Epakroaomai appears only once in the New Testament (Acts 16:25), describing the other prisoners listening to Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns at midnight in the Philippian jail. The word comes from epi (upon) + akroaomai (to listen) and suggests close, attentive listening — ears directed toward a sound. It is the posture of one who stops and intentionally tunes in.
The single occurrence of epakroaomai in the NT is extraordinarily rich in context. Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned, are singing praises to God at midnight. The other prisoners were listening — riveted by the sound of worship rising from chains. Then the earthquake came and the jailer was saved. The theological message: authentic worship in suffering bears witness. Those in darkness hear the songs of the freed before they see the open doors. Epakroaomai — when the world stops to listen to the worship of suffering saints — is often the prelude to revival.