Establish
Establish
“to fix, make fast, to set” (from sterix, “a prop”), is used of “establishing” or “stablishing” (i.e., the confirmation) of persons; the Apostle Peter was called by the Lord to “establish” his brethren, Luk 22:32, translated “strengthen;” Paul desired to visit Rome that the saints might be “established,” Rom 1:11; cp. Act 8:23; so with Timothy at Thessalonica, 1Th 3:2; the “confirmation” of the saints is the work of God, Rom 16:25, “to stablish (you);” 1Th 3:13, “stablish (your hearts);” 2Th 2:17, “stablish them (in every good work and word);” 1Pe 5:10, “statblish;” the means used to effect the “confirmation” is the ministry of the Word of God, 2Pe 1:12, “are established (in the truth which is with you);” James exhorts Christians to “stablish” their hearts, Jam 5:8; cp. Rev 3:2, RV.
The character of this “confirmation” may be learned from its use in Luk 9:51, “steadfastly set;” Luk 16:26, “fixed,” and in the Sept. in Exo 17:12, “stayed up” (also from its strengthened form episterizo, “to confirm,” in Act 14:22; Act 15:32, Act 15:41; in some mss. “to strengthen,” in Act 18:23; see CONFIRM). Neither the laying on of hands nor the impartation of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the NT in connection with either of these words, or with the synonymous verb bebaioo (see 1Co 1:8; 2Co 1:21, etc.). See FIX, SET, STRENGTHEN.
“to make firm, or solid” (akin to stereos, “hard, firm, solid;” cp. Eng., “stereotype”), is used only in Acts, (a) physically, Act 3:7, “received strength;” Act 3:16, “hath made strong;” (b) metaphorically, of establishment in the faith, Act 16:5, RV, “strengthened,” for AV, “established.”
“to cause to stand,” is translated “establish” in Rom 3:31; Rom 10:3; Heb 10:9. See ABIDE, APPOINT, STAND, etc.
“to confirm,” is rendered “stablish,” 2Co 1:21; “stablished,” Col 2:7; “be established,” Heb 13:9. See CONFIRM.
see ENACT.