ἐπαγγέλλω (epangellō)
epangellō
to profess
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epangellō means to announce that one will provide something, or to make a promise. It carries the sense of declaring an intention with confidence, often involving a commitment to act in the future. In the New Testament, it appears fifteen times, frequently in Hebrews, James, and the Pastoral Epistles.
Its usage spans two main ideas: promising and professing. When used for promising, it describes God’s faithful declarations, such as His pledge to bless Abraham (Hebrews 6:13) or the assurance of eternal life given to believers (1 John 2:25). In other contexts, it refers to claiming a status or skill, as when Timothy is instructed to profess godliness (1 Timothy 2:10) or those who falsely claim knowledge (1 Timothy 6:21).
The word combines the prefix epi- with a root related to announcing or calling. This structure emphasizes that the promise is not merely a hope but a declared reality. Translators typically render it as "promise" or "profess," depending on whether the focus is on a divine pledge or a human declaration of faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epangellō bridges two vital aspects of our spiritual walk: God’s faithful pledges and our honest declaration of them. In Scripture, it describes God’s unwavering commitment to bless His people, such as when He promised Abraham descendants or offered eternal life to believers. These are not empty wishes but confident declarations that He will act because He cannot lie.
For you, this means your hope rests on a foundation that does not shift with circumstances. When Hebrews 10:23 urges us to hold fast the confession of our hope, it reminds us that the One who promised is faithful. Your profession of faith is simply echoing the truth God has already established.
This dual meaning invites you to trust deeply in His word and speak boldly about your hope. Whether facing uncertainty or standing firm in love, you can rely on the same God who promised Abraham and Sarah. His word remains sure, offering you stability in a changing world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- He has promised3×
- promised2×
- professing2×
- He promised2×
- they promised1×
- promising,1×
- promise has been made,1×
- having promised.1×
- having promised,1×
- having made His promise1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπηγγείλατο5×
- ἐπήγγελται2×
- ἐπήγγελται,1×
- ἐπηγγείλαντο1×
- ἐπαγγελλόμενοι,1×
- ἐπαγγελλόμενοι1×
- ἐπαγγελλομέναις1×
- ἐπαγγειλάμενος,1×
- ἐπαγγειλάμενος1×
- ἐπαγγειλάμενον.1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 6:13
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
This verse highlights God’s ultimate commitment by showing He swore by Himself when promising Abraham, emphasizing that His promise is the highest possible guarantee.
-
Hebrews 10:23
let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
Here the word connects our active confession of hope directly to God’s faithful character, urging believers to remain steady because He keeps His word.
-
Titus 1:2
in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began;
This occurrence grounds the promise of eternal life in God’s nature as one who cannot lie, showing that His pledge existed before time began.
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I Timothy 6:21
which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
This verse warns against those who profess faith but wander away, illustrating how the word applies to human claims of belief and their consequences.