English · KJV
G1236

διάγω

diágō /dee-ag'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom διά and ἄγω
Meaningto pass time or life
KJV usagelead life, living.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of diágō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word diágō, represented by G1236, is defined as to pass time or life. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, but its use is significant in describing the manner in which a life is conducted. The term is used to frame life not just as existence, but as a path that is actively led or spent in a particular state.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two biblical occurrences of G1236 present a sharp contrast between two different ways of life. In 1 Timothy 2:2, the word is used to express the desire to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. This is a life sought through prayer for kings and those in authority. Conversely, Titus 3:3 uses the word to describe a former way of living characterized by being foolish, disobedient, deceived, and serving divers lusts and pleasures. This past life was spent in malice and envy.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the two ways of life described by G1236:

  • G979 bíos (life): This word for the "present state of existence" is the object of the action in 1 Timothy 2:2, where believers are to lead a quiet and peaceable life.
  • G2150 eusébeia (godliness): This describes the character of the desired life in 1 Timothy 2:2, which is to be lived in godliness.
  • G1398 douleúō (to be a slave to): In contrast to leading a godly life, the former life involved serving or being in bondage to lusts and pleasures Titus 3:3.
  • G2237 hēdonḗ (pleasure): This word for "sensual delight" is one of the masters a person can serve when not living a life of godliness Titus 3:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1236 lies in its clear depiction of the believer's past and present realities.

  • The Former Life of Bondage: The use in Titus 3:3 describes the pre-conversion state as one of living in a manner that is foolish G453, disobedient G545, and deceived G4105. This life was defined by serving lusts G1939 and was conducted in malice G2549 and envy G5355.
  • The Desired Life of Peace: The aspiration for the believer is to lead a quiet G2263 and peaceable G2272 life, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:2. This conduct is marked by godliness G2150 and honesty G4587.
  • Conduct and Authority: The ability to lead this peaceable life is directly linked to the stability provided by those in authority G5247, such as kings G935, for whom believers are instructed to pray 1 Timothy 2:2.

Summary

In summary, G1236 is more than a simple verb for existence; it specifically refers to the conduct of one's life. Though used only twice, it powerfully contrasts a life led in bondage to sin with one led in peace and piety. It encapsulates the transformation from a past of being deceived and serving pleasures to the believer's goal of leading a quiet and godly life.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G979 βίος a primary word; life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood:--good, l G2150 εὐσέβεια from εὐσεβής; piety; specially, the gospel scheme:--godliness, holiness. G1398 δουλεύω from δοῦλος; to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary):--be in bondage, (do) serve(-ice). G2237 ἡδονή from (to please); sensual delight; by implication, desire:--lust, pleasure. G453 ἀνόητος from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of νοιέω; unintelligent; by implication, sensual:--fool(-ish), unwise. G545 ἀπειθής from Α (as a negative particle) and πείθω; unpersuadable, i.e. contumacious:--disobedient.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Timothy and Titus (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

1
1 Timothy
1
Titus

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.