"pr. to cause to rest or lean on, to settle upon; met. to conform, strengthen, establish, 14:22; 15:32, 41; 18:23*"
Definition and meaning
pr. to cause to rest or lean on, to settle upon; met. to conform, strengthen, establish, 14:22; 15:32, 41; 18:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπιστηρίζω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
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 episterizo (G1991) across the King James Bible.
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
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Common questions
Strong's G1991 (episterizo) is a Greek word that means: pr. to cause to rest or lean on, to settle upon; met. to conform, strengthen, establish, 14:22; 15:32, 41; 18:23* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word episterizo (G1991) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1991 is episterizo, a Greek word defined as: pr. to cause to rest or lean on, to settle upon; met. to conform, strengthen, establish, 14:22; 15:32, 41; 18:23*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
episterizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.