G4342

προσκαρτερέω

proskarteréō /pros-kar-ter-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom πρός and καρτερέω
Meaningto be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor)
KJV usageattend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, instant in, with), wait on (continually).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of proskarteréō — 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 proskarteréō, represented by G4342, conveys a powerful sense of steadfast devotion and perseverance. Appearing 11 times across 10 unique verses, it means to be earnest towards something, to persevere and be constantly diligent, or to adhere closely to a person or place. It describes an active, persistent commitment rather than passive waiting.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4342 is frequently associated with the life of the early church. Believers are instructed to be "continuing instant G4342 in prayer G4335" Romans 12:12 and to "Continue G4342 in prayer G4335" Colossians 4:2. The early community in Jerusalem "continued G4342 stedfastly in the apostles G652' doctrine G1322 and G2532 fellowship G2842" Acts 2:42. The word also denotes dedicated service, such as a soldier who "waited on G4342 him G846 continually G4342" Acts 10:7 or God's ministers G3011 who are "attending continually G4342" to their duties Romans 13:6.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the concept of steadfastness:

  • G5278 hypoménō (patient): Meaning to endure, bear trials, and persevere, this word is used alongside G4342 to describe a believer's response to hardship: "patient G5278 in tribulation G2347; continuing instant G4342 in prayer G4335" Romans 12:12.
  • G1127 grēgoreúō (watch): This term means to keep awake or be vigilant. It is paired with perseverance in prayer, highlighting the need for alertness: "Continue G4342 in prayer G4335, and watch G1127 in the same" Colossians 4:2.
  • G1248 diakonía (ministry): This word for service or attendance shows the practical outlet for perseverance. The apostles resolved to "give ourselves continually G4342 to prayer G4335, and to the ministry G1248 of the word G3056" Acts 6:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4342 is demonstrated in its application to core Christian disciplines.

  • Perseverance in Prayer: The most common use of G4342 is to describe a persistent, unwavering commitment to prayer. It is not a passive or occasional act, but a diligent and constant spiritual exercise (Colossians 4:2, Acts 1:14).
  • Devotion to the Church: The word characterizes the early believers' dedication to the foundational elements of the church: "the apostles G652' doctrine G1322 and G2532 fellowship G2842," the "breaking G2800 of bread G740," and "prayers G4335" Acts 2:42. This shows that steadfastness is a communal activity.
  • Faithful Adherence: G4342 also illustrates the nature of discipleship and service, whether it is adhering to a teacher like Philip Acts 8:13 or faithfully carrying out one's appointed role as a minister G3011 of God Romans 13:6.

Summary

In summary, G4342 defines a key characteristic of the faithful life. It moves beyond simple endurance to describe an active, earnest, and diligent devotion. Whether applied to "continuing G4342 daily G2596{G2250} with one accord G3661 in G1722 the temple G2411" Acts 2:46 or being "instant G4342 in prayer G4335" Romans 12:12, proskarteréō calls for a steadfast and assiduous commitment to God, His people, and His service.

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 10 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 5×
  • Future Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine 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.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
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.

G4335 προσευχή from προσεύχομαι; prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel):--X pray earnestly, prayer. G652 ἀπόστολος from ἀποστέλλω; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (wit G1322 διδαχή from διδάσκω; instruction (the act or the matter):--doctrine, hath been taught. G2532 καί apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too G2842 κοινωνία from κοινωνός; partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:--(to) c G846 αὐτός from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive prono

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 10 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (6 verses); never once in the other 23.

1
Mark
6
Acts
2
Romans
1
Colossians

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.