ἐκκακέω (ekkakeō)
ekkakeō
to lose heart
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekkakeō describes a state of being worn out or losing heart, arising from the combination of "out" and "bad." It conveys more than momentary sadness; it signifies a deep exhaustion where one’s spirit is drained and courage fails. This word appears in six New Testament passages, capturing the human experience of fatigue when facing prolonged difficulty.
Its usage highlights specific contexts of endurance. In Luke 18:1, Jesus employs it to explain why his parable about the persistent widow exists: to show that believers must not lose heart while waiting for justice. Similarly, Paul uses it in Ephesians 3:13 and 2 Thessalonians 3:13 to encourage Christians not to grow weary or faint when facing trials or opposition from others.
The term’s root connects to the idea of becoming "bad" or weak within oneself. It suggests that discouragement is an internal depletion rather than just an external reaction. Translators often render it as "lose heart" or "faint," emphasizing that spiritual resilience requires active resistance against this natural tendency to give up when circumstances seem unfavorable.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
There are seasons when the weight of waiting feels too heavy to carry. The Greek word ekkakeō captures this specific exhaustion—not a temporary sadness, but a deep weariness where courage begins to fade. It describes the internal depletion that comes from prolonged difficulty, reminding us that losing heart is a very human response to long trials.
Jesus used this concept in Luke 18:1 to explain why we must always pray and not give up. He knew that endurance requires active resistance against the natural tendency to despair. When your spirit feels drained, you are not alone; even the apostle Paul asked believers not to lose heart at his own troubles (Ephesians 3:13), showing that vulnerability is part of the shared Christian experience.
This word invites you to acknowledge your fatigue without shame. It points toward a resilience that does not come from your own strength, but from the hope of what is coming. In those quiet moments of doubt, remember that perseverance is a gift we receive together, grounded in the promise that justice and good will ultimately prevail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to lose heart2×
- we may grow weary;1×
- we lose heart;1×
- we lose heart,1×
- may grow weary1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγκακεῖν2×
- ἐγκακῶμεν·1×
- ἐγκακήσητε1×
- ἐγκακοῦμεν·1×
- ἐγκακοῦμεν,1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 18:1
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,
Jesus introduces this concept to explain the purpose of the parable: to teach believers that persistent prayer is necessary because losing heart is a natural risk during long waits for justice.
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Ephesians 3:13
Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
Paul uses this term to ask the Ephesians not to be discouraged by his sufferings, reframing his imprisonment as a source of glory rather than a reason for despair.
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II Thessalonians 3:13
But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.
The apostle encourages the church to remain steadfast in doing good despite external opposition, acknowledging that weariness can set in when facing hostility from others.