Greek word · G2793

κινδυνεύω

kindyneuō

be in danger

To be in danger, to be at risk; in classical and Koine Greek also "to run a risk" or "take a chance". With an infinitive it can mean "there is a danger that…" (Acts 19:27, 40). It comes from kindynos, "danger, peril".

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κινδυνεύω

(κίνδυνος), [in LXX for יָקֹשׁ ni., etc. ;]

1. to be daring, to venture.

2. to be in danger: Luke 8:23, Acts 19:27, 40, 1 Corinthians 15:30.†

(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 15:30

Range of meaning

To be in danger, to be at risk; in classical and Koine Greek also "to run a risk" or "take a chance". With an infinitive it can mean "there is a danger that…" (Acts 19:27, 40). It comes from kindynos, "danger, peril".

Against the English

KJV/WEB "stand in jeopardy" and YLT "stand in peril" bring out the state of being exposed. BSB and NIV "endanger ourselves" make the voluntary side explicit by turning it into a reflexive action. The Greek verb is not reflexive, but the argument does imply choice. ESV and NASB "are in danger" keep closest to the grammar.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only in Luke 8:23 (the disciples' boat filling with water: "they were in danger"), Acts 19:27 and 19:40 (both at Ephesus: the risk that the trade will be discredited and the risk of being charged with rioting), and here. The related noun kindynos runs eight times through Paul's hardship list in 2 Cor 11:26 ("in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers…"). In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) and Hellenistic writers it is common for physical danger to life, for example on sea voyages and in war.

Similar words

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 8:23 ἐκινδύνευον. were in danger.

    As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 19:27 κινδυνεύει is endangered

    There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world.”

  2. Acts 19:40 κινδυνεύομεν we are in danger of

    For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:30 κινδυνεύομεν are in danger

    And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?

    Here: "We are in danger" or "we run risks". The present tense describes a continuing state, not one incident. The verb itself means being exposed to danger, but the question "why?" implies the exposure is chosen: Paul could stop at any time.

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