κινδυνεύω (kinduneuō)
kinduneuō
be in danger
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kinduneuō describes a state of being in jeopardy or peril, capturing the tension of facing significant risk. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, primarily within Luke’s writings and Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. The word conveys more than a slight inconvenience; it implies a serious threat where safety is uncertain.
Its usage often highlights the precarious nature of ministry or life circumstances. For instance, Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 15:30 to illustrate the constant danger faced by those who preach the gospel, asking why they put themselves at risk daily if there is no resurrection. Similarly, Acts records how the city clerk calmed the crowd in Ephesus by noting that travelers like Paul were not in danger of breaking laws, contrasting their safety with the mob’s potential peril.
The term derives from a root meaning "danger" or "risk," emphasizing the external threat rather than internal fear. Translators typically render it as "be in danger" or "face danger," preserving the sense of vulnerability without adding emotional interpretation. This straightforward usage allows readers to focus on the factual reality of the threat, whether physical, legal, or spiritual, that believers encountered in the early church.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word κινδυνεύω (kinduneuō) simply means to be in danger or face risk. It describes a situation where safety is uncertain and threats are real. In the New Testament, this term appears only four times, highlighting moments when believers faced genuine peril for their faith or livelihood.
Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 15:30 to ask why he stands in jeopardy every hour if there is no resurrection. This shows that early Christians understood the cost of discipleship. They did not ignore danger but trusted God’s purpose despite it.
When you face uncertainty today, remember that risk does not mean abandonment. God walks through storms with us, as seen when Jesus slept peacefully while the disciples feared for their lives (Luke 8:23). Your courage in difficult times reflects a deep trust in His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were in danger.1×
- we are in danger of1×
- is endangered1×
- are in danger1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κινδυνεύομεν2×
- ἐκινδύνευον.1×
- κινδυνεύει1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 15:30
Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?
Paul uses this word to emphasize the daily, personal risk he takes for the gospel, grounding his argument for the resurrection in his own willingness to face danger.
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Acts 19:40
For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”
The city clerk uses this term to warn the crowd that their riotous behavior puts them at legal risk without any valid cause, highlighting the contrast between mob anger and lawful conduct.
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Luke 8:23
But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.
Although the Greek text here translates as 'taking on dangerous amounts of water,' it reflects the perilous state of the boat, illustrating the physical danger Jesus’ followers faced during the storm.