ἀνέχω (anechō)
anechō
to endure
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anechō means to bear with someone or endure a difficult situation without retaliating. In the New Testament, it appears fourteen times, often describing the patience required in community life. Unlike simple endurance of pain, this word specifically highlights forbearance toward people, as seen when Jesus rebukes his disciples for lacking faith in Matthew 17:17 and Mark 9:19.
Its usage frequently involves a genitive object that identifies who is being borne with. Paul employs it to urge believers to tolerate one another’s weaknesses, such as in Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13. The term also appears in contexts of listening or accepting teaching, even when that content is challenging, as noted in 2 Timothy 4:3.
Etymologically, it combines the prefix ana- with echō, suggesting a holding up or sustaining force. This structure reinforces the idea of active support rather than passive suffering. Translators often render it as "bear with" or "endure," capturing the relational tension inherent in Christian fellowship where patience is a virtue.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word anechō invites us into a posture of active patience within our relationships. It is not merely about enduring pain in silence, but choosing to sustain others even when their actions are difficult or frustrating. This kind of forbearance reflects the steady love that holds a community together, allowing space for growth and grace rather than immediate reaction.
In Ephesians 4:2, Paul links this endurance directly with humility and love, showing that bearing with one another is a practical expression of Christian unity. When we choose to hold up those who stumble or irritate us, we mirror the patience Christ has shown toward us. This active support strengthens bonds and creates an environment where forgiveness can take root.
While it may feel natural to withdraw when hurt, anechō encourages us to stay engaged with compassion. By practicing this kind of patient endurance, we contribute to a healthier, more resilient community. It is a quiet strength that honors God and builds up those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will I bear with2×
- bearing with2×
- you were bearing with1×
- you do endure1×
- you bear with1×
- you are enduring [it].1×
- you are bearing,1×
- we endure,1×
- they will endure,1×
- do bear with1×
- You bear [it]1×
- I will bear with1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνέχεσθε3×
- ἀνέξομαι3×
- ἀνεχόμενοι2×
- ἀνέχεσθέ1×
- ἀνέχεσθε.¶1×
- ἀνέχεσθε,1×
- ἀνέξονται,1×
- ἀνείχεσθέ1×
- ἀνεχόμεθα,1×
- ἀνεσχόμην1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
This verse explicitly connects bearing with one another to the virtues of humility and love, defining it as essential for maintaining unity in the body of Christ.
-
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Here, the command to bear with one another is immediately paired with forgiveness, grounding our patience in the example of how Christ forgave us.
-
II Corinthians 11:20
For you bear with a man if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, or if he strikes you on the face.
Paul highlights the irony that believers often tolerate exploitation and abuse from false teachers while struggling to accept gentle correction from apostles.