ἐνεργ-ής G1756
effective, active, powerful; producing actual results, operationally potent
The adjective ἐνεργής (from ἐν + ἔργον 'at work') describes something actively effective, operationally powerful, producing results. It's not merely potential but actual—energy in action. Biblical usage applies it to an open door for mission (1 Cor 16:9), faith becoming effective through knowledge (Philemon 6), and God's word as living and active (Heb 4:12). The term emphasizes functionality—something that works, that accomplishes its purpose.
Senses
1. sense 1 — First Corinthians 16:9 reports Paul's reason for staying in Ephesus: 'for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries'—opportunity that produces results despite opposition. Philemon 1:6 expresses Paul's prayer: 'that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing'—faith operational in understanding. Hebrews 4:12 declares: 'For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword'—Scripture energetically operative. The Spanish (eficaz) and French (effectif) and German (wirksam) all emphasize effectiveness/efficacy. The adjective stresses actual power at work—not dormant potential but engaged energy producing tangible results, whether in gospel advance, faith expression, or Scripture's penetrating work. 3×
AR["فعّالَةً", "فَعَّالٌ", "فَعَّالَةٌ"]·ben["কার্যকর", "ফলপ্রদ,"]·DE["wirksam"]·EN["effective"]·FR["effectif", "wirksam"]·heb["פֹּעֵל", "פּוֹעֵל", "פּוֹעֶלֶת"]·HI["कअरगर", "प्रभावशाली"]·ID["berdaya-guna", "berkuasa", "efektif,"]·IT["efficace", "energēs"]·jav["-kagem-damel", "efektif", "kuwasa"]·KO["열매-맺는-자가", "활동적이고", "효과적인"]·PT["eficaz"]·RU["действенная", "действенно", "действенным"]·ES["eficaz"]·SW["kuwa-amili", "linafanya-kazi", "wenye-matokeo"]·TR["etkili"]·urd["مؤثر"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐνεργ-ής, ές, later form of ἐνεργός, active, effective, μηχανὰς ἐνεργεῖς ποιοῦντες Refs 1st c.BC+; of medicines, strong, Refs 1st c.AD+ more effective, πρός τινα Refs 4th c.BC+: superlative -έστατος, πρός τι Refs 1st c.BC+