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G366 · Greek · New Testament
ἀνανήφω
Ananepho
Verb
To return to soberness, to come to one's senses

Definition

The Greek verb ananepho means "to return to soberness" or "to come to one's senses." It appears once in 2 Timothy 2:26, describing those trapped by the devil who need to "come to their senses."

Usage & Theological Significance

Paul uses ananepho in 2 Timothy 2:26 to describe the goal of gentle correction: that those ensnared in false teaching might "come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil." The imagery is of someone drugged or intoxicated by deception. Gentle instruction is the means God uses to awaken the ensnared. Spiritual deception is a stupor from which only grace-enabled sobriety can rescue.

Key Bible Verses

2 Timothy 2:26 And that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
1 Corinthians 15:34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning.
Luke 15:17 When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare?"
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion.
Ephesians 5:14 "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Related Words

External Resources

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