Lexical Summary anakephalaioó: To sum up, to bring together, to unite Original Word: ἀνακεφαλαιόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance summarize.From ana and kephalaioo (in its original sense); to sum up -- briefly comprehend, gather together in one. see GREEK ana see GREEK kephalaioo HELPS Word-studies 346 anakephalaíomai (from 303 /aná, "up," intensifying 2775 /kephalaióō, "bring to a head, recapitulate") – properly, head-up, summing up all the parts as a comprehensive (organized) whole. 346 /anakephalaíomai ("recapitulate") shows the head as the "organizing center," causing all the parts to work together in harmony. [R. Lenski denies that the root of 346 (anakephalaíomai) means "head" (kephalē), and prefers kephalaion ("sum") which comes to the same basic meaning. Note that Christ (Eph 1:10) and love (Ro 13:9) relate both to the sum and the head (i.e. both realities).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and kephalaioó Definition to sum up, gather up NASB Translation summed (1), summing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 346: ἀνακεφαλαιόωἀνακεφαλαιόω, (ῶ: (present passive ἀνακεφαλαιοῦμαι; 1 aorist middle infinitive ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι); (from κεφαλαιόω, which see, and this from κεφάλαιον which see); to sum up (again), to repeat summarily and so to condense into a summary (as, the substance of a speech; Quintilian 6.1 'rerumrepetitioetcongregatio,quaegraece ἀνακεφαλαίωσιςdicitur' (ἔργον ῥητορικῆς ... ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι πρός ἀνάμνησιν, Aristotle, fragment 123, vol. v., p. 1499{a}, 33)); so in Romans 13:9. In Ephesians 1:10 God is said ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι τά πάντα ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ, to bring together again for himself (note the middle) all things and beings (hitherto disunited by sin) into one combined state of fellowship in Christ, the universal bond (cf. Meyer or Ellicott on Ephesians, the passage cited); (Protevangelium Jacobi 13εἰς ἐμέ ἀνεκεφαλαιώθη ἡ ἱστορία Ἀδάμ, where cf. Thilo). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Core Idea The verb denotes the purposeful bringing together of divergent elements into a single, coherent whole under a unifying head. It conveys both summarizing and integrating, whether truths, people, or events. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Ephesians 1:10 – The Father’s eternal plan is “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ”. Historical Context Written from within the Greco-Roman milieu, Paul employs a term familiar in rhetorical and accounting circles for totaling figures or restating arguments. By selecting it, he engages his readers’ cultural understanding of orderly summation while announcing a divine purpose that surpasses human systems. Theological Significance • Cosmic Unity in Christ Ephesians 1:10 locates the verb at the heart of salvation history: all created realities find their destiny in Christ as Head. This conveys that redemption is not a mere rescue operation for individuals but the reintegration of the fractured cosmos. The verse anticipates the consummation described in Revelation 21 – 22, where heaven and earth are harmonized. • Fulfillment of the Law through Love Romans 13:9 applies the same concept ethically. The various commandments are not discarded but find their essence—are “headed up”—in the principle of neighbor-love. Thus the Law’s multifaceted instructions find coherence in a relational ethic grounded in divine love. Intertextual Connections • Colossians 1:16-20 amplifies the same theme of Christ’s supremacy and reconciling work. Practical Ministry Implications • Gospel Proclamation Presenting Christ as the integrative center speaks to fragmented modern lives. Evangelism can confidently declare that every human longing for wholeness is answered in Him. • Church Unity Local congregations mirror the cosmic reality by gathering diverse members into one body. The verb challenges divisions and calls leaders to pursue reconciliation grounded in Christ’s lordship. • Discipleship and Biblical Interpretation All doctrines and passages ultimately converge on the Person and work of Christ. Teaching ministries should therefore trace the lines of Scripture toward Him, avoiding disconnected moralism or speculative tangents. • Social Ethics Because love “sums up” the commandments, believers approach societal engagement not through legalism but through self-giving charity. This love remains rooted in obedience to God’s revealed will, ensuring moral clarity. Eschatological Hope The term looks forward to the day when Christ’s unifying headship is fully manifested. Believers participate now through faith and obedience, confident that the final harmony of all things is certain. Summary Strong’s Greek 346 highlights God’s purpose: every created reality, every divine command, and every redeemed person finds coherence and completion in Christ. Whether doctrinal, ethical, or pastoral, Christian life flows from and returns to this unifying Head. Forms and Transliterations ανακεφαλαιουται ανακεφαλαιούται ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται ανακεφαλαιωσασθαι ανακεφαλαιώσασθαι ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι anakephalaiosasthai anakephalaiōsasthai anakephalaiṓsasthai anakephalaioutai anakephalaioûtaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 13:9 V-PIM/P-3SGRK: λόγῳ τούτῳ ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται ἐν τῷ NAS: commandment, it is summed up in this KJV: commandment, it is briefly comprehended in INT: word this it is summed up in this Ephesians 1:10 V-ANM Strong's Greek 346 |
    |