"an avenger, one who inflicts punishment, Rom. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:6*"
Definition and meaning
an avenger, one who inflicts punishment, Rom. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:6*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἔκδικος
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of ekdikos (G1558) across the King James Bible.
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
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Common questions
Strong's G1558 (ekdikos) is a Greek word that means: an avenger, one who inflicts punishment, Rom. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:6* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word ekdikos (G1558) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1558 is ekdikos, a Greek word defined as: an avenger, one who inflicts punishment, Rom. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:6*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ekdikos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.