στηρίζω (stērizō)
stērizō
to establish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb stērizō means to set something firmly in place so that it cannot be moved or shaken. In the New Testament, it describes a process of making people, beliefs, or communities stable and secure. This is not merely about initial placement but about reinforcing strength against pressure, ensuring that what has been built remains standing.
Its usage ranges from concrete physical imagery to deep spiritual encouragement. For instance, in Luke 16:26, it describes a great chasm fixed between two realms, illustrating an unchangeable boundary. More commonly, Paul uses it metaphorically to describe strengthening believers’ faith, as when he prays for the Thessalonians to be established in their hearts (1 Thessalonians 3:2) or when Peter speaks of God’s power to make believers strong after they have suffered a little while (1 Peter 5:10).
The word carries significant theological weight regarding perseverance. It implies that stability is not an automatic state but something actively conferred by God or reinforced through community and teaching. Translators often render it as "establish" or "strengthen," capturing the idea of a foundation that has been checked, secured, and made ready to bear weight without collapsing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word stērizō describes more than just standing still; it means being firmly set in place so that you cannot be easily shaken. In our daily lives, we often feel like we are drifting or struggling to keep our footing when pressures mount. This Greek verb offers a comforting picture of divine stability, where God actively reinforces our spiritual foundations. It is not about our own stubbornness, but about receiving strength from Him to remain secure in our faith.
When we face trials or uncertainty, this concept reminds us that our security comes from being established by God’s grace. Whether it is the fixed boundary in Luke 16:26 or Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians, the focus is on a stability that endures. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that our hearts can be strengthened and settled, allowing us to face life with peace rather than fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do strengthen3×
- to strengthen2×
- would He strengthen1×
- will strengthen1×
- strengthening1×
- strengthened1×
- steadfastly set1×
- he will confirm [you],1×
- has been fixed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στηρίξαι3×
- στήρισον2×
- ἐστήρισεν1×
- ἐστήρικται1×
- ἐστηριγμένους1×
- στηρίξει,1×
- στηρίξει1×
- στηρίξατε1×
- στηριχθῆναι1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 3:2
and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith,
Paul sends Timothy specifically to establish the believers, showing that community support is a primary means by which God strengthens individual faith.
-
II Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
This verse connects God’s faithfulness directly to His action of establishing us, linking our stability to His reliable character rather than our own effort.
-
I Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Peter places the act of being established immediately after suffering, indicating that this divine strengthening is often experienced in the wake of hardship.
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Luke 16:26
Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’
Here the word describes a fixed chasm, illustrating an unchangeable reality that serves as a concrete metaphor for permanent spiritual boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word stērizō mean?
How is stērizō different from simply standing?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 8 books)
Luke 3 verses
It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem
Luke 16:26Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not…
Luke 22:32but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”