Divine Justice: ὑπέχω (Strong’s G5254: hypechō) Reveals God’s Righteous Judgment

Strong’s G5254: A compound verb combining hypo (under) with echō (to hold), meaning to undergo or endure, particularly judgment or punishment. In New Testament usage, it emphasizes divine justice and the reality of accountability before God.

U- Unveiling the Word

ὑπέχω (hypechō) combines ὑπό (hypo, “under”) with ἔχω (echō, “to hold”), creating a vivid picture of being under or subject to something. In Jude 1:7, it specifically refers to undergoing divine punishment, emphasizing the reality of God’s judgment against sin. The early church understood this term as expressing both the certainty and righteousness of divine judgment. Today, this word serves as a sobering reminder of ultimate accountability while simultaneously highlighting the urgency of embracing the Messiah’s redemption.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑπέχω, hypechō, hoop-EH-kho
• Detailed Pronunciation: hoop (as in “hoop”) + eh (as in “men”) + kho (as in “go”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• ὑπό (hypo) – prefix meaning “under”
• ἔχω (echō) – verb meaning “to hold, have”
  Combined to mean “to hold under” or “to undergo”

D – Defining Meanings

• To undergo
• To endure
• To suffer under

For compound words:

• ὑπό (hypo) indicates position under or subjection
• ἔχω (echō) contributes the sense of experiencing or holding

Translation Options:

• “Undergo” – emphasizes the experience aspect
• “Suffer” – highlights the punitive nature
• “Be subject to” – emphasizes submission to authority

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πάσχω (paschō, PAS-kho) – “to suffer” – focuses on experience
  See G3958
• ὑπομένω (hypomenō, hoop-om-EN-o) – “to endure” – emphasizes persistence
  See G5278
• ὑποφέρω (hypopherō, hoop-of-ER-o) – “to bear up under” – focuses on bearing burdens
  See G5297

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, ὑπέχω exhibits these features:

• Tense: Present (in NT usage)
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: N/A (participle)
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Continuous

The word would morph in English as:

• Present: undergo/undergoes
• Past: underwent
• Perfect: has undergone
• Future: will undergo

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide deep insight into ὑπέχω. BDAG emphasizes its legal and judicial contexts, particularly regarding divine judgment. Thayer’s highlights its metaphorical development from physical holding under to experiencing judgment. LSJ traces its classical usage in contexts of accountability and punishment. Vine’s connects it to the theme of divine retribution in Scripture. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of the word, while Moulton and Milligan note its usage in legal papyri concerning penalties and judgments. The lexicons collectively emphasize its significance in expressing both human accountability and divine justice.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Jude 1:7: “As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, [ὑπέχω] suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ὑπέχω powerfully conveys the reality of divine justice and accountability. While its context in Jude presents a sobering warning about judgment, it ultimately points to the necessity and beauty of redemption in King Jesus. The good news is that while this word reminds us of the reality of judgment, it also highlights the magnificent grace of God who provided a way of escape through His Son, who Himself underwent judgment in our place.

D – Did You Know?

• ὑπέχω was commonly used in ancient legal documents for serving sentences
• The word influenced early Christian theology about divine judgment
• Its compound structure mirrors other legal terms in Greek literature

Strong’s G5254: A compound verb combining hypo (under) with echō (to hold), meaning to undergo or endure, particularly judgment or punishment. In New Testament usage, it emphasizes divine justice and the reality of accountability before God.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: judgment, justice, accountability, divine punishment, Jude, warning, redemption, consequences, legal terms, eternal significance​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​