What Does Acts 19:20 Mean in the King James?
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
God’s word grows by becoming a force that holds its ground.
THE MEANING
God’s word grows in reach and becomes effective where it enters. Its message carries force, taking hold in the lives it touches.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that God’s word is effective only when it meets no resistance; here, its strength grows and prevails.
THE ROOT
αὐξάνω
auxanō
GROWS FROM
αὐξ-
aux-
to grow, increase
“grew” in this verse is auxanō. This verb describes continuing increase. A related form can mean “grow together,” so the word’s growth can unfold as life around it grows.
ALSO GROWS
auxēsis: growth, increase
αὔξησις
It names growth as an unfolding process, illuminating the word’s expanding reach.
synauxanō: grow together
συναυξάνω
The shared seed connects the word’s increase with growth that unfolds alongside other life.
ἰσχύω
ischyō
GROWS FROM
ἰσχυ-
ischy-
to have strength or power
Behind “prevailed” is the sense of having strength or power. The word’s growth carries active force, and a related noun names that strength directly.
ALSO GROWS
ischys: strength, might
ἰσχύς
This noun names the capacity expressed by the verb: the word grows into strength.
ischyros: strong, mighty
ἰσχυρός
This adjective shows the same family describing something that possesses great force.
κατὰ κράτος
kata kratos
GROWS FROM
κρατ-
krat-
strength, power, force
The phrase behind “mightily” names strength or power. A related verb can mean to hold fast, bringing a sense of force that takes hold and acts.
ALSO GROWS
krateō: hold fast, grasp
κρατέω
It links power with the ability to take hold, sharpening the picture of the word’s effect.
krataioō: strengthen, make strong
κραταιόω
This branch makes the family’s connection between strength and growing stronger explicit.
THE PATTERN
God’s word gains reach as its growth becomes strength and bears fruit.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.THE THREAD
But the word of God grew and multiplied.The same Greek growth verb appears with the word of God as its subject. “Multiplied” reveals the increase compounding: the word’s reach grows beyond a single point of impact.
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