Lexical Summary philotimeomai: To strive earnestly, to aspire, to be ambitious Original Word: φιλοτιμέομαι 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 Originmid. 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: φιλοτιμέομαιφιλοτιμέομαι, φιλοτιμοῦμαι; (φιλότιμος, and this from φίλος and τιμή); deponent passive (with future middle); frequent in Greek writings from Andocides ( 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. 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). Englishman's Concordance Romans 15:20 V-PPM/P-AMSGRK: 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 1 Thessalonians 4:11 V-PNM/P Strong's Greek 5389 |
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