Lexical Summary andrizó: To act like a man, to be courageous Original Word: ἀνδρίζομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance act like men. Middle voice from aner; to act manly -- quit like men. see GREEK aner HELPS Word-studies 407 andrízomai (from 435 /anḗr, "man") – properly, "to act as a man," i.e. as a full-grown, mature man; (figuratively) to be responsible and courageous by taking the initiatives God reveals through faith (used only in 1 Cor 16:13). Accordingly, 407 (andrízomai) is directly associated with 4102 /pístis ("faith"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anér Definition to behave like a man, to play the man NASB Translation act like men (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 407: ἀνδρίζωἀνδρίζω: (ἀνήρ); to make a man of or make brave (Xenophon, oec. 5, 4). Middle present ἀνδρίζομαι; to show oneself a man, be brave: 1 Corinthians 16:13 (A. V. quit you like men). (Often in the Sept.; Sir. 34:25; 1 Macc. 2:64; Xenophon, Plato, Appian, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 407 represents a vigorous summons to courageous action. It appears only once in the Greek New Testament yet resonates with a rich web of biblical exhortations calling the people of God to steadfast bravery undergirded by faith. Biblical Occurrence and Immediate Context 1 Corinthians 16:13 reads, “Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.” (Berean Standard Bible). The verb translated “be men of courage” stands at the heart of Paul’s four-fold charge closing the letter. The apostle has addressed divisions, immorality, doctrinal confusion, and disorder in worship; he now gathers his counsels into an urgent, martial cadence aimed at the whole congregation—men and women alike—summoning every believer to fortitude as spiritual conflict intensifies. Intertextual Echoes with the Old Testament Paul’s choice of language intentionally echoes recurring Hebrew imperatives: These Old Testament calls were often given at moments of covenant transition (Moses to Joshua), royal responsibility (David to Solomon), or national threat. By drawing on this heritage, Paul frames the Corinthian assembly as participants in the same redemptive storyline that demanded resolute obedience from Israel’s leaders and soldiers. Theological Significance 1. A Virtue Anchored in Faith: Courage is not mere self-confidence but a grace grounded in “the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13), the body of truth about Christ’s death and resurrection previously expounded (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). Historical Reception in the Church Early patristic writers viewed the verse as a universal summons to martyr-faithfulness. Chrysostom linked it to Polycarp’s steadfastness, urging believers facing persecution to “play the man.” Medieval commentators applied it to monastic discipline, while Reformers such as John Calvin treated it as a directive to resist doctrinal error. Across centuries, hymnody and catechesis have employed the phrase to inspire missionary zeal and pastoral endurance. Practical Implications for Personal Discipleship • Moral Purity: Corinthians living in a decadent port city needed moral resolve; contemporary believers confront analogous pressures and gain strength from the same command. Implications for Corporate Worship and Ministry • Leadership Formation: Elders, deacons, and ministry workers must cultivate holy bravery to guard sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). Christological Dimension Jesus embodies ultimate courage, setting His face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and enduring the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Believers draw on His victory, knowing that union with the risen Christ provides both motive and power to obey the exhortation. Eschatological Hope Revelation pictures overcomers who “loved not their lives unto death” (Revelation 12:11). The present call to courageous living anticipates final vindication when the faithful share in the reign of the Lamb (Revelation 20:4). Assurance of future glory fuels present steadfastness. Conclusion Though Strong’s Greek 407 surfaces only once, its imperative pulse beats through Scripture—from Moses’ handover to Joshua, through Davidic kingship, to the Apostolic foundation of the Church—calling every generation to vigilant, faith-anchored courage until Christ returns. Forms and Transliterations ανδριζεσθε ανδρίζεσθε ἀνδρίζεσθε ανδρίζου ανδριούμαι ανδριούμεθα άνδρισαι ανδρόγυνον ανδρογύνων ανδρυνθώσιν andrizesthe andrízestheLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 16:13 V-PMM/P-2PGRK: τῇ πίστει ἀνδρίζεσθε κραταιοῦσθε NAS: in the faith, act like men, be strong. KJV: the faith, quit you like men, be strong. INT: the faith act like men be strong |