Lexical Summary héttaomai: To be defeated, to be inferior, to be overcome Original Word: ἡττάομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be inferior, overcome. From the same as hetton; to make worse, i.e. Vanquish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to rate lower -- be inferior, overcome. see GREEK hetton NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as héssón Definition to be inferior NASB Translation overcome (2), treated as inferior (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2274: ἡσσάομαιἡσσάομαι, see ἡττάω and under the word Sigma. STRONGS NT 2274: ἡττάωἡττάω: (ἥττων); to make less, inferior, to overcome (the active is only in Polybius, Diodorus, Josephus, Antiquities 12, 7, 1 (other examples in Veitch, under the word)); passive ἡττάομαι, from (Sophocles and) Herodotus down; perfect ή῾ττημαι; 1 aorist ἡττήθην (ἡσσωθην, 2 Corinthians 12:13 L T Tr WH; in opposed to which form cf. Fritzsche, De conform. N. T. crit. quam Lachmann edition, p. 32 (yet see Kuenen and Cobet, N. T. ad fid. Vat., p. xc.; WHs Appendix, p. 166; Buttmann, 59 (52); Veitch, under the word)); to be made inferior; to be overcome, worsted: in war, ὑπό τίνος, 2 Macc. 10:24; universally, τίνι (cf. Buttmann, 168 (147); Winer's Grammar, 219 (206)), to be conquered by one, forced to yield to one, 2 Peter 2:19; absolutely, 2 Peter 2:20. τί ὑπέρ τινα, equivalent to ἧττον ἔχω τί, to hold a thing inferior, set below (on the accusative (ὁ) cf. Buttmann, § 131, 10; and on the comparitive use of ὑπέρ see ὑπέρ, II. 2 b.), 2 Corinthians 12:13. The verb denotes the experience of being bested, outmatched, or made inferior. It speaks of a moral, spiritual, or relational defeat rather than mere physical loss. The focus is on the one who succumbs to a stronger influence and, in so doing, forfeits freedom or standing. Old Testament Background Though the exact Greek term is absent from the Septuagint, its idea echoes the frequent Hebrew descriptions of Israel’s defeats when covenant unfaithfulness placed the nation under foreign powers (for example, Judges 2:14). These narratives prepare the theological soil for the New Testament contrast between bondage under sin and victory in covenant faithfulness. New Testament Usage • 2 Corinthians 12:13 – Paul asks whether the Corinthians were “inferior to the other churches,” highlighting felt deficiency, not of grace, but of their perception of apostolic ministry. Theological Insights 1. Bondage to Sin versus Freedom in Christ. The Petrine uses expose sin’s tyrannical capacity: when one yields, slavery follows. The gospel offers true emancipation; surrendering again to evil opposes the very nature of salvation. Historical and Cultural Background In classical Greek culture the term regularly described military defeat or legal disadvantage. New Testament writers adopt this secular imagery to portray spiritual warfare, communicating to their Hellenistic audiences that capitulation to sin is as real and disastrous as losing a battle or lawsuit. Ministry and Discipleship Significance • Vigilance. Believers must guard against incremental compromises that culminate in full defeat. Regular self-examination, corporate accountability, and immersion in Scripture form a bulwark against relapse. Summary The occurrences of Strong’s Greek 2274 form a cohesive biblical witness: spiritual defeat is real, progressive, and perilous, yet avoidable through abiding in Christ. The term summons believers and leaders alike to steadfastness, authentic freedom, and humble reliance on the conquering power of the gospel. Englishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 12:13 V-AIP-2PGRK: ἐστιν ὃ ἡσσώθητε ὑπὲρ τὰς NAS: For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest KJV: wherein ye were inferior to INT: is it that you were inferior beyond the 2 Peter 2:19 V-RIM/P-3S 2 Peter 2:20 V-PIM/P-3P Strong's Greek 2274 |
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