ἐνέργημα (energēma)
energēma
working
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun energēma refers to a concrete result or visible effect produced by an underlying power. Rather than describing the process of working itself, it points to the finished outcome—the "thing wrought." This term appears only twice in the New Testament, both times within Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in First Corinthians.
In these passages, the word highlights the diverse manifestations of the Spirit’s activity. Paul lists various gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, and faith, noting that they are all energēmata, or effective workings, produced by the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:6, 10). The emphasis is on the tangible reality of these spiritual operations within the community.
Its root connects to the verb for working or acting vigorously. By using this specific noun, the text underscores that spiritual gifts are not abstract ideas but actualized effects. The focus remains on the observable result of divine energy at work in the believers’ lives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word energēma points to a concrete result produced by an underlying power. It is not about the invisible process but the finished outcome—the visible effect of God’s activity. In First Corinthians, Paul uses this term to describe spiritual gifts as actualized workings within the community.
This means your faith is not just abstract belief but has tangible expressions. Whether it is wisdom, prophecy, or discernment, these are energēmata: effective operations that show the Spirit’s presence in real life. You can trust that God works through diverse means to build up His people.
When you see others serving in different ways, remember they are all manifestations of the same divine energy. This unity in diversity encourages us to value every gift and recognize God’s hand in each contribution to the church.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- working1×
- of workings1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνεργήματα1×
- ἐνεργημάτων1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 12:6
There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all.
This verse establishes that diverse workings originate from one God who actively produces all things, grounding the concept of energēma in divine sovereignty.
-
I Corinthians 12:10
and to another workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of languages, and to another the interpretation of languages.
Here energēma specifically qualifies miracles, highlighting them as concrete manifestations of the Spirit’s power rather than mere possibilities.