To lose heart
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13, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Lose Heart as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
Reader summary
Full entry for ἐκκακέω (G1573) · Open the biblical lexicon
13, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Lose Heart as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include we do not lose heart (2), grow weary (1), Let us not grow weary (1), lose heart (1), to be discouraged (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Luke 18:1. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Corinthians (2), 2 Thessalonians (1), Ephesians (1), Galatians (1).
G1573 is represented in this Pauline-focused companion by the reviewed display gloss "to lose heart." In Paul's letters, the term appears in passages such as 2Cor. 4. 1, 2Thess. 3. 13, Eph. 3. 13, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Lose Heart as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
It gives teachers a compact way to notice the term, compare several Pauline settings, and move toward application only after the immediate context has set the boundary. The aim is disciplined clarity: the Greek term can sharpen reading, but it does not replace the grammar, flow, and theological burden of the passage itself.
G1573 appears in Pauline contexts that require close attention to the passage. This companion uses three local anchors to keep the word to lose heart tied to Paul's argument and pastoral aim.
Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2Cor.4.1 anchors G1573 in a local Pauline context where to lose heart must be read from the argument of the passage rather than from a bare word list.
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
2Thess.3.13 shows another Pauline setting for the same term, helping teachers compare usage without forcing every occurrence to carry the same emphasis.
So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Eph.3.13 gives a further control text so doctrine and application remain passage-governed and not driven by the gloss alone.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Greek word. To become weary or despondent in faith, losing courage to persevere in spiritual commitment.
To become weary or despondent in faith, losing courage to persevere in spiritual commitment.
ἐν-κακέω, -ῶ (LTr., ἐγκ-; Rec. ἐκκ-; cf. WH, Notes, 157 f.; κακός, cowardly), [in Sm.: Gen.27:46, Num.21:5, Pro.3:11, Isa.7:16 *;] to lose heart : Luk.18:1, 2Co.4:1,16, Gal.6:9, Eph.3:13, 2Th.3:13 (Cremer, 330).
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
6 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
I am faint, am weary
Read verseI am faint, am weary
Read verseI am faint, am weary
Read verseI am faint, am weary
Read verseI am faint, am weary
Read verseI am faint, am weary
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How this verb appears across 6 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
ἐκκακέω is built from these roots:
G1573 helps teachers slow down where English readers may move too quickly. The word can illuminate Paul's reasoning, but only when it is held inside the sentence, paragraph, and letter. Across 2Cor.4.1, 2Thess.3.13, Eph.3.13, the pastoral value is not novelty. It is the steady discipline of asking how the word serves Paul's gospel logic, church instruction, moral warning, or ministry encouragement in context.
2Cor.4.1
To lose heart is the reviewed display gloss for G1573. In this Pauline-focused companion, local STEP TAGNT evidence shows about 5 Pauline use(s), with common forms including V-PAI-1P 2, V-PAS-1P 1, V-PAN 1. Treat these form signals as support for reading the passage, not as a replacement for context.
The Pauline use of G1573 should be joined to larger biblical theology only through the cited passages and their own contexts. This keeps to lose heart from becoming a free-floating doctrinal shortcut.
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain