5389. philotimeomai
Lexical Summary
philotimeomai: To strive earnestly, to aspire, to be ambitious

Original Word: φιλοτιμέομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: philotimeomai
Pronunciation: fee-lo-tee-MEH-oh-my
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ot-im-eh'-om-ahee)
KJV: labour, strive, study
NASB: aspired, have as our ambition, make it your ambition
Word Origin: [middle voice from a compound of G5384 (φίλος - friends) and G5092 (τιμή - honor)]

1. to be fond of honor, i.e. emulous (eager or earnest to do something)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
labor, strive, study.

Middle voice from a compound of philos and time; to be fond of honor, i.e. Emulous (eager or earnest to do something) -- labour, strive, study.

see GREEK philos

see GREEK time

HELPS Word-studies

5389 philotiméomai (from 5384 /phílos, "lover, friend" and 5092 /timḗ, "acknowledged honor") – properly, to show affection for what is personally valued (honored). 5389 /philotiméomai ("aspiring for what is honorable") refers to pursuing (devoting oneself to) what has great personal value.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
mid. from a comp. of philos and timé
Definition
to love or seek after honor
NASB Translation
aspired (1), have as our ambition (1), make it your ambition (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5389: φιλοτιμέομαι

φιλοτιμέομαι, φιλοτιμοῦμαι; (φιλότιμος, and this from φίλος and τιμή); deponent passive (with future middle); frequent in Greek writings from Andocides (), Lysias, Xenophon, Plato down;

a. to be fond of honor; to be actuated by love of honor; from a love of honor to strive to bring something to pass;

b. followed by an infinitive, to be ambitious to etc., 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Romans 15:20; to strive earnestly, make it one's aim, 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Topical Lexicon
Concept Overview

Strong’s Greek 5389 expresses a holy “ambition” springing from love of what is truly honorable. Rather than a self-seeking drive, it is the Spirit-shaped resolve to pursue God-given goals with energetic devotion. The term appears only three times yet spans private conduct, apostolic mission, and eternal accountability, providing a compact theology of godly aspiration.

Biblical Occurrences

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 – Personal Vocation

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your own hands…”.

Paul calls the Thessalonians to channel zeal into steady, responsible living. The verse guards against restless sensationalism by dignifying ordinary labor done for Christ’s honor.

2. Romans 15:20 – Missional Strategy

“It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not build on someone else’s foundation.”

Here ambition fuels pioneer evangelism. Paul’s longing for Christ’s fame among the unreached shapes travel plans, resource allocation, and personal sacrifice.

3. 2 Corinthians 5:9 – Eternal Accountability

“So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”

The apostle’s ultimate horizon is the judgment seat of Christ (verse 10). Ambition thus becomes eschatological: present choices take their weight from future evaluation.

Theological Significance

1. Sanctified Desire

Scripture never condemns desire itself; it condemns misplaced desire. Strong’s 5389 depicts desire re-centred on God’s will, illustrating how regeneration redirects the human drive for honor toward the honor of God.

2. Integration of Work and Worship

In 1 Thessalonians, the same term that propels evangelistic daring in Romans mobilizes quiet craftsmanship. Christian ambition therefore sanctifies both the marketplace and the mission field, dissolving any sacred-secular divide.

3. Eschatological Motivation

With the judgment seat in view, believers labor not for fleeting applause but for the “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8). The word challenges a culture of self-promotion by rooting purpose in Christ’s commendation.

Historical Reflection

Early church writings echo this dynamic. Ignatius urged the Ephesian believers to “aim to please God” (Letter to the Ephesians 14), reflecting 2 Corinthians 5:9. The missionary ambition of men like Patrick of Ireland and William Carey stands in the Pauline tradition of Romans 15:20, translating holy longing into courageous frontier ministry.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Leadership Development

Elders and ministry trainees should be taught to cultivate ambition for God’s approval rather than platform building. Performance reviews and goal-setting can be framed around pleasing Christ and serving others.

2. Marketplace Discipleship

Local churches can reclaim the vision of 1 Thessalonians 4:11 by honoring vocational excellence and daily faithfulness. Testimonies from tradespeople, homemakers, and professionals illustrate that godly ambition adorns the gospel.

3. Missions Mobilization

Romans 15:20 invites strategic prayer for unreached peoples and encourages believers with pioneering gifts to consider cross-cultural service. Churches can evaluate budgets and partnerships through the lens of frontier ambition.

Warnings and Balance

The same vigor that produces noble outcomes can, if untethered from love, harden into pride. James 3:14-16 contrasts selfish ambition with “wisdom from above.” Continuous submission to Scripture, communal accountability, and the indwelling Spirit keep godly ambition pure.

Contemporary Relevance

In an age that prizes visibility and personal brand, Strong’s 5389 calls believers to quiet diligence, gospel advance, and Christ-centered motivation. Whether coding software, planting churches, or enduring illness, Christians make it their ambition to please the Lord who purchased them with His blood and will soon evaluate every work.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 5389 captures the redeemed heart’s drive to honor God through diligent labor, pioneering mission, and steadfast hope of divine approval. Rightly embraced, this “loving ambition” aligns personal dreams with eternal purposes, ensuring that whatever we do, we “work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

Forms and Transliterations
φιλοτιμεισθαι φιλοτιμείσθαι φιλοτιμεῖσθαι φιλοτιμουμεθα φιλοτιμούμεθα φιλοτιμουμενον φιλοτιμούμενον philotimeisthai philotimeîsthai philotimoumenon philotimoúmenon philotimoumetha philotimoúmetha
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 15:20 V-PPM/P-AMS
GRK: οὕτως δὲ φιλοτιμούμενον εὐαγγελίζεσθαι οὐχ
NAS: And thus I aspired to preach the gospel,
KJV: so have I strived to preach the gospel,
INT: thus moreover being ambitious to preach the gospel not

2 Corinthians 5:9 V-PIM/P-1P
GRK: διὸ καὶ φιλοτιμούμεθα εἴτε ἐνδημοῦντες
NAS: we also have as our ambition, whether
KJV: Wherefore we labour, that, whether
INT: Therefore also we are ambitious whether being at home

1 Thessalonians 4:11 V-PNM/P
GRK: καὶ φιλοτιμεῖσθαι ἡσυχάζειν καὶ
NAS: and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life
KJV: And that ye study to be quiet, and
INT: and endeavour earnestly to be quiet and

Strong's Greek 5389
3 Occurrences


φιλοτιμεῖσθαι — 1 Occ.
φιλοτιμούμενον — 1 Occ.
φιλοτιμούμεθα — 1 Occ.

5388
Top of Page
Top of Page