Word Study for G837 (αὐξάνω)

auxánō /owx-an'-o/ Ask about this word

Meaninga prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive)

KJV usagegrow (up), (give the) increase.

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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word auxánō, represented by G837, means to grow or enlarge. A prolonged form of a primary verb, it is used in both literal and figurative senses, whether actively or passively. It appears 22 times across 22 unique verses in the Bible, describing everything from the natural growth of plants to the spiritual increase of the believer and the church.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G837 is used to illustrate several types of growth. It describes the natural world, as when Jesus speaks of the mustard seed that grew into a great tree Luke 13:19 or tells his followers to "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow" Matthew 6:28. The word also depicts human development, as seen in the accounts of both Jesus and John the Baptist, who as children grew and "waxed strong in spirit" (Luke 2:40, Luke 1:80). Figuratively, it refers to the expansion of the gospel, where "the word of God increased" in the early church Acts 6:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words help clarify the concept of growth and increase:

G838 aúxēsis (growth): This is the direct noun form of the verb. It is used alongside G837 to describe the body of Christ, which "increaseth with the increase of God" Colossians 2:19.
G1642 elattóō (to lessen): This word serves as a direct antonym. John the Baptist uses it to contrast his own role with that of the Messiah, stating, "He must increase, but I must decrease" John 3:30.
G4129 plēthýnō (to increase or multiply): Often appearing with G837, this word emphasizes an increase in number. In Acts, the Word of God grew G837 and the number of disciples multiplied G4129, showing two aspects of the church's expansion Acts 6:7.
G2901 krataióō (to empower, increase in vigor): This term is used to describe the strengthening that accompanies growth. The accounts of both Jesus and John the Baptist state that as children they grew G837 and waxed strong G2901 in spirit (Luke 1:80, Luke 2:40).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G837 is significant, highlighting key principles of spiritual life and divine work.

Divine Source of Growth: The apostle Paul makes it clear that while humans have a role in ministry ("I have planted, Apollos watered"), it is ultimately "God that giveth the increase" 1 Corinthians 3:7. All genuine spiritual growth originates from Him.
Spiritual Maturation of Believers: The Christian life is presented as a process of continuous development. Believers are called to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord" 2 Peter 3:18 and to "grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" Ephesians 4:15.
Expansion of the Gospel: In the book of Acts, the "word of God" is described as a living agent that grew and prevailed Acts 19:20, signifying the unstoppable progress of God's message in the world.
Christ's Preeminence: The declaration by John the Baptist that Christ must increase while he must decrease establishes a foundational principle of Christian discipleship: the glory and prominence of Christ must continually grow in the life of a believer John 3:30.

Summary

In summary, G837 conveys a dynamic principle central to the biblical message. It moves beyond simple physical development to encompass the spiritual growth of the individual, the numerical and spiritual expansion of the church, and the increasing influence of God's Word. It consistently teaches that whether in a field of lilies or the heart of a believer, true and lasting increase is a gift from God.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 22 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms.

Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Singular 6×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Infinitive 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Passive Participle Genitive Singular Feminine 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
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.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
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 22 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Luke (4 verses).

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Ephesians

Colossians

1 Peter

2 Peter

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