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ἐνέργεια

enérgeia

G1753 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Actual activity, operation, or effective working; the state or mode of being at work or producing an effect. In various contexts, refers to effective power, operation, or a force at work within someone or something. The term emphasizes the actuality and efficiency of an action that produces concrete results, rather than the mere potential to act.

Semantic Range

activity, operation, effective action, active power at work, working, effectual operation, actualization

Root / Etymology

From ἐνεργής (energes, 'active, at work'), itself from ἐν (en, 'in') + ἔργον (ergon, 'work, deed'). Thus, ἐνέργεια literally means 'working' or 'being at work.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In pre-Christian Greek, particularly in Aristotle, ἐνέργεια signified 'activity' or 'actualization,' often contrasted with δύναμις ('potential, capability'); it described the manifestation of something's inherent capacity in action. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, ἐνέργεια continued to denote effective operation, but acquired a broader sense of the active power or operation behind an effect. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it designates effectual power or operation, often with reference to divine, spiritual, or cosmic forces (e.g. God's active power, or the effective working of another being or principle). English translations often render it as 'working,' 'operation,' or 'activity,' but these can obscure its specific sense of realized, effectual action as opposed to mere potential. The New Testament uses the term primarily in Paul, emphasizing not only an 'energy' but the actualized, effectual working—especially of divine power or influence. It is distinct from similar terms such as δύναμις (potential ability, strength) and ἐργασία (the act of working, labor), with ἐνέργεια highlighting activity in actualization and result.

Translation Consistency

primary "work" 8 occurrences

enérgeia emphasizes actual activity or operation—what is at work and producing effects. "Work" is the most natural, flexible English base that conveys effective action, operation, and activity (e.g., "God’s working," "the work of the Spirit") and fits the typical biblical usage better than more technical options like "power" or "operation."

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐνεργής; efficiency ("energy"):--operation, strong, (effectual) working.

Root Family

ἐνέργεια (energeia) — activity, operation, effective working, active power at work

Root ἐνεργ- to be at work, to operate, to be effective

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1753-01 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work 7
G1753-02 ἐνεργείας energeias N GEN F SG working of effective working effective working 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1753-01 Ephesians 1:19 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work
G1753-01 Ephesians 3:7 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work
G1753-01 Ephesians 4:16 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work
G1753-01 Philippians 3:21 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work
G1753-01 Colossians 1:29 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work
G1753-02 Colossians 2:12 ἐνεργείας energeias N GEN F SG working of effective working effective working
G1753-01 2 Thessalonians 2:9 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG working effective operation effective work
G1753-01 2 Thessalonians 2:11 ἐνέργειαν energeian N ACC F SG influence effective operation effective work
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