ἐνισχύω

From the study of Luke 22:43

Range of meaning

To put strength into, make strong, invigorate. It is used of physical recovery, as when food restores the body, of military reinforcement, and of courage given to someone facing an ordeal. Intransitively it can mean 'regain strength'. The core idea is capacity to act or endure, not emotional comfort.

Against the English

'Strengthened' (BSB, NIV) and 'strengthening' (KJV, WEB, YLT) are accurate. The risk lies in the picture readers bring. Many imagine the angel came to comfort or soothe Jesus, or to ease his distress. The Greek says he was given strength. The next verse shows what the strength was for: he then prayed 'more earnestly', in agony.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT the word appears only here and in Acts 9:19, also written by Luke, where Saul eats and 'was strengthened' after his blindness, which is plainly physical. The closest Jewish parallel is Daniel 10:18–19 (Greek versions). After a vision leaves Daniel without strength, a heavenly figure touches him and 'strengthened me' (ἐνίσχυσέν με), and Daniel says, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.' Compare also 1 Kings 19:5–8, where an angel feeds the exhausted Elijah so he can travel forty days. In the Greek Old Testament the related verb is used for God or his agents empowering someone for a task (e.g. Deut 3:28, Moses to strengthen Joshua).

From the study of Acts 9:19

Range of meaning

Two related uses: (1) with an object, 'to strengthen' someone (Luke 22:43, where an angel strengthens Jesus); (2) without an object, 'to grow strong, regain strength, recover.' It is built on ἰσχύς, which means physical strength or force.

Against the English

BSB, NIV and NLT say 'regained his strength.' KJV, WEB, YLT and ESV say 'was strengthened.' The passive wording can sound as if someone or something else did the strengthening. The active Greek of the main text says simply that he got his strength back. The passive matches the variant reading ἐνισχύθη.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) often uses it for people regaining physical vigour or being made strong, for example Genesis 48:2, where Jacob 'strengthened himself' and sat up in bed. Medical writers of the period use the verb without an object for recovery after weakness (BDAG).