Do any of you qualify as Greek scholars? I do not, and need help.

I’m interested in a word study on various forms of “overcome” (nikao) as used in the following verses, which are from the Young’s Literal Translation. (I also find it significant that this same root word is in Rev 5:5 but translated “prevailed” instead of “did overcome”).

John 16:33; Revelation 3:21; 5:5 all say that Jesus “DID overcome;” but in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 1 John 5:5 Christ promises blessings to the one who progressively “IS overcoming.” This IS the ongoing process of SANCTIFICATION.

HOWEVER, John also includes JUSTIFICATION when he says in Revelation 12:11, people “DID overcome” by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; and in 1 John 5:4 he said, This is the victory that “DID overcome” the world -- our faith.

Please note that they all have the same Strong’s number and Greek root form (3528 nikao). I will include the specific Greek words with the YLT text, which used the same original manuscripts as used for the KJV.

quote:

---

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but take courage -- I have overcome (nenikhka) the world.

1 John 5:4
because every one who is begotten of God doth overcome (nika) the world, and this is the victory that did overcome (nikhsasa) the world -- our faith;
1 John 5:5
Who is he who is overcoming (nikwn) the world, if not he who is believing that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 2 YLT
7 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: To him who is overcoming (nikwnti)-- I will give to him to eat of the tree of life that is in the midst of the paradise of God.
11 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: He who is overcoming (nikwn) may not be injured of the second death.
17 He who is having an ear -- let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: To him who is overcoming (nikwnti), I will give to him to eat from the hidden manna, and will give to him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, that no one knew except him who is receiving [it].
26 and he who is overcoming (nikwn), and who is keeping unto the end my works, I will give to him authority over the nations,
Revelation 3
5 He who is overcoming (nikwn) -- this one -- shall be arrayed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the scroll of the life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before His messengers.
12 He who is overcoming (nikwn) -- I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and without he may not go any more, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that doth come down out of the heaven from my God -- also my new name.
21 He who is overcoming (nikwn) -- I will give to him to sit with me in my throne, as I also did overcome (enikhsa) and did sit down with my Father in His throne.

Revelation 5:5
and one of the elders saith to me, `Weep not; lo, overcome did (enikhsen) the Lion, who is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, to open the scroll, and to loose the seven seals of it;

Revelation 12:11
and they did overcome (enikhsan) him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life -- unto death;

---

So, do these verses say Christ "DID overcome" and (by Him) each of us "IS overcoming"?

[ May 24, 2003, 12:01 PM: Message edited by: StanMcCluskey ]

Hello Stan

I think it would depend on which text you are asking the question about, as some clearly refer to either us, or to Jesus; and also, some are clearly referring to a future time.

For eg., Rev.12:11. "They overcame [the devil, by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony." What was this "testimony about, and when does this verse refer to?

David, I'm particularly interested in knowing whether or not the form of NIKAO (overcome) in Revelation 2 & 3 is a progressive-active form, translated in the YLT as "To him who IS OVERCOMING," or is it more like the when-and-if KJV, "to him that overcomes."

As always the context usually requires us to use the correct verb tense. When it compares how Jesus overcame and how we must overcome in order to sit with Him on His throne there can be no doubt as to the verb tense. It's obviously talking about complete victory, living without sinning. That is, they have ceased from sinning and are presently living without sinning.

Revelation
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

To grant a place with Christ on His throne under lesser conditions is to jeopardize the throne itself. Besides not sinning is not the ultimate goal of salvation. Imitating the righteous, sinless example of Jesus is! The primary goal of salvation is to empower Christians to mature in the fruits of the Spirit.

Please just state that correct VERB TENSE fot "NIKAO" in the several Revelation 2 & 3 references.

Revelation
2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh [3529] will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh [3529] shall not be hurt of the second death.

2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh [3529] will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].

2:26 And he that overcometh [3529], and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

3:5 He that overcometh [3529], the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

3:12 Him that overcometh [3529] will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

3:21 To him that overcometh [3529] will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame [3529], and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Original Word: nikaw
Word Origin: from Strong's 3529
Transliterated Word: Nikao
Parts of Speech: Verb

Definition:
1. to conquer
(a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious
(1) of Christ, victorious over all His foes
(2) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions
(3) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one's cause

Translated Words: (KJV) conquer (2); get the victory (1); overcome (24); prevail (1)

Revelation
5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed [3529] to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering [3529], and to conquer [3529].

12:11 And they overcame [3529] him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory [3529] over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

21:7 He that overcometh [3529] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

1 John
5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh [3529] the world: and this is the victory that overcometh [3529] the world, [even] our faith.

According to the word study above it is apparent that the Bible uses the concept of overcoming in the context of not sinning and possessing the fruits of the Spirit. It is also clear this state of perfection has been available since the fall of Adam. In other words, victory over sin, self and Satan is not reserved for the final generation of saints.

What is the verb tense? Presently free from sin. Whereas the reward is future tense.

Mike,

I'm sure most of us have access to Strong's, which gives the same root word for each - nikao.

I requested information from someone who knows GREEK.

Okay.