Greek word · G1756

ἐνεργής, ἐναργής

energēs, enargēs

effective

Active, at work, effective, producing results. It is related to ἐνέργεια, 'working, operative power' (BDAG s.v. ἐνεργής).

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

ἐνεργής, -ές

(late form of ἐνεργός, on WH. cf. AR, Eph., 241),

at work, active, effective: 1 Corinthians 16:9, Phm 6, Hebrews 4:12 (Cremer, 261).†

(AS)

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

Range of meaning: Active, at work, effective, producing results. It is related to ἐνέργεια, 'working, operative power' (BDAG s.v. ἐνεργής).
Against the English: KJV's 'effectual' is accurate but sounds archaic. BSB, NIV and ESV add a noun ('a door for effective work') to smooth over the odd idea of an 'effective door'. NASB adds 'service'. These additions are fair, but they hide Paul's compressed, mixed picture.
Used elsewhere in the period: Philemon 6 ('that the sharing of your faith may become effective'); Hebrews 4:12 ('the word of God is living and active'). In ordinary Greek of the period it describes things that are working or operative.

Range of meaning: Active, effective, at work, operative. It is related to energeia, "working, operation." It describes something that is producing effects, not merely capable of them. In 1 Cor 16:9 it is a door "effective" for work, and in Philemon 6 a sharing of faith that becomes "effective."
Against the English: BSB, ESV, NASB and WEB: "active." NIV: "active" (with "alive"). KJV and NLT: "powerful." "Powerful" puts the stress on raw strength. The Greek stresses effective operation: the word is doing things.
Used elsewhere in the period: Used in Hellenistic Greek for things in working order or in effect (e.g., mills, laws, remedies). In Codex Vaticanus the similar-looking enargēs ("clear, vivid") appears instead, which would make the word "evident" rather than "effective."

Range of meaning: Active, at work, effective, operative. Related to energeia, 'working, operation' (source of English 'energy').
Against the English: Most versions say 'effective' or 'effectual'. YLT 'working' keeps the sense of activity best. The Vulgate's 'evidens' ('evident') reflects a variant spelling.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the NT only here, 1 Cor 16:9 ('a wide and effective door') and Heb 4:12 ('the word of God is living and active'). In the papyri, documents describe a mill or a piece of land as energēs, 'in working order, productive' (Moulton & Milligan).

1 Corinthians · 1

1 Corinthians 16:9 ἐνεργὴς productive

because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

Here: An odd word for a door. It means 'at work' or 'getting results'. It signals that the opportunity is already bearing fruit, not just a possibility. Paul runs the picture (door) and the reality (productive work) together.

Philemon · 1

Philemon 1:6 ἐνεργὴς effective

I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.

Here: 'In working order', producing real effects. Paul wants Philemon's partnership to do something, not stay a warm feeling. The concrete deed he has in mind comes in verses 10–17.

Hebrews · 1

Hebrews 4:12 ἐνεργὴς active

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Here: Actively working and producing results, not sitting idle. It does what it says. The oath "they shall not enter my rest" really took effect.

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