Lexical Summary nikos: Victory, Conquest Original Word: νῖκος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance victory. From nike; a conquest (concretely), i.e. (by implication) triumph -- victory. see GREEK nike HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3534 níkos (a neuter noun) – victory, particularly the results of a conquest. In the NT, this victory always refers to the conquest accomplished for the believer by Christ (cf. Mt 12:20; 1 Cor 15:54) – which conquered all the powers of darkness (sin). Accordingly, death can not exert conquest over the believer (1 Cor 15:55). See 3528 (nikáō). Reflection: Christ has already won the day! Thus the believer doesn't fight for victory – but rather from victory! [The results of Christ's conquest come through faith, i.e. they are transferred by grace to the regenerated believer (1 Cor 15:57).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina late form of niké Definition victory NASB Translation victory (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3534: νῖκοςνῖκος, νικους, τό, a later form equivalent to νίκη (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 647; (Buttmann, 23 (20); Winers Grammar, 24)), victory: 1 Corinthians 15:55, 57 (2 Macc. 10:38; (1 Esdr. 3:9)); εἰς νῖκος, until he have gained the victory, Matthew 12:20; κατεπόθη ὁ θάνατος εἰς νῖκος, (A. V. death is swallowed up in victory) i. e. utterly vanquished, 1 Corinthians 15:54. (The Sept. sometimes translate the Hebrew לָנֶצַח, i. e. to everlasting, forever, by εἰς νῖκος, 2 Samuel 2:26; Job 36:7; Lamentations 5:20; Amos 1:11; Amos 8:7, because נֶצַח denotes also splendor, 1 Chronicles 29:11, and in Syriac victory.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope of the Term The noun νῖκος denotes decisive triumph. It presupposes opposition, struggle, and an outcome totally in favor of the one who conquers. While classical writers use the cognate νίκη widely, the New Testament selects the rarer form νῖκος to highlight a victory that is God-wrought rather than merely human. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 12:20 – “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54 – “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:55 – “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” Old Testament Background The quotation in Matthew 12:20 echoes Isaiah 42:3-4, where the Servant of the Lord establishes justice among the nations. Isaiah anticipates a climactic redemptive act in which righteousness prevails. By employing νῖκος, Matthew signals that Jesus embodies the Servant whose mission will not fail; divine justice will be seen to “win.” Christological Focus in Matthew 12:20 Matthew cites the Servant Song while narrating Jesus’ merciful ministry. The same gentle Messiah who refuses to crush the weak is also destined to secure absolute victory. The paradox asserts that gentleness and omnipotence coexist in Christ: His path to triumph runs through compassion, culminating at the cross and empty tomb. Pauline Theology of Victory (1 Corinthians 15) Paul concentrates νῖκος in his resurrection discourse. Three features stand out: 1. The victory is eschatological—“when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable.” By placing νῖκος at both the beginning (verse 54) and conclusion (verse 57) of his argument, Paul frames the entire resurrection hope in terms of final triumph. Triumph over Death Death, depicted as a hostile power, once held undisputed rule (Romans 5:14). In 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 death itself is stripped of its “sting.” The personified enemy is rendered impotent through Christ’s resurrection. Hence νῖκος is not abstract success but the overthrow of the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). Practical Ministry Implications • Assurance: Believers minister from a position of secured victory, emboldening evangelism and pastoral care. Historical Reception Early church fathers viewed νῖκος as central to the Christus Victor motif. Irenaeus spoke of Christ who “bound the strong man” and “seized the spoils.” Athanasius argued that resurrection life nullifies death’s claim on humanity. Chrysostom, preaching on 1 Corinthians 15, exulted that believers “mock death” because its power is already broken. Reformation expositors tied νῖκος to justification, understanding resurrection victory as God’s declarative vindication of His people. Liturgical and Devotional Use Paschal hymns frequently incorporate “victory,” echoing 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. The term also shapes funeral liturgies that emphasize hope beyond the grave. Personal devotion draws strength from the promise that present sufferings are momentary compared to the guaranteed triumph in Christ. Summary νῖκος in the New Testament conveys the once-for-all, God-achieved triumph manifested in Jesus’ earthly ministry, secured through His resurrection, and granted to all who belong to Him. It assures believers that justice will prevail, death will be defeated, and gratitude should permeate Christian life and service. Forms and Transliterations νικος νικός νίκος νίκός νῖκος νίκους nikos nîkosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 12:20 N-ANSGRK: ἐκβάλῃ εἰς νῖκος τὴν κρίσιν NAS: HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. KJV: judgment unto victory. INT: he bring forth unto victory justice 1 Corinthians 15:54 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 15:55 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 15:57 N-ANS |
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