παύω (pauō)
pauō
to cease
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb pauō means to bring something to an end or to cause a halt. It carries the sense of stopping an action, restraining a force, or ceasing a state of being. In the New Testament, it appears fifteen times, most frequently in Luke and Acts, describing moments where activity is interrupted or concluded.
This word often describes a physical or social cessation. For instance, Jesus commands the wind and waves to cease (Luke 8:24), illustrating its power to stop natural forces. In Acts, it describes how preaching stops; Paul silences a sorcerer (Acts 13:10) or soldiers halt their attack on him (Acts 21:32). The verb can also describe leaving off habitual actions, as when believers cease from sin (1 Peter 4:1).
Its root relates to the idea of pausing or stopping. Unlike words that imply gradual fading, pauō suggests a decisive break. Translators usually render it "cease," "stop," or "restrain." The sources note its use with various grammatical cases, showing it can take direct objects (things being stopped) or be used intransitively (actions simply stopping). This versatility allows it to cover both external interventions and internal decisions to halt.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pauō carries the simple but powerful sense of bringing an action to a halt. In Scripture, it is used when Jesus commands the storm to stop or when believers are called to cease from habitual sin. It suggests a decisive end to a state of being, whether that is chaos in nature or unrest in the heart.
For your daily life, this word offers comfort in moments of anxiety and clarity in times of temptation. When the world feels like it is spinning out of control, remember that Christ has the authority to say 'cease' to the winds and waves. Similarly, when old patterns of behavior pull at you, the example of Christ’s suffering reminds us that a new life involves turning away from sin.
This promise is not just about stopping bad things; it is about entering into peace. The same power that calms the sea can quiet the noise in your mind. You do not have to fight these battles alone. God invites you to rest in His authority, knowing that He brings order where there is confusion and life where there is death.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will you cease1×
- they will cease;1×
- they were ceasing1×
- they stopped1×
- they have ceased1×
- they ceased,1×
- he should keep1×
- has himself done1×
- does stop1×
- do cease1×
- ceasing1×
- cease1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπαύσαντο2×
- ἐπαύσατο,1×
- ἐπαύσατο1×
- ἐπαύσαντο,1×
- ἐπαύοντο1×
- ἐπαυσάμην1×
- πέπαυται1×
- παύσῃ1×
- παύσονται·1×
- παύσασθαι1×
- παύομαι1×
- παύεται1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 8:24
They came to him and awoke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are dying!” He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; then they ceased, and it was calm.
This verse demonstrates the word's power over natural forces, showing Jesus' authority to instantly stop chaos and bring calm.
-
Acts 13:10
and said, “You son of the devil, full of all deceit and all cunning, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Here the word is used as a direct command to halt spiritual deception, highlighting its use in confronting falsehood.
-
I Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
This passage connects the concept of ceasing with Christ's suffering, suggesting that sharing in His life means stopping the practice of sin.
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I Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
Paul uses this word to describe the temporary nature of spiritual gifts, contrasting them with the eternal permanence of love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word pauō mean?
How is pauō different from other words for stopping?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 7 books)
Luke 3 verses
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 8:24They came to him and awoke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are dying!” He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging of…
Luke 11:1When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John…