στρατεία (strateia)
strateia
warfare
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun strateia refers to a military campaign or the active service of soldiers in the field. In classical Greek it described an expedition, but in the New Testament it appears only twice, both times with a metaphorical twist. Paul uses the term to describe the spiritual struggle inherent in his apostolic ministry.
In 1 Timothy 1:18, he charges Timothy to wage the good warfare (strateia) based on previous prophecies. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 10:4, Paul clarifies that the weapons of this campaign are not worldly but have divine power to demolish strongholds. The word emphasizes the ongoing, active nature of the conflict rather than a single battle.
This usage distinguishes the Christian life from passive belief. It frames the apostolic duty as a sustained engagement against spiritual opposition. Translators typically render it "warfare" or "fighting," capturing the sense of a structured, purposeful military operation directed by God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word strateia describes an active military campaign rather than a single skirmish. Paul uses this term to remind us that the Christian life involves sustained engagement against spiritual opposition. It is not merely about holding beliefs but participating in a purposeful mission directed by God.
In 2 Corinthians 10:4, Paul clarifies that the tools for this campaign are not worldly weapons. Instead, they possess divine power capable of dismantling strongholds that oppose truth. This perspective shifts our focus from human strength to spiritual reliance.
Similarly, 1 Timothy 1:18 encourages believers to wage this good warfare based on prophetic guidance. This understanding invites us to view our daily struggles as part of a larger, meaningful effort. It offers hope that our efforts are supported by power beyond ourselves.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- warfare2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στρατείας1×
- στρατείαν1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 10:4
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
This verse redefines the nature of spiritual conflict by contrasting human weapons with divine power.
-
I Timothy 1:18
I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
Here the term frames Timothy's ministry as an ongoing campaign guided by specific prophetic instructions.