ἀγωγή
agōgḗ
G72 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The act or process of leading, bringing, or conducting; by extension, training or education, and mode or manner of living or conduct. In specific contexts, refers to upbringing or the way someone is guided or taught, which then shapes a person's lifestyle or conduct.
Semantic Range
leading, guidance, bringing, upbringing, training, conduct, manner of life, education, formative process, lifestyle
Root / Etymology
From the verb ἄγω (to lead, bring, guide) with the abstract noun suffix -ή, forming a noun of action/result. Indicates the process or result of leading, guiding, or bringing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀγωγή primarily meant 'leading, guidance, or conduct,' particularly in educational or formative contexts, such as the training system for Spartan youth (the 'agoge'). By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term broadened to refer generally to one's upbringing, education, and whole manner of conduct, not just formal instruction. In Koine Greek, including its limited appearances in early Christian literature, ἀγωγή denotes a person's manner of life or habitual conduct, sometimes with an emphasis on formative influences (education, upbringing). English translations that render ἀγωγή as simply 'manner of life' may obscure its formative or pedagogical overtones. The term ἀγωγή is distinct from παιδεία (education, discipline), though both involve formative processes. Its occurrences in the Septuagint and New Testament are rare. In later Greek, ἀγωγή can also mean 'payment' or 'fee' (for transport or guidance), but this usage does not appear in biblical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
reduplicated from ἄγω; a bringing up, i.e. mode of living:--manner of life.
Root Family
ἀγ- (eiságō) — to lead, to bring, to conduct, to introduce
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1521 | εἰσάγω | Bring in |
| G18 | ἀγαθός | beneficial things |
| G1877 | ἐπανάγω | Bring back! |
| G321 | ἀνάγω | to be led up |
| G33 | ἄγε |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G72-01 |
ἀγωγῇ | agoge | N DAT F SG |
conduct | to the formative guidance | conduct | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G72-01 |
2 Timothy 3:10 | ἀγωγῇ | agoge | N DAT F SG |
conduct | to the formative guidance | conduct |