νικάω

nikáō /nik-ah'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom νίκη
Meaningto subdue (literally or figuratively)
KJV usageconquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word nikáō, represented by G3528, means to subdue, conquer, overcome, prevail, or get the victory. It appears 29 times across 24 unique verses in the Bible, establishing it as a key term for understanding spiritual conflict and triumph. Its meaning is applied both literally and figuratively, from prevailing in judgment to conquering evil and the world itself.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3528 is used to describe the definitive victory of Christ and the subsequent victory available to believers. Jesus declares, "I have overcome the world" John 16:33, setting the precedent for believers. Consequently, the apostle John encourages believers that they have overcome because "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4. This theme is prominent in Revelation, where a reward is repeatedly promised "To him that overcometh" Revelation 2:7. The means of this victory are made clear: "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" Revelation 12:11. The term also describes the actions of antagonistic forces, as the beast is given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them Revelation 13:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the concept of overcoming:

  • G3529 níkē (victory): This word is the root of nikáō and refers to the conquest itself. It is used to define the mechanism of the believer's triumph: "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" 1 John 5:4.
  • G2816 klēronoméō (be heir, (obtain by) inherit(-ance)): Overcoming is directly linked to reward, as seen in the promise, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things" Revelation 21:7.
  • G4100 pisteúō (to have faith): This is the essential condition for victory. The question is asked, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:5.
  • G4170 poleméō (fight, (make) war): This term often establishes the context of conflict in which victory is achieved. The Lamb will overcome those who make war against him Revelation 17:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3528 is significant and multifaceted:

  • Christ's Foundational Victory: Christ is presented as the ultimate victor. As the Lion of the tribe of Juda, he has prevailed to open the scroll Revelation 5:5, and as the Lamb, he will overcome all opposition Revelation 17:14.
  • Victory Through Faith: The believer's ability to overcome is not based on personal strength but is a direct result of being "born of God" 1 John 5:4. This victory is actualized through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Eschatological Promise: Overcoming is a central condition for receiving future blessings, including authority over nations Revelation 2:26, a place on Christ's throne Revelation 3:21, and the inheritance of all things as a son of God Revelation 21:7.
  • Ethical Imperative: The concept is also a present-day command for Christian conduct. Believers are instructed not to be overcome by evil, but to actively overcome evil with good Romans 12:21.

Summary

In summary, G3528 is a powerful word that frames the Christian life as a spiritual battle with a guaranteed outcome. It moves from Christ's completed work of having overcome the world to the believer's ongoing call to overcome through faith. This victory is not merely an escape from tribulation but a triumph that results in eternal inheritance and fellowship with God.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 28 occurrences, inflected in 16 grammatical forms.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 8×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Plural 3×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 2×
  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • Present Active Participle Dative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Feminine 1×
  • Future Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×

+ 4 rarer forms

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Dative
The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 24 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in Revelation (15 verses).

1
Luke
1
John
2
Romans
5
1 John
15
Revelation

Verse Explorer

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