στρατολογέω (stratologeō)
stratologeō
to enlist
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb stratologeō means to enlist or levy soldiers for military service. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 2:4, where Paul urges Timothy not to become entangled in civilian affairs so that he may please his commanding officer.
Its meaning comes from two parts: stratos, referring to an army or camp, and legeō, which here means to collect or gather. The word describes the formal act of recruiting troops under a commander’s authority. This military imagery helps Paul explain the kind of single-minded dedication required for Christian ministry.
Translators typically render it as "enlist" or "recruit," keeping the sense of joining a force under orders. The term does not appear elsewhere in Scripture, making this usage unique. Its presence in 2 Timothy highlights the disciplined commitment expected of those serving in God’s work.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word stratologeō describes the formal act of enlisting soldiers into an army. In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul uses this image to explain how we should serve God. He says a soldier does not get tied up in civilian matters so he can please the one who enrolled him. This means giving our full attention to the task at hand.
For your daily life, this word reminds us that serving God requires focus. When we try to do everything at once, we often miss what matters most. Paul encourages us to put aside distractions that pull us away from our primary calling. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we show loyalty and dedication to Him.
This simple image helps us see ministry as a serious commitment. It is not about being busy, but about being available for the One who called us. We can find peace in knowing that single-minded devotion pleases God more than scattered efforts ever could.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having enlisted him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- στρατολογήσαντι1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 2:4
No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
This verse uses stratologeō to describe the act of being enrolled as a soldier, highlighting the need for undivided loyalty to Christ.