Quick Definition
I enlist troops
Strong's Definition
to gather (or select) as a warrior, i.e. enlist in the army
Derivation: from a compound of the base of G4756 (στρατιά) and G3004 (λέγω) (in its original sense);
KJV Usage: choose to be a soldier
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
στρατολογέω, στρατολόγω: to be a στρατολογος (and this from στρατός and λέγω), to gather (collect) an army, to enlist soldiers: ὁ στρατολογησας (he that enrolled (him) as a soldier), of the commander, 2Ti_2:4. (Diodorus, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Josephus, Plutarch, others.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
στρατολογέω stratologeō 1x
to collect or gather an army, enlist troops, 2Ti_2:4
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
† στρατολογέω , -ῶ
( < στρατός , λέγω ),
to levy a troop, enlist soldiers: 2Ti_2:4 ( Diod ., Plut ., al. ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
στρατολογέω [page 593]
enlist in the army, in NT only in 2Ti_2:4 . To the exx. in LS 8 add Jos. Bell. v. 9. 4 βοηθὸν ἐστρατολόγησε .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
στρατολογέω στρα^το-λογέω, [Etym: λέγω] "to levy soldiers": Pass., Plut.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
στρατολογέω, -ῶ
(στρατός, λέγω),
to levy a troop, enlist soldiers: 2Ti.2:4 (Diod., Plut., al.).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Enlist as a soldier (4758) stratologeo
The one who enlisted him (4758) (stratologeo from stratos = warfare + lego = in this instance lego means "to choose") primarily means to gather or select as a warrior or choose to be a soldier and is used here in the verb participle form to describe the soldier's commander.
As discussed above, a Christian's commander is Jesus Christ Whom, the One we are endeavor to please. Paul's constant "ambition, whether at home or absent (was) to be pleasing to" his Lord. (2Cor 5:9-note)
The paramount concern of every saint should be to please their Lord in every area of their life. And remember that you can't always be a "people pleaser" and "God pleaser" at the same time. It is impossible to serve two commanders, just as it is impossible to serve two masters (Mt 6:24-note). As the "good soldier" gives himself fully to his calling, allowing no outside pursuits to interfere with his duties as Christ's soldier, he may appear radical to those less committed but he will "please" his Commander. To obey is better than sacrifice. The faithful Christian’s fondest hope is to be rewarded for loyal, obedient service and to hear his Master say,
Well done, good and faithful slave (Note reasons he heard well done - "good", "faithful" or trustworthy - Are you? Am I? We all have some responsibility to be good stewards - e.g., we all have been allotted precious moments of time to redeem and use wisely for His glory! Don't waste your life - see video by John Piper = Don't Waste Your Life); you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master (Mt 25:21)