make every effort I will earnestly strive I will earnestly strive 1
G4704-01 ἐσπούδασα espoudasa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I was eager I earnestly strove I was eager 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4704-01 Galatians 2:10 ἐσπούδασα espoudasa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I was eager I earnestly strove I was eager
G4704-07 Ephesians 4:3 σπουδάζοντες spoudazontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL being diligent earnestly striving earnestly striving
G4704-02 1 Thessalonians 2:17 ἐσπουδάσαμεν espoudasamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we endeavored we eagerly exerted ourselves we eagerly exerted ourselves
G4704-06 2 Timothy 2:15 σπούδασον spoudason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Be diligent Act earnestly Strive earnestly
G4704-06 2 Timothy 4:9 σπούδασον spoudason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Make every effort Act earnestly Strive earnestly
G4704-06 2 Timothy 4:21 σπούδασον spoudason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG Make every effort Act earnestly Strive earnestly
G4704-06 Titus 3:12 σπούδασον spoudason V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG make every effort Act earnestly Strive earnestly
G4704-05 Hebrews 4:11 σπουδάσωμεν spoudasomen V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL let us be diligent let us earnestly strive let us earnestly strive
G4704-03 2 Peter 1:10 σπουδάσατε spoudasate V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL make every effort Make earnest effort Make earnest effort
G4704-04 2 Peter 1:15 σπουδάσω spoudaso V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will make every effort I will earnestly strive I will earnestly strive
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