Word Study for G1991 (ἐπιστηρίζω)

epistērízō /ep-ee-stay-rid'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐπί and στηρίζω

Meaningto support further, i.e. reestablish

KJV usageconfirm, strengthen.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of epistērízō — 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 epistērízō, represented by G1991, means to support further or reestablish. Derived from ἐπί and στηρίζω, its usage translates to confirm or strengthen. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within the book of Acts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1991 describes the active work of church leaders to fortify believers. It is used when confirming the souls of the disciples, urging them to persevere through tribulation Acts 14:22. Similarly, the prophets Judas and Silas confirmed the brethren with many words Acts 15:32. The term also characterizes Paul's missionary journeys, where he traveled through regions like Syria, Cilicia, Galatia, and Phrygia for the purpose of confirming the churches and strengthening all the disciples (Acts 15:41, Acts 18:23).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context and purpose of this strengthening action:

G5590 psychḗ (soul): This is the direct object of the action in Acts 14:22, where leaders are confirming the souls of the disciples, indicating a deep, internal form of support targeting the life and mind of a believer.
G3101 mathētḗs (disciple): The primary recipients of this strengthening are the disciples, or learners. Paul's work in Galatia and Phrygia is described as strengthening all the disciples Acts 18:23.
G3870 parakaléō (exhort): This action is frequently paired with confirming. In Acts 14:22, leaders are confirming the disciples and exhorting them. In Acts 15:32, prophets exhorted and then confirmed the brethren, showing that encouragement is a key component of strengthening.
G80 adelphós (brother): This term is used to describe the believers who were confirmed by Judas and Silas, emphasizing the familial and community-focused nature of this ministry Acts 15:32.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G1991 is centered on the active ministry of building up the church.

Intentional Fortification: The word describes a deliberate effort to make believers and churches more stable. This is seen in Paul's specific mission to go through regions for the purpose of confirming the churches Acts 15:41.
Preparation for Hardship: The act of confirming is directly linked to the need for perseverance. In Acts 14:22, believers are strengthened and immediately reminded that they must enter the kingdom through much tribulation.
A Function of Leadership: This action is performed by apostles and prophets, such as Paul, Judas, and Silas, who used teaching and exhortation to strengthen the believers (Acts 15:32, Acts 18:23).

Summary

In summary, G1991 is not a passive state but an active, pastoral verb. It signifies the vital work of reestablishing and reinforcing the faith of disciples, brethren, and entire churches. The term shows a key practice in the early church where leaders would intentionally travel to support communities, using exhortation and teaching to strengthen their souls and prepare them to endure in their faith.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

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

4 verses, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

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.