ἀσκέω
askéō
G778 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To practice or train (in a skill, craft, or virtue); to engage diligently in an activity with the intention of improvement or habituation. In philosophical and moral contexts, to exercise oneself in discipline, virtue, or self-control; in technical or specialized uses, to carry out a craft, profession, or art with skill, often implying persistent effort or cultivation. The term carries both the sense of physical training and, more broadly, intentional cultivation of ability or ethical character.
Semantic Range
to practice (an art or craft), to train oneself, to exercise discipline, to pursue or cultivate (virtue, skill, or profession), to strive (morally or intellectually), to act with habitual discipline
Root / Etymology
The word is derived from the root ἀσκ-, which is related to the concept of craft, art, or practice. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, but it is connected to technical and artistic skill. The Strong's association with σκεῦος (implement, vessel) is based on an ancient folk etymology but modern scholarship generally treats ἀσκέω as a distinct root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀσκέω primarily referred to the exercise of an art, craft, or skill—especially manual or artistic labor. By the Hellenistic period, it evolved to describe the intentional practice of moral and philosophical virtues, notably in Stoic and Cynic literature, where it denoted disciplined training or self-cultivation. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage is rare, but when employed, it tends to denote striving for moral excellence or devotional discipline rather than literal athletic practice. The English 'exercise' conveys part of the sense, but may obscure the broader semantic range involving moral or professional cultivation. Later, the related noun ἄσκησις (askēsis) gave rise to the modern term 'ascetic,' but the biblical usage pre-dates this narrower development and should be read in the broader sense of habitual disciplined practice. Distinct from terms like γυμνάζω (to train physically), ἀσκέω emphasizes deliberate, skillful application and cultivation in ethical, intellectual, or manual spheres, not just athletics.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the same as σκεῦος; to elaborate, i.e. (figuratively) train (by implication, strive):--exercise.
Root Family
ἀσκέω (askeō) — to practice, to train, to exercise oneself, to cultivate skill or virtue
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G778-01 |
ἀσκῶ | asko | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
exercise | I train myself | train myself | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G778-01 |
Acts 24:16 | ἀσκῶ | asko | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
exercise | I train myself | train myself |