### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **nauagéō**, represented by `{{G3489}}`, means **to be shipwrecked**. The term is derived from a compound of words for ship and to lead, and it can be used literally or figuratively to describe ruin and destruction. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, giving it a very specific and potent application.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{G3489}}` is applied in two distinct contexts. The first is a literal account of physical suffering, where the Apostle Paul lists the perils he has endured for the sake of the gospel, stating, "thrice I **suffered shipwreck**" [[2 Corinthians 11:25]]. The second use is a figurative one, serving as a spiritual warning. Paul instructs Timothy to hold onto faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and as a result "have made **shipwreck**" concerning their faith [[1 Timothy 1:19]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the literal and figurative contexts of being shipwrecked:
* `{{G1037}}` **bythós**: This word for **deep** or sea is directly associated with the literal event of a shipwreck, as Paul mentions spending "a night and a day in the **deep**" [[2 Corinthians 11:25]].
* `{{G4102}}` **pístis**: Defined as **faith** or moral conviction, this is what is destroyed in the figurative sense of shipwreck. Paul exhorts believers to "stand fast in the **faith**" [[1 Corinthians 16:13]] to avoid such a fate.
* `{{G4893}}` **syneídēsis**: Meaning **conscience** or moral consciousness, this is the crucial element that, when put away, leads to the shipwreck of faith. Paul describes the goal of Christian instruction as love that comes from a "good **conscience**" [[1 Timothy 1:5]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G3489}}` lies in its powerful imagery of total disaster.
* **The Reality of Physical Peril:** The use in [[2 Corinthians 11:25]] places literal shipwreck among other severe hardships like being beaten with rods `{{G4463}}` and stoned `{{G3034}}`, underscoring the real-world dangers faced in apostolic ministry.
* **The Ruin of Faith:** The metaphorical use in [[1 Timothy 1:19]] illustrates that faith is not indestructible. It can be ruined by actively rejecting or putting away `{{G683}}` a good conscience, leading to spiritual devastation.
* **The Mandate to Hold Fast:** The opposite of shipwreck is to hold `{{G2192}}` onto faith and a good conscience. This implies that spiritual stability requires active vigilance and a commitment to maintaining both belief and moral integrity.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G3489}}` serves as a potent and stark warning. While it describes a literal, life-threatening event in Paul's ministry, its greater significance is found in its use as a metaphor for spiritual ruin. The word illustrates that abandoning a good conscience can lead to the complete wreckage of one's faith, a disaster from which there may be no easy recovery.
TRV