ἐκκακέω
ekkakéō
G1573
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lose motivation, to become discouraged, or to grow weary, especially under sustained trial, pressure, or difficulty. In various contexts, can refer to actions or attitudes ranging from giving up, losing heart, being disheartened, or failing to persist.
Semantic Range
to become discouraged, to lose heart, to give up, to falter, to grow weary, to fail to persevere, to faint (metaphorically), to yield to discouragement
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition ἐκ ('out of') and κακός ('bad, evil, weak'). The compound thus originally denotes being or becoming 'bad out of' or 'coming to a bad/weak condition.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἐκκακέω appears chiefly in later Greek, including the Septuagint and more prominently in the New Testament. Its attested usage suggests a sense stronger than mere physical tiredness, often referencing emotional or inner discouragement resulting in giving up or failing to persevere, especially in moral or spiritual endeavors. The verb is used in exhortative contexts (e.g., Gal 6:9, 2 Cor 4:1, 16; Eph 3:13; Lk 18:1), urging hearers not to lose heart or give up. In classical Greek, comparable forms are rare or absent. In the Septuagint and NT, ἐκκακέω often translates Hebrew terms conveying failing, languishing, or losing strength, but its NT usage emphasizes inner resolve rather than physical weakness. English translations such as 'to faint' or 'to lose heart' capture some, but not all, of its nuance: the primary emphasis is generally on perseverance and not succumbing to discouragement. Distinguished from ἀθυμέω ('to be disheartened, despondent'), ἐκκακέω is focused more on the process or act of yielding to discouragement rather than the abiding state.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and κακός; to be (bad or) weak, i.e. (by implication) to fail (in heart):--faint, be weary.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.