Strong's g1594

Pronunciation Guide: ek-NAY-fō (the ‘ph’ is pronounced like ‘f’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1594: ἐκνήφω (eknēphō) conveys the action of becoming sober after intoxication, particularly in a metaphorical sense of waking up from spiritual lethargy or deception. It implies a return to clarity of thought, vigilance, and righteous discernment after a period of spiritual stupor. The term carries the connotation of an urgent, decisive awakening to truth and reality.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Verb
• Root components: ἐκ (ek, “out of, from”) + νήφω (nēphō, “to be sober, vigilant”)
• Language origin: Greek
• Primary usage: Appears in exhortational and teaching contexts
• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Imperative

ἐκνήφω Morphology:

• ἐκνήψατε (aorist imperative active, 2nd person plural) – wake up/become sober-minded! (addressed to a group)
• ἐκνήψω (aorist subjunctive active, 1st person singular) – that I may become sober-minded
• ἐκνήψῃς (aorist subjunctive active, 2nd person singular) – that you may become sober-minded
• ἐκνήψωμεν (aorist subjunctive active, 1st person plural) – that we may become sober-minded

Origin & History

The term ἐκνήφω combines the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning “out of” or “from,” with the verb νήφω (nēphō), meaning “to be sober” or “to be vigilant.” This compound structure intensifies the base meaning, suggesting not merely sobriety but a definitive emergence from a state of intoxication or delusion into clear-minded awareness.

In classical Greek literature, the term appears rarely but consistently carries the meaning of recovering from intoxication. Plutarch uses related forms in his moral writings to describe the process of regaining rational faculties after being overcome by passion or excess. In the Septuagint, while the exact form ἐκνήφω does not appear, the root νήφω occurs in contexts urging vigilance and spiritual alertness, particularly in wisdom literature.

The early Church Fathers expanded on this concept, with Clement of Alexandria (in “Paedagogus”) and John Chrysostom (in his homilies on 1 Corinthians) employing the term to describe the necessary spiritual awakening from worldly deceptions and false doctrines. They emphasized that true Christian living requires this “sobering up” from the intoxicating effects of sin and error.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A decisive awakening from spiritual drunkenness or delusion
• Returning to clear spiritual perception after a period of moral or doctrinal confusion
• Regaining spiritual vigilance and discernment
• Emerging from a state of spiritual lethargy into active righteousness
• Recovering from the stupor of sin into the clarity of godly thinking

ἐκνήφω Translation Options:

• “Wake up from your drunken stupor” (ESV) – Emphasizes the urgent call to transition from spiritual intoxication to alertness
• “Become sober-minded” (NASB) – Focuses on the mental clarity aspect of the awakening
• “Come to your senses” (NIV) – Captures the restoration of proper perception and judgment
• “Awaken to righteousness” (NKJV) – Highlights the moral dimension of the awakening
• “Sober up” (NET) – Conveys the immediacy and necessity of the action

Biblical Usage

The term ἐκνήφω appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 15:34, where Paul exhorts believers to “wake up from your drunken stupor” (ESV) or “awaken to righteousness” (NKJV). This singular occurrence comes in the context of Paul’s discussion about the resurrection, where he is addressing those who deny this fundamental doctrine. The apostle views such error as a form of spiritual intoxication from which believers must awaken.

While ἐκνήφω itself appears only once, its root νήφω and related forms occur several times in the New Testament, particularly in the epistles, where they consistently convey the idea of spiritual vigilance and moral clarity. These occurrences form a conceptual framework that illuminates the full meaning of ἐκνήφω as a call to decisive spiritual awakening.

• “Awake to righteousness [ἐκνήψατε], and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:34
• “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober [νήφωμεν].” 1 Thessalonians 5:6
• “But you, be sober [νῆφε] in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
• “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober [νήφοντες] in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13
• “Be of sober spirit [νήψατε], be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, public drunkenness was a common feature of pagan religious festivals and social gatherings. The cult of Dionysus (Bacchus in Roman culture) explicitly celebrated intoxication as a means of achieving religious ecstasy and communion with the divine. Against this cultural backdrop, Paul’s call to “wake up from drunken stupor” (ἐκνήψατε) would have carried powerful counter-cultural implications, positioning the Christian community as one characterized by clear-minded sobriety rather than intoxicated religious frenzy.

Jewish tradition also emphasized sobriety and clear thinking, particularly for priests serving in the Temple. Leviticus 10:9 explicitly prohibits priests from drinking wine before entering the Tent of Meeting. The rabbinical tradition extended this principle to emphasize that approaching God requires mental clarity and spiritual alertness. The Hebrew concept of “da’at” (knowledge) in wisdom literature parallels the kind of awakened spiritual perception that Paul is urging with his use of ἐκνήφω, suggesting a connection between his Hebraic background and his choice of terminology in addressing the Corinthian believers.

Theological Significance

The apostle Paul’s strategic use of ἐκνήφω in 1 Corinthians 15:34 reveals a profound theological understanding of the relationship between doctrinal error and spiritual lethargy. By employing this term in the context of his defense of the resurrection, Paul implicitly teaches that denial of core doctrines is not merely an intellectual mistake but a form of spiritual intoxication from which believers must decisively awaken. This suggests that יהוה (Yahweh) desires His people to live in a state of continual spiritual alertness, with minds fully engaged and discerning.

The theological implications extend beyond individual spiritual vigilance to the corporate responsibility of the believing community. Paul addresses the Corinthian church as a whole, indicating that spiritual sobriety is not merely a personal virtue but a communal necessity. The Messiah’s ekklesia (assembly) is called to function as a community of clear-minded, spiritually alert disciples who can discern truth from error and righteousness from sin. This aligns with the biblical theme of God’s people being “a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6), requiring them to maintain spiritual clarity in a world darkened by deception.

Furthermore, the imperative nature of ἐκνήψατε in 1 Corinthians 15:34 underscores the convergence of divine enabling and human responsibility in the process of spiritual transformation. While God is ultimately the source of spiritual awakening, Paul’s command implies that believers must actively participate in this process, making intentional choices to “sober up” from the intoxicating influences of false teaching and worldly values.

Personal Application

To “awaken to righteousness” (ἐκνήψατε) in our contemporary context calls for deliberate attention to the influences that may be spiritually intoxicating us. Just as a person recovering from physical intoxication must first recognize their impaired state, we must honestly assess areas where our spiritual perception may be clouded by cultural assumptions, theological compromises, or moral complacency. This requires regular self-examination in light of Scripture and openness to the Holy Spirit’s convicting work.

Practically, embodying the principle of ἐκνήφω involves establishing disciplines that promote spiritual clarity and vigilance. These might include regular immersion in Scripture, intentional times of prayer and reflection, participation in a community of believers committed to truth, and periodic “fasts” from media or activities that may dull spiritual sensitivity. As we cultivate these practices, we position ourselves to experience the kind of decisive spiritual awakening that Paul urged upon the Corinthian believers, moving from confusion to clarity, from lethargy to alertness, and from compromise to conviction.

Related Words

• νήφω (nēphō, “to be sober, vigilant”) – The root verb from which ἐκνήφω is derived, emphasizing ongoing spiritual alertness rather than a one-time awakening. See G3525
• γρηγορέω (grēgoreō, “to be vigilant, watchful”) – Similar to ἐκνήφω but emphasizes the aspect of watchfulness rather than recovering from a previous state of intoxication. Pronounced “gray-gor-EH-oh.” See G1127
• ἐγείρω (egeirō, “to wake up, to raise”) – Used literally for waking from sleep and figuratively for spiritual awakening, but lacks the specific connotation of recovering from intoxication. Pronounced “eh-GEE-roh.” See G1453
• ἀνανήφω (ananēphō, “to return to soberness”) – A compound verb similar to ἐκνήφω, emphasizing the recovery aspect of spiritual awakening. Pronounced “an-ah-NAY-foh.” See G366
• σωφρονέω (sōphroneō, “to be of sound mind, to be temperate”) – Refers to habitual soundness of mind and self-control, complementing the awakening aspect of ἐκνήφω. Pronounced “so-fron-EH-oh.” See G4993

Did you Know?

• The concept behind ἐκνήφω was utilized in ancient Greek medical texts to describe the process of administering remedies to patients who had been poisoned or were suffering from the effects of intoxication. This medical usage adds depth to Paul’s metaphorical application, suggesting that false doctrine functions like a poison in the spiritual body that requires a decisive antidote.
• During the early Christian centuries, particularly in the desert monastic tradition, the practice of “nepsis” (from the root νήφω) became a central spiritual discipline. Desert fathers like Evagrius Ponticus developed elaborate teachings on maintaining spiritual sobriety through prayer, scriptural meditation, and resistance to logismoi (intrusive thoughts). This tradition continues in Eastern Orthodox spirituality, where “neptic theology” refers to the practice of inner vigilance and spiritual clarity.
• While ἐκνήφω appears only once in the New Testament, the concept it represents forms a significant theme throughout Scripture. From the prophets’ calls for Israel to “awake” from spiritual slumber (Isaiah 51:17, 52:1) to Yeshua’s (Jesus’) warnings about the dangers of spiritual unpreparedness (Matthew 25:1-13), the Bible consistently emphasizes the necessity of maintaining spiritual alertness in a world full of deception.

Remember This

ἐκνήφω (eknēphō) is not merely a call to momentary spiritual alertness but an urgent divine summons to decisively emerge from all forms of spiritual intoxication into the clear-minded sobriety that enables us to embrace truth, reject error, and live in the transformative reality of the Messiah’s resurrection power.