(Nikao)

 

Greek Pronunciation [nih KAH oh]

HCSB Translation: be victorious, conquer

Uses in the NT: 28

 

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you
is greater than he who is in the world”
(1 John 4:4)

 

Nikao means to be victorious or to conquer, and the related noun nike means victory, usually in a military sense but also in a judicial context (Rom. 3:4). Outside of John’s writings, nikao occurs only four times (Lk 11:22; Rm 3:4; 12:21). In John’s theology, Christ has already conquered the forces of evil (Jn. 16:33; Rev. 5:5). Even though these forces may gain temporary, provisional victories over the saints (Rev. 11:7; 13:7), it is Christ who has won the definitive victory over evil, and those whom He has enlisted in the fight will conquer with Him (3:21; 15:2; 17:14). Each of the messages to the Asia Minor churches ends with a promise to the victor (2:7, 11, 17, 26-27; 3:5, 12, 21), to those who overcome evil not through human effort but through solidarity with Christ (Jn. 5:4-5; 1 Jn. 4:4; 5:5; Rev. 12:11). These victors will inherit the new heaven and new earth (21:7).

 


Word Studies courtesy of the Holman Christian Standard Study Bible. Used with permissions from B&H Publishing Group, A Division of LifeWay Christian Resources.