Word Study for G4748 (στοιχέω)

stoichéō /stoy-kheh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a derivative of (to range in regular line)

Meaningto march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e. (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety

KJV usagewalk (orderly).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of stoichéō — 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 stoichéō, represented by G4748, carries the meaning to march in military rank or keep step. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses. Figuratively, it means to conform to virtue and piety, often translated as to "walk" or "walk orderly," indicating a life that follows a specific, structured path.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G4748 describes the practical outworking of a believer's faith. It is used to command believers who live in the Spirit to also walk in the Spirit, aligning their conduct with their spiritual life Galatians 5:25. This walk is associated with following a specific "rule" or standard, which brings peace and mercy Galatians 6:16. The concept also involves continuing in a path of spiritual maturity that has already been attained Philippians 3:16. Furthermore, it is used to describe following the example of faith set by others, as in walking in the steps of Abraham's faith Romans 4:12, and to demonstrate observable conformity to the law Acts 21:24.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature of this orderly walk:

G2583 kanṓn (a rule): This term defines a standard of faith and practice. It is used alongside G4748 to specify the "rule" by which believers are to walk (Galatians 6:16, Philippians 3:16).
G2487 íchnos (a track): This word, meaning "step," provides the imagery of following a path. Believers are called to walk in the "steps" of Abraham's faith, suggesting a pattern to be followed Romans 4:12.
G4151 pneûma (a spirit): The "Spirit" is the sphere and power in which this walk takes place. To walk by the Spirit is the external evidence of living in the Spirit Galatians 5:25.
G3551 nómos (law): In certain contexts, this orderly walk involves keeping the "law," demonstrating adherence to a specific set of regulations and principles Acts 21:24.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4748 is significant in understanding Christian conduct.

Conformity to a Divine Standard: The call to walk by a "rule" G2583 establishes that the Christian life is not directionless but is to be lived in alignment with a divine standard Galatians 6:16.
The Outward Expression of Inner Life: The connection between living in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit shows that true spiritual life will inevitably manifest in orderly, consistent behavior Galatians 5:25.
Following Precedent: The instruction to walk in the "steps" G2487 of Abraham's faith highlights the importance of emulating the faith of spiritual predecessors as a guide for one's own conduct Romans 4:12.
Progressive Consistency: The command in Philippians 3:16 to walk by the same rule to which "we have already attained" G5348 emphasizes that spiritual growth involves consistently adhering to the truth already learned.

Summary

In summary, G4748 stoichéō is a dynamic term that moves beyond simple action to describe a disciplined and orderly life. It conveys the idea of marching in step, whether with the Holy Spirit, a divine rule, or a pattern of faith. This word illustrates that Christian living is a structured walk of conformity to God's standard, demonstrating visibly the internal reality of a life lived in the Spirit.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×

Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
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.
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

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 5 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Galatians (2 verses); never once in the other 23.

Acts

Romans

Galatians

Philippians

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.