Greek word · G1476

ἑδραῖος

hedraios

steadfast

Built on hedra, 'seat, chair, base, foundation'. In classical Greek it means 'sitting, sedentary', then 'steady, firmly fixed, stable'. By New Testament times it is used of firmly settled things and, figuratively, of people who are firm and resolved (BDAG: 'firm, steadfast').

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἑδραῖος, -ον (ἕδρα, a seat), [in Sm.: Psalm 33:14, al. ;]

1. sitting, seated.

2. steadfast, firm; metaphorically, of moral fixity: 1 Corinthians 7:37 15:58, Colossians 1:23.

† (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 1 Corinthians 15:58

Range of meaning

Built on hedra, 'seat, chair, base, foundation'. In classical Greek it means 'sitting, sedentary', then 'steady, firmly fixed, stable'. By New Testament times it is used of firmly settled things and, figuratively, of people who are firm and resolved (BDAG: 'firm, steadfast').

Against the English

'Steadfast' (KJV, BSB, WEB, ESV) is accurate but abstract. NIV's 'stand firm' adds a standing posture, but the Greek picture is being well seated, resting securely on a base. NASB 2020's 'firm' is close.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament it appears three times, all in Paul's letters. 1 Cor 7:37: the man who 'stands firm (hedraios) in his heart'. Col 1:23: 'grounded and settled (hedraioi) and not shifted (mē metakinoumenoi) from the hope of the gospel', which pairs the same two ideas as this verse, with the root of ametakinētos. The related noun hedraiōma, 'foundation, bulwark', describes the church in 1 Tim 3:15.

Similar words

Where it appears

1 Corinthians · 2

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:37 ἑδραῖος firm

    But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.

  2. 1 Corinthians 15:58 ἑδραῖοι steadfast

    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

    Here: From hedra, 'seat, base'. Paul wants them firmly settled on the gospel they received (15:1–2), not unsettled by the claim that there is no resurrection.

Colossians · 1

  1. Colossians 1:23 ἑδραῖοι firm

    if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

    Here: From hedra, 'seat, base'. It means sitting solidly in place, a structure that does not wobble on its foundation.

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