ἑδραῖος (hedraios)
hedraios
steadfast
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hedraios describes something that is firm, immovable, or steadfast. Its meaning derives from the idea of being seated on a fixed base, suggesting stability rather than fleeting movement. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, always in contexts urging believers to hold fast to their convictions.
Paul uses this word to describe moral and spiritual fixity. In 1 Corinthians 7:37, he applies it to a man who is firmly settled in his own heart regarding marriage decisions. Later, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, he commands the church to be hedraios, urging them to remain unmoved in their labor for the Lord. The term also appears in Colossians 1:23, where Paul warns believers not to be moved away from the hope of the gospel.
The word’s imagery connects physical stability with spiritual perseverance. It does not imply rigid stubbornness but a grounded commitment that withstands pressure. By linking steadfastness to the act of sitting firmly in place, the text emphasizes that Christian endurance is a settled state of being, rooted in truth rather than shifting circumstances.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word hedraios paints a picture of stability rooted in a fixed seat. It suggests a person who is not tossed about by changing winds or shifting opinions. When Paul uses this term, he is pointing to a deep, settled conviction that holds firm even when circumstances become difficult. This kind of steadfastness is not stubbornness; it is the quiet confidence of someone anchored in truth.
For your daily life, this means you do not need to be anxious about every new development or pressure from the world. Instead, you can rest in the assurance that your faith has a solid foundation. Whether you are making personal decisions or serving others, you can stand firm knowing that your labor for the Lord is meaningful and enduring.
As you face challenges, remember that being steadfast is a gift of grace. It invites you to stay grounded in the hope of the gospel, allowing your heart to remain calm and focused on what truly matters. This peace is available to all who trust in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- firm2×
- steadfast1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑδραῖοι2×
- ἑδραῖος1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Paul uses this command to encourage believers that their hard work for the Lord has eternal value and should never be abandoned.
-
Colossians 1:23
if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
The word describes the necessary stability required to remain in the faith without being swayed by false teachings or shifting cultural pressures.
-
I Corinthians 7:37
But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in his own heart to keep his own virgin, does well.
Paul applies this term to a man's internal resolve, showing that steadfastness also involves clear, settled decision-making in personal matters.