Lexical Summary emmainomai: To be furious, to rage, to be mad Original Word: ἐμμαίνομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be mad against. From en and mainomai; to rave on, i.e. Rage at -- be mad against. see GREEK en see GREEK mainomai HELPS Word-studies 1693 emmaínomai (from 1722 /en, "in" and 3105 /maínomai, "behave as a maniac") – properly, locked in the frenzy of rage (fury), and used only in Ac 26:11. Here Paul describes his pre-conversion behavior as deranged (acting completely irrational). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and mainomai Definition to rage against NASB Translation enraged (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1693: ἐμμαίνομαιἐμμαίνομαι (see ἐν, III. 3); τίνι, to rage against (A. V. to be exceedingly mad against) one: Acts 26:11; besides only in Joseph; Antiquities 17, 6, 5. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Nuance The participle ἐμμαινόμενος (Strong’s Greek 1693) depicts a state of being driven by uncontrollable rage, an inner frenzy that eclipses rational thought. It marks zeal that has crossed the line from passionate conviction into blind, destructive fury. Historical Setting in Acts The word appears during Paul’s defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26). Recounting his days as an enemy of the church, Paul says: “In my raging fury against them, I even pursued them to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:11) Luke chooses this rare term to lay bare the intensity of Paul’s former hostility, framing his conversion as nothing less than a divine intervention that halted a man in mid-madness. Paul’s Portrait of Sinful Zeal 1. Depth of hatred—Paul was not merely opposed to the Way; he was “breathing out murderous threats” (Acts 9:1) and seeking to “destroy the church” (Galatians 1:13). Spiritual Madness versus the Mind of Christ Scripture contrasts this frenetic state with the calm clarity produced by the Spirit: The single use of ἐμμαινόμενος therefore becomes a vivid negative foil for the “sound mind” restored in regeneration. Conversion and Restoration The Damascus-road encounter (Acts 9:3-6) turned persecutor into apostle. The word’s solitary appearance highlights how swiftly Christ can eradicate even the most violent hostility. Paul later testifies, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15) Implications for Ministry 1. Hope for the hardest cases—if raging fury can yield to faith, no heart is beyond reach. Doctrinal Connections • Total depravity—the term illustrates the depth of sin’s grip on the unredeemed mind. Contemporary Reflection Believers today confront cultures simmering with anger. Acts 26:11 assures the church that Christ can still quiet storms of hostility, turning enemies into brothers and frenetic energy into fruitful service. Forms and Transliterations εμμαινομενος εμμαινόμενος ἐμμαινόμενος emmainomenos emmainómenosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 26:11 V-PPM/P-NMSGRK: περισσῶς τε ἐμμαινόμενος αὐτοῖς ἐδίωκον NAS: and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing KJV: exceedingly mad against them, INT: Exceedingly moreover being furious against them I persecuted [them] |