from διά and ἄγω; to pass time or life:--lead life, living.
Transliteration:diágō
Pronunciation:dee-ag'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb διάγω (diágō), Strong's number `{{G1236}}`, is a compound word derived from the preposition διά (diá), meaning "through" or "across," and the verb ἄγω (ágō), meaning "to lead" or "to bring." Etymologically, it suggests the idea of "leading through" or "carrying through" a period of time or a course of life.
Its core meaning encompasses:
1. **To pass time:** To spend a duration, to go through a period.
2. **To lead one's life:** To live in a particular manner, to conduct oneself.
The semantic range of διάγω extends beyond mere existence (ζάω `{{G2198}}`) to emphasize the *quality* or *manner* in which life is lived. It describes the ongoing process of one's conduct and the character that defines one's daily existence. The nuance is not simply "to be alive," but "to be engaged in a particular way of life" or "to spend one's time in a specific manner."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb διάγω appears twice in the New Testament, both times in the Pastoral Epistles, and in contexts that underscore the nature of Christian conduct.
1. **[[1 Timothy 2:2]]**: "for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may *lead a peaceful and quiet life* in all godliness and dignity."
* Here, διάγω is used in a prayer context, articulating the desired outcome of intercession for governing authorities. The phrase "peaceful and quiet life" (βίον ἥσυχον καὶ ἠρέμον) describes the *kind* of life believers are enabled to live under stable governance. The emphasis is on the external conditions that facilitate an internal state of "godliness and dignity" (εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι). The verb highlights that the *manner* of life — characterized by peace, quietness, reverence, and seriousness — is the goal. This is not a prayer for worldly ease for its own sake, but for an environment conducive to a life that honors God.
2. **[[Titus 3:3]]**: "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, *passing our days* in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another."
* In this passage, διάγω describes the past, unregenerate state of believers. The phrase "in malice and envy" (ἐν κακίᾳ καὶ φθόνῳ) vividly portrays the moral degradation that defined their former existence. The verb here signifies the *pervasive character* of their lives before conversion; their days were *spent* or *conducted* within the sphere of these vices. It serves as a stark contrast to the transformative power of God's grace, which changes not only one's destiny but also the very fabric of one's daily conduct.
In both instances, διάγω is qualified by an adverbial phrase or adjective, indicating the specific *quality* or *character* of the life being lived. It consistently points to the *way* one conducts oneself over a period of time.
### Related Words & Concepts
διάγω intersects with several other Greek terms related to life and conduct, each with distinct nuances:
* **ζάω `{{G2198}}`**: The most common verb for "to live," denoting the state of being alive, existence itself. διάγω adds the dimension of *how* one lives.
* **βιόω `{{G979}}`**: Similar to διάγω, meaning "to live" or "to pass one's life." While often interchangeable, διάγω may carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the *passage* through time or the *process* of living in a particular manner.
* **πολιτεύομαι `{{G4176}}`**: "To live as a citizen," "to conduct oneself as a member of a commonwealth." This verb focuses on one's public and civic conduct, whereas διάγω can be broader, encompassing internal disposition and private life as well.
* **περιπατέω `{{G4043}}`**: Literally "to walk around," but often used metaphorically for "to conduct oneself" or "to live," especially in Pauline epistles (e.g., "walk in the Spirit"). This term often emphasizes one's daily behavior and actions.
Related nouns include:
* **βίος `{{G979}}`**: "Life," often referring to one's earthly existence, livelihood, or means of life. It is directly linked in [[1 Timothy 2:2]] as the object of διάγω.
* **ζωή `{{G2222}}`**: "Life," often with a broader theological scope, encompassing spiritual life, eternal life, or life as a divine gift.
The concept of διάγω is closely tied to Christian ethics, discipleship, and the practical outworking of faith in daily living.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of διάγω lies in its emphasis on the *character* and *quality* of life, rather than mere existence.
1. **The Nature of Christian Conduct:** The use of διάγω in [[1 Timothy 2:2]] underscores that Christian living is not passive. It is an active "leading" of one's life in a manner consistent with godliness and dignity. This implies intentionality and a commitment to righteous behavior, even amidst external circumstances. The prayer for peace is not an end in itself, but a means to facilitate a life that brings honor to God. This highlights the Church's responsibility to live out its faith in a visible and compelling way within society.
2. **Transformation in Christ:** The stark contrast presented in [[Titus 3:3]] reveals a profound theological truth about conversion. Before Christ, humanity's "passing of days" was characterized by sin, malice, and envy. This was not merely an occasional lapse but the defining feature of their existence. Salvation, however, brings about a radical transformation, changing the very "way of life." It moves one from a life *defined by* sin to a life *increasingly defined by* God's grace and righteousness. This emphasizes the holistic nature of redemption, impacting not just one's eternal destiny but also one's present, daily conduct.
3. **Holistic Discipleship:** διάγω suggests that Christian life is not compartmentalized. It encompasses the entirety of one's earthly journey, from the mundane to the spiritual. Every moment, every decision, contributes to the overall character of the life one is "leading." This calls for a comprehensive discipleship that addresses all aspects of a believer's existence, shaping their thoughts, words, and deeds to align with God's will.
### Summary
The Greek verb διάγω `{{G1236}}`, formed from διά (through) and ἄγω (to lead), precisely conveys the idea of "to pass time" or "to lead one's life." Its core meaning extends beyond simple existence to emphasize the *manner* or *quality* with which one lives. In the New Testament, its two occurrences provide profound theological insights into Christian conduct. In [[1 Timothy 2:2]], it highlights the desire for believers to "lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity," underscoring that external conditions can facilitate an internal commitment to righteous living and honorable behavior. Conversely, [[Titus 3:3]] powerfully uses διάγω to describe the pre-conversion state, where individuals were "passing their days in malice and envy," thereby emphasizing the pervasive sinfulness that characterized their former existence. Theologically, διάγω thus underscores the critical importance of Christian lifestyle and the transformative power of the gospel, which radically reorients one's entire way of life from being defined by sin to being increasingly marked by godliness and peace. It calls believers to intentional, consistent conduct that honors God in every moment of their earthly journey.
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