Biblical Lexicon

σκοπ-έω G4648

V-PMA-2P | 6× in 2 senses

To look at attentively or consider carefully; also to watch out for or be on guard against something or someone.

Skopeo is the verb behind our English word 'scope' — it means to fix one's gaze on something with intent, whether in admiration or in caution. Paul tells the Corinthians to keep looking at unseen eternal realities rather than visible temporal ones (2 Cor 4:18), and urges the Philippians to consider others' interests alongside their own (Phil 2:4). But the same verb also serves as a warning: 'Watch out for those who cause divisions' (Rom 16:17). The shift from contemplation to vigilance is natural — the common thread is focused, purposeful attention. Spanish captures both nuances with 'considerar/mirar' and 'vigilar.'

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Senses

1. look at, consider, pay attention to — To look at attentively, consider, or fix one's mind upon something with careful regard. In 2 Cor 4:18, Paul uses the participle skopounton for believers who set their gaze on unseen, eternal realities. Phil 2:4 urges each person to consider (skopountes) the interests of others, not merely their own. Gal 6:1 calls the spiritual to look to themselves (skopon seauton) lest they too be tempted. Multilingual evidence — Spanish 'considerando,' French 'observer,' German 'achten auf' — emphasizes attentive, reflective observation. 3×

BODY_HEALTH › Sensory Events and States › Seeing and Perceiving

AR["ناظِرينَ", "ناظِرًا"]·ben["দেখছে", "দেখতে", "দেখে"]·DE["achten-auf"]·EN["looking-at", "watching"]·FR["observer"]·heb["מִסְתַּכְּלִים", "מַשְׁגִּיחַ", "רוֹאִים,"]·HI["देखते-हुए", "धयअन-देते-हुए,"]·ID["memerhatikan", "memperhatikan", "menatap"]·IT["osservare", "skopountes", "skopōn"]·jav["migatosaken", "ningali"]·KO["돌아보는,", "돌아보라", "바라보는"]·PT["fitando", "olhando"]·RU["ища", "наблюдая", "смотрящих"]·ES["considerando", "mirando"]·SW["mkiyatazama", "tukitazama", "ukijiangalia"]·TR["bakan-", "düşünerek", "gozeterek"]·urd["دیکھتے-ہوئے"]

2 Cor 4:18, Gal 6:1, Phil 2:4

2. watch out for, be on guard — To watch out for, be on guard against, or keep a wary eye on someone or something that poses a threat. In Rom 16:17, Paul commands believers to watch out for (skopein) those who create divisions contrary to sound teaching. Phil 3:17 reverses the valence: 'observe (skopeite) those who walk according to the pattern we gave you' — here the vigilance is positive, urging imitation. Luke 11:35 warns to watch whether the light within is actually darkness. Spanish 'vigilar' and 'observad' capture the cautionary or hortatory tone that distinguishes this from mere contemplation. 3×

BODY_HEALTH › Sensory Events and States › Seeing and Perceiving

AR["أَنْ-تُلَاحِظُوا", "اُنْظُرْ", "لاحِظوا"]·ben["দেখ", "লক্ষ্য-কর", "লক্ষ্য-করতে"]·DE["achten-auf", "σκόπει"]·EN["look", "observe", "to-watch-out-for"]·FR["observer"]·heb["הִשְׁתַּמֵּר", "לִשְׁמֹר", "צְפוּ"]·HI["देख", "देखना", "देखो"]·ID["Perhatikanlah", "mengawasi", "perhatikanlah"]·IT["osservare", "skopei", "skopeite"]·jav["gatosaken", "kawula-waspadaa", "nggatosaken"]·KO["살피라", "주시하라"]·PT["observai", "vigiar"]·RU["наблюдать-за-", "смотри", "смотрите"]·ES["a-vigilar", "mira", "observad"]·SW["angalia", "kuwaangalia", "waangalieni"]·TR["dikkat-edin", "dikkat-et"]·urd["دیکھو", "نظر-رکھو", "پس-دیکھ"]

Luke 11:35, Rom 16:17, Phil 3:17

BDB / Lexicon Reference

σκοπ-έω, used by early writers only in present and imperfect active and middle (see. below 11), the other tenses being supplied by σκέπτομαι (which see):—but in later writers we find future σκοπήσω, Refs 2nd c.AD+: aorist ἐσκόπησα Refs 4th c.BC+middle, aorist ἐσκοπησάμην (περι-) Refs 2nd c.AD+perfect ἐσκόπημαι (προαν-) Refs 1st c.AD+:—behold, contemplate (rather of particulars than of universals,…