Greek word · G1128

γυμνάζω

gymnazō

to train

Literally to train naked (gymnos), as athletes did in the gymnasium. More broadly it means to exercise, drill, discipline or condition.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

γυμνάζω

(γυμνός), [in LXX: 2Ma.10:15 * ;]

1. properly, to exercise naked.

2. Generally, to exercise, train the body or mind: 1 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 5:14 12:11, 2 Peter 2:14.

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Hebrews 5:14

Range of meaning: Literally to train naked (gymnos), as athletes did in the gymnasium. More broadly it means to exercise, drill, discipline or condition.
Against the English: KJV/WEB 'exercised', BSB/NASB/ESV 'trained'. Both are accurate. 'Exercised' in KJV English means 'drilled, practised', not 'agitated'.
Used elsewhere in the period: Hebrews 12:11: discipline yields fruit 'to those who have been trained (gegymnasmenois) by it', the same perfect participle. Also 1 Tim 4:7–8 ('train yourself for godliness') and 2 Pet 2:14 (a heart 'trained in greed'). The gymnasium was a central institution of Greek city life and education, including in Jewish diaspora settings (1 Macc 1:14).

From the study of 1 Timothy 4:7

Range of meaning: Literally 'to exercise naked', from gymnos, 'naked', because Greek athletes trained unclothed in the gymnasion. Hence to train or exercise the body, then any disciplined, repeated practice: training the mind, character or skills.
Against the English: BSB/NIV/ESV/NLT 'train', KJV/WEB/YLT 'exercise', NASB 'discipline'. All are sound. 'Train' best keeps the picture of a regimen kept up over time toward a goal.
Used elsewhere in the period: Moral philosophers routinely borrowed the athlete's language. Epictetus devotes a discourse to askēsis, 'training' (Discourses 3.12), and speaks of training oneself against false impressions. In the NT, Heb 5:14 (faculties 'trained' by practice), Heb 12:11 (those 'trained' by discipline), and 2 Pet 2:14 (hearts 'trained' in greed). The noun gymnasia follows in v.8.

From the study of Hebrews 12:11

Range of meaning: To train or exercise, originally as an athlete. It comes from gymnos, 'naked', because Greek athletes trained and competed unclothed, which is where 'gymnasium' comes from. It was extended to any disciplined practice of mind or character.
Against the English: KJV 'exercised thereby' keeps the athletic picture, though modern 'exercised' can also mean 'agitated' or 'worried'. 'Trained by it' (BSB, ESV, NIV, NASB, WEB) is accurate but less vivid than the gym and the running track.
Used elsewhere in the period: Hebrews 5:14: the mature have 'faculties trained (gegymnasmena) to distinguish good from evil'. 1 Timothy 4:7: 'train yourself for godliness'. 2 Peter 2:14. It was widely used in Greek for the athletic training of young men at the gymnasium, a central institution of Hellenistic city life.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 4:7 γύμναζε do train

But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.

Here: The athlete's word, from the gymnasium. Again a present command: keep at the training, as an ongoing regimen rather than a one-off effort.

Hebrews · 2

Hebrews 5:14 γεγυμνασμένα trained

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Here: An athletic word: drilled and conditioned. The perfect tense means training done in the past whose result still holds. Their faculties are now in a trained condition.
Hebrews 12:11 γεγυμνασμένοις trained

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

Here: 'Those who have been trained': the gymnasium word. The perfect tense means the training is done and its effect remains, so these people are now in a trained condition. The fruit goes to those who have stayed with the training, not simply to anyone who went through hardship.

2 Peter · 1

2 Peter 2:14 γεγυμνασμένην exercised

Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.

Here: Athletic language, from the gymnasium. The perfect tense means a training that is finished and whose results last: greed has been drilled into them until it comes naturally.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.