ἐνισχύω (enischuō)
enischuō
to strengthen
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb enischuō means to make strong or to invigorate. It combines a prefix indicating location or state with a root meaning strength, creating a sense of reinforcing someone from within or around them. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet it carries significant weight in describing divine support during moments of human weakness.
One key occurrence is in Luke 22:43, where an angel strengthens Jesus in Gethsemane. Here, the action is active and external, providing necessary fortitude for a coming trial. The other instance is in Acts 9:19, where Paul is strengthened after his conversion, often translated as becoming strong himself, reflecting a passive sense of receiving that power. This dual usage highlights how the word can describe both the act of bolstering another and the resulting state of resilience.
Its rarity in Scripture makes its appearances stand out. Rather than a general term for physical health, it points to spiritual or moral fortification. Translators often render it as "strengthened" or "invigorated," capturing the idea of gaining the capacity to endure. The word underscores that strength is not always self-generated but can be imparted through external aid.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face moments of profound weakness, the word enischuō reminds us that strength is often a gift received rather than something we must manufacture on our own. In Luke 22:43, Jesus experiences deep distress in Gethsemane, and Scripture records that an angel came to strengthen Him. This shows that even in His humanity, He relied on divine support to endure the trial ahead. It is a comforting truth that God does not expect us to be self-sufficient in our hardest seasons.
We see a similar pattern in Acts 9:19, where Saul, freshly converted and likely overwhelmed by his new reality, was strengthened after taking food. This physical nourishment served as a vessel for spiritual resilience, helping him settle into his new life with the disciples. These rare occurrences highlight that God provides help through various means—whether angelic visitation or simple sustenance—to equip us for what lies ahead.
This word invites us to look outward for support when our own resources feel depleted. It suggests that receiving help is not a sign of failure but a part of the human experience designed by God. Whether through community, rest, or direct intervention, we are reminded that strength is imparted to us so we can stand firm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- strengthening1×
- he strengthened.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνίσχυσεν.¶1×
- ἐνισχύων1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 22:43
An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.
This verse highlights the external nature of divine support, showing an angel actively reinforcing Jesus during His spiritual crisis in Gethsemane.
-
Acts 9:19
He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
Here the word describes Saul’s transition from persecution to discipleship, where physical nourishment facilitated his inner resilience and stability.