The name of this site comes from the ancient Greek word egeiro (Strong’s G1453), which carries profound meaning throughout the New Testament. Understanding this word helps illuminate the very heart of the Christian message.
Etymology and Basic Meaning
egeiro is a Greek verb meaning:
- To raise up, lift up
- To awaken from sleep
- To rouse, stir up
- To raise from the dead
- To cause to appear, bring forth
The word appears 144 times in the New Testament, making it one of the most significant verbs in Christian theology.
Biblical Usage and Examples
1. Physical Awakening
The most basic usage refers to waking someone from sleep:
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” - Mark 4:39 (KJV)
2. Resurrection of the Dead
The most theologically significant usage concerns resurrection:
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” - 1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” - John 11:25 (KJV)
3. Spiritual Awakening
The word also describes spiritual revival and awakening:
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” - Ephesians 5:14 (KJV)
4. Raising Up Leaders and Prophets
God “raises up” servants for His purposes:
“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” - Acts 3:22 (KJV)
Theological Significance
The Heart of the Gospel
Egeiro is central to the Christian proclamation. The resurrection (using this very word) is what separates Christianity from all other religions:
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” - 1 Corinthians 15:14 (KJV)
Progressive Revelation
The word reveals a beautiful progression in God’s redemptive plan:
- Physical awakening - God’s power over nature
- Miraculous resurrections - God’s power over death
- Christ’s resurrection - God’s ultimate victory
- Spiritual awakening - God’s power over sin
- Future resurrection - God’s eternal promise
Apologetic Implications
For theological apologetics, egeiro represents:
- Historical evidence - The resurrection as a historical claim
- Philosophical significance - What it means for human existence
- Eternal implications - Hope beyond the grave
Sources and Further Study
- Strong’s Concordance G1453: Blue Letter Bible Lexicon
- BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
- Kittel’s TDNT: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. 2
- Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: Classical reference for NT Greek
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)
This exploration of egeiro demonstrates the rich theological depth available in careful biblical word study. Each term in Scripture carries layers of meaning that reward diligent investigation.