Word Study for G5297 (ὑποφέρω)

hypophérō /hoop-of-er'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ὑπό and φέρω

Meaningto bear from underneath, i.e. (figuratively) to undergo hardship

KJV usagebear, endure.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of hypophérō — 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 hypophérō, represented by G5297, means to bear from underneath or, figuratively, to undergo hardship. It is used to convey the concepts of bearing or enduring. Appearing 3 times in 3 unique verses, it highlights a believer's capacity to withstand various forms of adversity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical applications, G5297 describes the active endurance of specific trials. It is used to affirm that God will not allow believers to face temptation beyond what they can bear, promising a way of escape 1 Corinthians 10:13. The apostle Paul uses it to recount the persecutions he endured in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, from which the Lord delivered him 2 Timothy 3:11. The word is also used to describe the act of enduring grief and suffering wrongfully for the sake of conscience toward God, which is considered thankworthy 1 Peter 2:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature of the hardships that require endurance:

G1375 diōgmós (persecution): This word, defined as "persecution," describes the external hostility and affliction that believers are called to endure 2 Timothy 3:11.
G3986 peirasmós (temptation): This term signifies "a putting to proof" or "adversity" that tests a believer's faith, which God makes bearable 1 Corinthians 10:13.
G3077 lýpē (grief): Defined as "sadness," this word points to the emotional and sorrowful aspect of suffering that one must endure, particularly when treated wrongfully 1 Peter 2:19.
G3804 páthēma (suffering): Meaning "something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain," this term is used in close connection with the persecutions Paul endured 2 Timothy 3:11.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G5297 is centered on the divine enablement of believers to withstand hardship.

God's Provision in Temptation: The ability to bear trials is not based on human strength but on the faithfulness of God G2316. He provides a way to escape G1545 so that the temptation does not become overwhelming 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Endurance Through Divine Deliverance: Enduring persecutions G1375 is presented as a testimony to God's power to rescue G4506. Paul's experience demonstrates that believers can withstand affliction because the Lord delivers them 2 Timothy 3:11.
Suffering as an Act of Grace: To endure grief while suffering unjustly is an act that finds favour G5485 with God. This is not a passive acceptance of pain, but an active endurance driven by a conscience G4893 toward God 1 Peter 2:19.

Summary

In summary, G5297 is a specific term for enduring hardship that is made possible by divine support. It moves beyond mere survival, illustrating a God-given capacity to withstand temptation, persecution, and unjust suffering. Through this word, scripture teaches that believers are not left alone in their trials but are supernaturally supported from underneath, enabling them to bear what would otherwise be unbearable.

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

2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Singular: One.
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.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".

Related Words

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.

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 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians, 2 Timothy, and 1 Peter (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

1 Corinthians

2 Timothy

1 Peter

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.