"pr. to be ambitious of honor; by impl. to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly, Rom. 15:20; 2 Cor. 5:9; 1 Thess. 4:11*"
Definition and meaning
pr. to be ambitious of honor; by impl. to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly, Rom. 15:20; 2 Cor. 5:9; 1 Thess. 4:11*
In the original Greek the word is written: φιλοτιμέομαι
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 philotimeomai (G5389) across the King James Bible.
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
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Common questions
Strong's G5389 (philotimeomai) is a Greek word that means: pr. to be ambitious of honor; by impl. to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly, Rom. 15:20; 2 Cor. 5:9; 1 Thess. 4:11* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word philotimeomai (G5389) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5389 is philotimeomai, a Greek word defined as: pr. to be ambitious of honor; by impl. to exert one’s self to accomplish a thing, use one’s utmost efforts, endeavor earnestly, Rom. 15:20; 2 Cor. 5:9. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
philotimeomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.