Lexical Summary prokaleó: To provoke, to challenge, to call forth Original Word: προκαλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance provoke. Middle voice from pro and kaleo; to call forth to oneself (challenge), i.e. (by implication) to irritate -- provoke. see GREEK pro see GREEK kaleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and kaleó Definition to call forth, challenge NASB Translation challenging (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4292: προκαλέωπροκαλέω, προκάλω: present middle participle προκαλούμενος; to call forth (cf. πρό, d. α.); middle to call forth to oneself, especially to challenge to a combat or contest with one; often so from Homer down; hence, to provoke, to irritate: Galatians 5:26 ((εἰς ὠμότητα καί ὀργήν, Herodian, 7, 1, 11, 4 edition, Bekker)). Topical Lexicon Word and ConceptStrong’s Greek 4292 portrays the deliberate act of calling someone out—an invitation to rivalry rather than fellowship. Its single New Testament appearance, Galatians 5:26, situates the word at the heart of Paul’s warning against prideful comparison: “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another”. Whereas healthy exhortation spurs believers toward love and good works, the action expressed by this verb goads others into competitive self-assertion that fractures unity. Context in Galatians 5 Galatians contrasts two realms of influence: “the flesh” with its works (5:19-21) and “the Spirit” with His fruit (5:22-23). Verse 26 is Paul’s final caution in the paragraph: even orthodox doctrine loses its power if believers indulge the fleshly impulse to parade achievements. The three participles—becoming conceited, provoking, envying—form a downward spiral: vainglory breeds the urge to challenge; challenge invites jealousy; jealousy returns to feed conceit. The Spirit-filled life, by contrast, expresses itself in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Literary and Cultural Background Greco-Roman society admired competitive honor. Public debates, athletic contests, and patronage networks all rewarded those who could showcase superiority. Jewish opponents in Galatia, pressing circumcision as a badge of distinction, tapped into the same cultural current. Paul’s use of this verb therefore exposes how the gospel runs counter to prevailing social norms: status is received by grace, not seized by self-promotion. Relation to Other Biblical Ideas 1. Unholy Provocation 2. Holy Stirring A different Greek verb (paroxysmós) is used in Hebrews 10:24 to command, “let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Scripture therefore distinguishes fleshly provocation from Spirit-led encouragement. Early Christian Commentary • Chrysostom links the Galatians warning to Christ’s humility: “He who washed disciples’ feet left no room for boasting.” Ministry Implications 1. Personal Discipleship 2. Congregational Life 3. Leadership and Teaching 4. Conflict Resolution Questions for Self-Examination • Do I feel threatened by another believer’s success? Key Points for Teaching • Provocation, in the Pauline sense, is a fleshly work that corrodes fellowship. Forms and Transliterations προκαλουμενοι προκαλούμενοι prokaloumenoi prokaloúmenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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