Lexical Summary stékó: Stand firm, stand fast Original Word: στήκω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: stékó
Pronunciation: stay'-ko
Phonetic Spelling: (stay'-ko)
KJV: stand (fast)
NASB: stand firm, stand, standing firm, stands, standing
Word Origin: [from the perfect tense of G2476 (ἵστημι - standing)]
1. to be stationary
2. (figuratively) to persevere Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stand fast. From the perfect tense of histemi; to be stationary, i.e. (figuratively) to persevere -- stand (fast). see GREEK histemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the perf. tense of histémiDefinitionto stand, spec. stand firm NASB Translationstand (2), stand firm (4), standing (1), standing firm (2), stands (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4739: στήκωστήκω; (an inferior Greek word, derived from ἕστηκα, perfect of ἵστημι; see Buttmann, 48 (41); ( Winers Grammar, 24, 26 (25); WH. Appendix, p. 169; Veitch, under the word ( ἑστήκω; Mullach, under the word στέκω (p. 299))); to stand: Mark ( T Tr WH); Mark 11:25 ((cf. ὅταν c. β.)); John 1:26 L marginal reading T Tr text WH; (Revelation 12:4 WH (but see below)); with an emphasis, to stand firm; tropically, to persist, persevere (A. V. stand fast): absolutely to persevere in godliness and rectitude, 2 Thessalonians 2:15; ἐν κυρίῳ, in one's fellowship with the Lord, Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8 ((cf. ἐάν, I. 2 b.)); ἐν τῇ πίστει, 1 Corinthians 16:13; ἐν ἑνί πνεύματι, Philippians 1:27; to keep one's standing (opposed to ζυγῷ ἐνέχομαι), τῇ ἐλευθερία, maintain your allegiance to freedom (cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 1 k.; Buttmann, § 133, 12; but L T Tr WH take στήκετε here absolutely; cf. Lightfoot ad loc.), Galatians 5:1; to stand erect, tropically, not to sin (opposed to πίπτειν equivalent to to sin), τῷ κυρίῳ, dative commodi (Winer's Grammar, as above), Romans 14:4. (In John 8:44 (ἐν τῇ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστηκεν) WH read the imperfect ἔστηκεν (where others adopt ἕστηκεν from ἵστημι), owing to the preceding οὐκ (T WH after manuscripts א B* D L etc.); see Westcott's Commentary on John, the passage cited 'Additional Note'; WH, Introduction, § 407. But such an imperfect is nowhere else found (yet cf. Revelation 12:4 WH), and respecting confusion in the ancient use of the breathings, and the interchange of οὐκ and ὀχ, see οὐ at the beginning and references there, especially Tdf. Proleg., p. 90; moreover, the familiar perfect (present) of ἵστημι thoroughly suits the context; see ἵστημι, II. 2 d.) ((The Sept., Exodus 14:13, Alex., Complutensian; 1 Kings 8:11); Alex.; Aphr. probl. 1, 49 vat.; ecclesiastical writings.)
Topical Lexicon New Testament Distribution John 8:44; Revelation 12:4; Romans 14:4; Mark 11:25; Mark 3:31; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Eleven occurrences cluster in Gospel narrative, Pauline instruction, and Johannine apocalypse, illustrating a single thread: one either “stands” in God-given truth or one does not. Exhortations to Believers • Mark 11:25 couples physical posture with spiritual readiness: “And when you stand praying, forgive…”. Standing before God must be marked by forgiving others.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13 commands vigilance: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong.” Stability in doctrine produces moral bravery.
• Galatians 5:1 ties steadfastness to Christian liberty: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.” Believers guard gospel freedom by refusing legalistic bondage.
• Philippians 1:27 and 4:1 emphasize unity: “...standing firm in one spirit…”, “...stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” Corporate steadfastness strengthens witness.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:8 locates pastoral joy in congregational perseverance: “For now we can live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:15 adds the safeguarding of apostolic tradition: “Stand firm and hold to the traditions we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” Contrast: The Failure to Stand John 8:44 portrays the devil who “does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” Refusal to remain in truth exposes moral corruption. Revelation 12:4 shows the dragon “standing before the woman…to devour her child,” an antithetical stance of hostile readiness against God’s redemptive plan. Scripture thus juxtaposes holy steadfastness with satanic opposition. Judicial and Household Contexts Romans 14:4 transfers the image to a servant who “stands or falls” under his own master’s scrutiny, underlining personal accountability to the Lord rather than to human critics. Mark 3:31 pictures Jesus’ relatives “standing outside,” a neutral narrative use that nevertheless symbolically separates natural kinship from spiritual allegiance. Historical Background In Greco-Roman society, the verb described soldiers holding the line, plaintiffs standing before a magistrate, worshipers at prayer, and laborers fixed in their posts. The New Testament appropriates each nuance: warfare (spiritual conflict), courtroom (divine judgment), liturgy (prayer), and vocation (calling). Theological Significance 1. Gospel Fidelity—To stand is to cling to apostolic truth preserved in Scripture.
2. Perseverance—The perfect-tense root underscores a past action with ongoing results: believers have been made to stand and must continue in that grace.
3. Freedom in Christ—Steadfastness protects against both legalism and licentiousness.
4. Unity—Standing “in one spirit” resists factionalism.
5. Eschatological Readiness—Opposition from the dragon demands immovable allegiance to Christ until His return. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Preaching should summon hearers to unwavering commitment amid cultural pressure.
• Discipleship trains believers to stand through prayer, Scripture intake, and mutual encouragement.
• Church discipline guards the congregation’s ability to stand corporately in purity and doctrine.
• Counseling applies Romans 14:4, reminding troubled consciences that the Lord is able to make His servants stand.
• Missions rely on Philippians 1:27: gospel advance depends on churches standing “side by side for the faith.” Summary Strong’s Greek 4739 paints a vivid biblical call: remain immovable in the truth, enabled by divine grace, until the day when standing faith becomes sight. Forms and Transliterations εστηκεν ἔστηκεν ἕστηκεν εστηλώθη εστηλωμένοι εστηλωμένος εστηλωμένους εστήλωσαν εστήλωσέ στηκει στήκει στηκετε στήκετε στήκητε στηκοντες στήκοντες στήλαι στήλας στήλη στήλην στηλογραφία στηλογραφίαν στήλωμα στήλων στήλωσον στήμονα στήμονι στήμονος στήμων στήριγμα στηρίγματος στηριγμάτων esteken estēken ésteken éstēken hesteken hestēken hésteken héstēken stekei stēkei stḗkei stekete stēkete stḗkete stekontes stēkontes stḗkontesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 3:31 V-PPA-NMPGRK: καὶ ἔξω στήκοντες ἀπέστειλαν πρὸςNAS: arrived, and standing outside INT: and outside standing sent to Mark 11:25 V-PIA-2P
GRK: καὶ ὅταν στήκετε προσευχόμενοι ἀφίετε
NAS: Whenever you stand praying, forgive,
KJV: And when ye stand praying, forgive,
INT: And when you may stand praying forgive John 8:44 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ἀληθείᾳ οὐκ ἔστηκεν ὅτι οὐκ
INT: truth not has stood because not Romans 14:4 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει
NAS: To his own master he stands or falls;
KJV: master he standeth or
INT: own master he stands or falls 1 Corinthians 16:13 V-PMA-2P
GRK: Γρηγορεῖτε στήκετε ἐν τῇ
NAS: Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith,
KJV: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith,
INT: Watch you stand firm in the Galatians 5:1 V-PMA-2P
GRK: Χριστὸς ἠλευθέρωσεν στήκετε οὖν καὶ
NAS: therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject
KJV: Stand fast therefore in the liberty
INT: Christ made free stand firm therefore and Philippians 1:27 V-PIA-2P
GRK: ὑμῶν ὅτι στήκετε ἐν ἑνὶ
NAS: I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one
KJV: affairs, that ye stand fast in one
INT: you that you stand firm in one Philippians 4:1 V-PMA-2P
GRK: μου οὕτως στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ
NAS: in this way stand firm in the Lord,
KJV: crown, so stand fast in the Lord,
INT: of me thus stand firm in [the] Lord 1 Thessalonians 3:8 V-PIA-2P
GRK: ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ
NAS: if you stand firm in the Lord.
KJV: if ye stand fast in the Lord.
INT: if you should stand firm in [the] Lord 2 Thessalonians 2:15 V-PMA-2P
GRK: οὖν ἀδελφοί στήκετε καὶ κρατεῖτε
NAS: brethren, stand firm and hold
KJV: brethren, stand fast, and
INT: then brothers stand firm and hold fast Revelation 12:4 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ὁ δράκων ἔστηκεν ἐνώπιον τῆς
INT: the dragon stands before the Strong's Greek 4739
11 Occurrences
ἔστηκεν — 2 Occ.
στήκει — 1 Occ.
στήκετε — 7 Occ.
στήκοντες — 1 Occ.
|
