Brief Overview of πολεμέω (Strong’s G4170: polemeō)

Strong’s G4170: A verb meaning “to wage war, fight, or battle,” derived from πόλεμος (war). In the New Testament, it’s used both literally for physical warfare and metaphorically for spiritual conflicts and internal struggles. The term emphasizes active engagement in conflict rather than passive resistance.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πολεμέω represents active engagement in warfare or conflict, whether physical or spiritual. In the New Testament, it appears primarily in contexts addressing internal strife within communities and apocalyptic warfare in Revelation. The early church understood this term as describing both external persecution and internal spiritual warfare. Today, it helps us understand the nature of spiritual conflict and the importance of proper spiritual warfare while promoting peace within the Christian community.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πολεμέω, polemeō, /pol-em-eh’-o/
• Detailed Pronunciation: p (plosive) + ol (syllable) + em (syllable) + eh (vowel) + o (final vowel)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root: πόλεμ- (polem-) from πόλεμος (war)
• Suffix: -έω (-eō) verbalizing suffix
• Function: Creates a verb describing the action of waging war

D – Defining Meanings

• To wage war
• To fight
• To battle
• To engage in conflict
• To contend with

Translation Options:

• Wage war – Best captures the military aspect
• Fight – Emphasizes active conflict
• Battle – Highlights ongoing struggle

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μάχομαι (machomai) /makh’-om-ahee/ – refers to striving/fighting – See G3164
• ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai) /ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee/ – refers to struggling/contending – See G75
• στρατεύομαι (strateuomai) /strat-yoo’-om-ahee/ – refers to serving as a soldier – See G4754

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Middle, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous, Punctiliar

Examples:
Present: πολεμῶ (I wage war)
Future: πολεμήσω (I will wage war)
Aorist: ἐπολέμησα (I waged war)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both literal and metaphorical warfare. Thayer’s notes its use in internal conflicts. LSJ traces its military usage. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Strong’s connects it to sustained conflict. LEH discusses its Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan document its use in military contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
James 4:2: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight [πολεμεῖτε] and quarrel.”

Additional References:
Revelation 2:16, Revelation 12:7, Revelation 13:4, Revelation 19:11

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πολεμέω reminds us of the reality of spiritual warfare while warning against internal strife. It proclaims the good news that Christ has won the ultimate victory, enabling us to fight the good fight of faith with confidence in His triumph.

D – Did You Know?

1. Πολεμέω appears 7 times in the New Testament
2. It’s used most frequently in Revelation’s apocalyptic warfare
3. The word gives us the English term “polemic”

Strong’s G4170: A verb meaning “to wage war, fight, or battle,” derived from πόλεμος (war). In the New Testament, it’s used both literally for physical warfare and metaphorically for spiritual conflicts and internal struggles. The term emphasizes active engagement in conflict rather than passive resistance.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: war, fight, battle, conflict, spiritual warfare, apocalyptic, strife, military, Biblical Greek, New Testament terminology, Revelation, James​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​