Brief Overview of στρατεία (Strong’s G4752: strateia)

Strong’s G4752: Military service, warfare, or campaign. From στρατός (army). Used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the spiritual warfare and service of believers. Emphasizes the active, strategic nature of Christian living and ministry against spiritual opposition.

U- Unveiling the Word

Στρατεία represents more than just military service; it embodies the concept of active spiritual warfare and strategic engagement in God’s kingdom work. In the New Testament, Paul uses this term to emphasize that Christian ministry involves spiritual combat against forces opposing God’s truth. The early church understood this military metaphor as highlighting the discipline, dedication, and strategic nature of Christian service. Today, στρατεία reminds us that following the Messiah involves active engagement in spiritual warfare using God’s weapons of truth, righteousness, and love.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: στρατεία, strateia, /strat-i’-ah/
• Detailed Pronunciation: strah-TEE-ah (emphasis on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root word: στρατός (stratos) – “army, encamped army”
• -εία (-eia) – abstract noun suffix indicating activity or service
  The combination denotes active military service or campaign.

D – Defining Meanings

• Military expedition or campaign
• Military service
• Strategic warfare
• Active service or engagement

For compound words: Not applicable as στρατεία is a simple noun with suffix.

Translation Options:

1. “Warfare” – Emphasizes the combat aspect
2. “Military service” – Highlights the disciplined commitment
3. “Campaign” – Captures the strategic, purposeful nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

1. πόλεμος (polemos) /pol’-em-os/ – war, battle, more general term. See G4171
2. μάχη (machē) /makh’-ay/ – fight, strife, emphasizes conflict. See G3163
3. ἀγών (agōn) /ag-one’/ – contest, struggle, emphasizes exertion. See G73

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, στρατεία exhibits these features:

• Case: Nominative/Accusative/Genitive/Dative
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First

Examples of morphological changes:

• Singular: στρατεία (nominative), στρατείας (genitive), στρατείᾳ (dative), στρατείαν (accusative)
• Plural: στρατεῖαι (nominative), στρατειῶν (genitive), στρατείαις (dative), στρατείας (accusative)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical use in Christian context. Thayer’s notes its military origin. LSJ documents its use in classical military contexts. Vine’s highlights its spiritual application. Strong’s connects it to organized military service. Moulton and Milligan show its common use in military documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

“For the weapons of our [στρατεία] warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Corinthians 10:4

Additional References:
1 Timothy 1:18

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Στρατεία powerfully illustrates that following the Messiah involves active engagement in spiritual warfare. Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces opposing God’s kingdom. Through the Messiah, we’re equipped with divine weapons—truth, righteousness, faith, and love—to advance His kingdom and demonstrate His victory over darkness.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word influenced early Christian military metaphors for spiritual discipline.
2. Early church leaders used στρατεία to describe organized evangelism efforts.
3. The term appears in ancient military discharge papers, influencing Paul’s use of military imagery.

Strong’s G4752: Military service, warfare, or campaign. From στρατός (army). Used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the spiritual warfare and service of believers. Emphasizes the active, strategic nature of Christian living and ministry against spiritual opposition.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: warfare, spiritual-battle, military-service, christian-service, spiritual-warfare, divine-weapons, strategic-ministry, spiritual-combat, victory, greek-noun​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​