Quick Definition
ἐνεργής, ές Adj effective
Strong's Definition
active, operative
Derivation: from G1722 (ἐν) and G2041 (ἔργον);
KJV Usage: effectual, powerful
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐνεργής, -ἐς, (i. 4. ἐνεργός, equiv. to ὁ ὧν ἐν τῷ ἔργῳ [Eng. at work]), active: Heb. ἵν. 12: by a somewhat incongruous fig., in 1 Co. xvi. 9 a θύρα ἐνεργής is spoken of, ‘an opportunity for the working of the gospel’; evepy. γίνομαι ἔν τινι, in something, Philem. ys. 6. ([Aristot.], Polyb., Diod., Plut., al.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐνεργής energēs 3x
active, Phlm. 6; efficient, energetic, Heb. 4:12; adapted to accomplish a thing, effectual, 1 Cor. 16:9*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* ἐνεργής, -ές
(late form of ἐνεργός, on wh. cf. AR, Eph., 241),
at work, active, effective: I Co 16:9, Phm 6, He 4:12 (Cremer, 261).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐνεργής. This adj. in the form ἐνεργός is applied to a mill ‘‘in working order "-- μυλαῖον évepydv—in P Ryl IT. 1671° (a.p. 39), cf. 26. 3215 (ii/aA.D.), BGU IV. 10674 (A.D. 101-2), and P Oxy XII. 14616 (a.p. 222). In P Oxy I. 8414 (a.p. 316) it is used of ‘‘ wrought” ἴζοη - σιδή[ρο]ν ἐνεργοῦ, and in Syll g29™ (ii/B.c.) of ‘‘tilled” land—trépxoveay τὴν διαμφισβητουμένην χώραν evepydv. In PSI IV. 341° (B.c. 256-5) the reference is to persons—tva ody évepyol ὦμεν : cf. 7b. 4078 (iii/B.c.). For the NT form ἐνεργής, cf. Vett. Val. p- 27611 ἐν τούτοις yap τὰ ἀποτελέσματα ἐνεργῆ τὴν δύναμιν κέκτηνται, and the new literary text P Oxy VIII. τοϑ8δ5 (early i/A.D.), where a medical receipt is described as évepyés ἱκανῶς, “‘tolerably strong.’
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἐνεργής, ἐναργής (energēs, enargēs) — effective. ἐνεργ-ής, ές, later form of ἐνεργός, active, effective, μηχανὰς ἐνεργεῖς ποιοῦντες [Refs 1st c.BC+]; of medicines, strong, [Refs 1st c.AD+] more effective, πρός τινα [Refs 4th c.BC+]: superlative -έστατος, πρός τι [Refs 1st c.BC+]
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐνεργής, -ές
(late form of ἐνεργός, on WH. cf. AR, Eph., 241),
at work, active, effective: 1Co.16:9, Phm 6, Heb.4:12 (Cremer, 261).†
(AS)
📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin
Active (1756) energes
Active (1756) (energes from en = in + érgon = work) describes that which is working, efficient, effective, operative or powerful. Energes describes activity which produces results or which is effective in causing something to happen or to come about. The somber warnings that have reverberated through Hebrews 3-4 are working and effective words which are able to accomplish their purpose.
Energes is only used three times in the NT. Paul uses to describe
a wide (megas = great, large) door for effective (energes - God opened this door) [service] (not in the original Greek) has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (literally = those lined up against me). (1Corinthians 16:9)
Writing to Philemon Paul prays...
that the fellowship of your faith may become effective (energes) through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake.
Using the related verb energeo Paul writes to the saints at Thessalonica thanking God...
that when you received (took hold of) from us the word of God's message, you accepted (put out the welcome mat so to speak) it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work (energeo - present tense = continually) in you who believe. (1Thessalonians 2:13-note)
Leon Morris...
"Living and active" shows that there is a dynamic quality about God's revelation. It does things. Specifically it penetrates and, in this capacity, is likened to a "double-edged sword" (for the sword, cf. Is 49:2; Ep 6:17-note; Re 19:15-note; and for the double-edged idea, cf. Re 1:16-note; Re 2:12-note). (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing or Pradis = computer version)
Regarding the Word being active, Barnes writes that...
Its power is seen in awakening the conscience; alarming the fears; laying bare the secret feelings of the heart; and causing the sinner to tremble with the apprehension of the coming judgment. All the great changes in the moral world for the better, have been caused by the power of truth. They are such as the truth in its own nature is fitted to effect; and, if we may judge of its power by the greatness of the revolutions produced, no words can over-estimate the might of the truth which God has revealed. (Albert Barnes. Barnes NT Commentary)
AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO EDGED SWORD: kai tomoteros huper pasan machairan distomon: (Psalms 45:3; 149:6; Proverbs 5:4; Isaiah 11:4; 49:2; Acts 2:37; 5:33; Ephesians 6:17; Revelation 1:16; 2:16; 19:15,21)
As D. Martin Lloyd-Jones said...
The first thing the Bible does is to make man take a serious view of life.
