Quick Definition
I hasten
Strong's Definition
to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest
Derivation: from G4710 (σπουδή);
KJV Usage: do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
σπουδάζω; future σπουδάσω (a later form for the early σπουδάσομαι, cf. Krüger, § 40, under the word, vol. i, p. 190; Buttmann, 53 (46); (Winers Grammar, 89 (85); Veitch, under the word)); 1 aorist ἐσπούδασα; (σπουδή, which see); from Sophocles and Aristophanes down;
a. to hasten, make haste: followed by an infinitive (cf. σπεύδω, 1), 2Ti_4:9; 2Ti_4:21; Tit_3:12 (others refer these examples to b.; but cf. Holtzmann's Commentary on 2Ti_2:15).
b. to exert oneself, endeavor, give difference: followed by an infinitive, Gal_2:10; Eph_4:3; 1Th_2:17; 2Ti_2:15; Heb_4:11; 2Pe_1:10; 2Pe_3:14; followed by an accusative with an infinitive 2Pe_1:15.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
σπουδάζω spoudazō 11x
to hurry; be bent upon, Gal_2:10 ;
to endeavor earnestly, strive, Eph_4:3 make effort; strive.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
σπουδάζω
( < σπουδή ),
[in LXX chiefly for H926 ;]
t o make haste; hence, to be zealous or eager , to give diligence: c . inf . ( v. M , Pr., 205 f .), Gal_2:10 , Eph_4:3 , 1Th_2:17 , 2Ti_2:15 ; 2Ti_4:9 ; 2Ti_4:21 , Tit_3:12 , Heb_4:11 , 2Pe_1:10 ; 2Pe_3:14 ; c . acc et inf . (on this construction v. Mayor in l ; MM , xxiii), 2Pe_1:15 (for other constructions v. LS , s.v. ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
σπουδάζω [page 585]
make haste, and so am eager, give diligence, with the further idea of effort, as in Gal_2:10 . For σπουδάζω followed by acc. c. inf., as in 2Pe_1:15 for which Mayor ad l. can supply only one ex. [Plato] Alc. sec. 141 σπουδάσαντες τοῦτ᾽ αὐτοῖς παραγενέσθαι , we can cite BGU IV. 1080 .14 (iii/A.D.) σπούδασον ἡμᾶς καταξιῶσαι τῶν ἴσ [ω ]ν γραμμάτων , P Oxy VII. 1069 .10 (iii/A.D.) θέλω δὲ εἰδένε πῶς σπουδάδεις ( l. σπουδάζεις ) αὐτὼ γενέστε ( l. αὐτὸ γενέσθαι ), I wish to know that you are hurrying on the making of it (Ed.), and ib. VI. 939 .18 (iv/A.D.) (= Selections , p. 129) ἕτερά σε γράμματα ἐπικαταλαβεῖν ἐσπούδασα διὰ Εὐφροσύνου , I am anxious that you should receive another letter by Euphrosynus (Edd.).
For the verb c. the simple inf. cf. ib. XIV. 1765 .8 (iii/A.D.) σπούδασον γράψαι μοι , and P Amh II. 144 .7 (v/A.D.) σπούδασον οὖν τὸ μικρὸ [ν ] παιδίον ἡμῶν Ἀρτεμίδωρον [[.]] θεῖναι ἐν ὑποθήκῃ , make haste therefore and put our little slave Artemidorus under pledge (Edd.); and c. the acc., cf. P Fay 112 .18 (A.D. 99) μὴ σπουδασέτωσαν ἅλω ανταλ̣ο̣μμινα , do not let them be in a hurry with the . . . threshing-floor, and P Bouriant 20 .39 (after A.D. 350) σπουδασάτω τὴν χορηγίαν . This last papyrus shows us also .36 τοῦτο γὰρ σπουδάζει , car c est le but qu on se propose (Ed.).
Other instances of the verb with varying meanings and constructions are : P Hib I. 77 .4 (B.C. 249) καθάπερ ὁ βασιλεὺς σπουδάζει , in accordance with the king s desire, P Oxy VII. 1061 .16 (B.C. 22) συντύχηι καὶ σπουδάσει ἕως ὅτου τελεσθῆ [ι , that he may meet him and do his best until it is effected (Ed.) (for constr. see Blass-Debrunner § 369. 3), P Oxy IV. 746 .8 (A.D. 16) τοῦτο οὖν ἐάν σοι φα [ί ]νηται σπουδάσεις κατὰ τὸ δίκαιον , please therefore further him in this matter, as is just (Edd.), ib. I. 113 .24 (ii/A.D.) σπούδασον ἕως οὗ ἀγοράσῃ μ̣οι Ὀννῶφρις ἃ αὐτῶι εἴρηκεν μήτ (ηρ ) Εἰρήνης , take care that Onnophris buys me what Irene s mother told him (Edd.), and from the inscrr. Syll .3 434/5 .19 (B.C. 266 5) φανερός ἐστιν σπουδάζων ὑπὲρ τῆς κοινῆς τ [ῶ
ν ] Ἑλλήνων ἐλευθερίας , and C. and B. ii. p. 470, No. 309 σπουδασάντων κὲ τῶν συνβιωτῶν κὲ λ̄β̄ ἄλλων , of co-operation in the building of a tomb.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
σπουδάζω intr. "to make haste", of things, "to be busy, eager, zealous, earnest" to do a thing, c. inf., Soph. , etc.; also, σπ. περί τινος or τι Xen. , Plat. ; εἴς or πρός τι Dem. ; ἐπί τινι Xen. of persons, σπ. πρός τινα "to be busy" with him, Plat. ; σπ. περί τινα "to be anxious" for his success, "canvass" for him, Xen. ; ὑπέρ τινος Dem. absol. "to be serious or earnest", Ar. , etc.; ἐσπουδακότι προσώπωι with a "grave" face, Xen. trans., c. acc. rei, "to do" anything "hastily or earnestly", Eur. , Plat. , etc.:—Pass. "to be zealously pursued", Eur. , etc.:—esp. in perf. part., "serious", Plat. , etc. Pass., also, of persons, "to be treated with respect, to be courted", Arist. , etc.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
σπουδάζω
(σπουδή), [in LXX chiefly for בָּהַל ;]
to make haste; hence, to be zealous or eager, to give diligence: with inf. (see M, Pr., 205 f.), Gal.2:10, Eph.4:3, 1Th.2:17, 2Ti.2:15 4:9 4:21, Tit.3:12, Heb.4:11, 2Pe.1:10 3:14; with accusative and inf. (on this construction see Mayor in l; MM, xxiii), 2Pe.1:15 (for other constructions see LS, see word).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Study (4704) spoudazo
Be diligent (4704) (spoudazo form spoude = haste) conveys the idea hastening to do something with the implication of associated energy or with intense effort and motivation. It suggest zealous concentration and diligent effort.
Spoudazo speaks of intensity of purpose followed by intensity of effort toward the realization of that purpose.
Spoudazo is found 11 times in the (Gal; Ep; 1Th; 2Ti 3x; Titus; Heb; 2 Peter 3x) and is translated: diligent, 6; eager, 2; make every effort, 3.
Note that Peter uses this verb and the corresponding noun (spoude) (Click for in depth study of spoude) more than any other NT book. Ask yourself "Why"? What is the problem looming on the "spiritual horizon"?
Spoudazo is used in the papyri in such senses as “do your best, take care, hurry on the doing of something.”
Spoudazo is marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application. The idea is give maximum effort, do your best, spare no effort, hurry on, be eager! Hasten to do a thing, exert yourself, endeavour to do it. It means not only to be willing to do with eagerness, but to follow through and make diligent effort. Give your utmost for His highest!
In other words spoudazo does not stop with affecting one's state of mind, but also affects one's activity.
Spoudazo conveys the idea of exertion. It means to be conscientious, zealous and earnest in discharging a duty or obligation.
The verb speaks of intensity of purpose followed by intensity of effort toward the realization of that purpose.
To be diligent is to exert steady, earnest, and energetic effort and suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit. The idea is careful and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties. It means to be assiduous (marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application).
Spoudazo basically means to make haste, and from that come the meanings of zeal and diligence. One commentator describes it as a holy zeal that demands full dedication.
Wuest says that spoudazo means
"to make haste, do one’s best, take care, desire. The idea of making haste, being eager, giving diligence, and putting forth effort are in the word. The word speaks of intense effort and determination." (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)
Peter is saying I will be in a hurry, make haste, be in earnest, concentrate my energy on the achievement of the goal to stir you up. Peter knew that he would soon die, so he wanted to take care of his spiritual responsibilities before it was too late. You and I do not know when we will die, so we had better start being diligent today!
Here are the 11 uses of spoudazo in the NT (click for context)
Galatians 2:10 remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do.
Ephesians 4:3 (note) being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit
1Thessalonians 2:17 (note) were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
2 Timothy 2:15 (note) Be diligent (aorist imperative) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed handling accurately the word of truth
2 Timothy 4:9 (note) Make every effort (aorist imperative) to come to me soon;
2 Timothy 4:21 (note) Make every effort (aorist imperative) to come before winter.
Titus 3:12 (note) Make every effort (aorist imperative) to come to me at Nicopolis,
Hebrews 4:11 (note) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest,
2 Peter 1:10 (note) Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent (aorist imperative = Do this now! Command can convey a sense of urgency) to make certain about His calling (see klesis) and choosing (ekloge ~ election) you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
2 Peter 1:15 (note) And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure
2 Peter 3:14 (note) Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent (aorist imperative) to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless
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