Overcome

The first place in the bible where we see the word overcome the Greek word nikao^[1] is in:

Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

The second appearance an first use of the Greek word is reference to overcoming the world appears in:

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome^[1] the world."

The word nikao' means "come off victorious" and might be considered the antitheses of the Nicolaitan who are the conquered people often because of their deeds. Peter makes mention of people becoming merchandise because of their covetous practices or deeds. There are many references and warnings about returning to the mire or becoming entangled again in the yoke of bondage or the elements of the world if we are not steadfast in our faith.

A number of modern Christian coreligionists construct elaborate doctrines using this same word which appears in the highly cryptic Book of Revelation.

The first reference in the Epistle of John to overcome is in:

1 John 2:13 where we see "I write unto you, fathers^[2], because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men^[3], because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children^[4], because ye have known the Father."

John speaks of overcoming the wicked one which is the word poneros^[5] in the Greek which we will see again in Revelation

The Epistle of John uses it only 5 times^[6] while Revelation it appears 15 times^[7]. It rarely is used in the rest of the Gospels.

It does appear twice in Paul's letter to the Romans

Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome^[1] when thou art judged.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome^[1] of evil, but overcome^[1] evil with good.

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Footnotes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 3528 ~νικάω~ nikao \@nik-ah’-o\@ from 3529 meaning victory; v AV-overcome 24, conquer 2, prevail 1, get the victory 1; 28
1) to conquer
1a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious
1a1) of Christ, victorious over all His foes

1a2) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations andpersecutions

1a3) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one’s cause
↑
3962 ~πατήρ~ pater \@pat-ayr’\@ apparently a root word but with clearly Latin origins; n m AV-Father 267, father 150, parent 1; 418 see also Patronus, Pater Patriae, Parens patriae, or Conscripted fathers of Rome.
1) generator or male ancestor
1a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal nature, natural fathers, both parents

1b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called, Jacob and David
1b1) fathers i.e. ancestors, forefathers, founders of a nation

1c) one advanced in years, a senior

2) metaph.
2a) the originator and transmitter of anything
2a1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself

2a2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds

2b) one who stands in a father’s place and looks after another in a paternal way

2c) a title of honour
2c1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received

2c2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled, to take charge of the interests of others

3) God is called the Father
3a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their creator, upholder, ruler

3b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and protector
3b1) of spiritual beings and of all men

3c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father

3d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, madeacquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also in his own divine nature
3d1) by Jesus Christ himself

3d2) by the apostles
- "The word Prater properly signifying a General or Captain from praire... those who were Commanders in chief being like wise Judges in civil Causes." The Great Historical, Geographical, Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary; Being a Curious Miscellany of Sacred and Prophane History ... Collected from the Best Historians, Chronologers and Lexicographers ... But More Especially Out of Lewis Morery, D.D. His Eighth Edition Corrected and Enlarged by Monsieur Le Clerc ... The First[-second] Volume, Volume 2
↑ 3495 ~νεανίσκος~ neaniskos \@neh-an-is’-kos\@ from the same as 3494; ; n m AV-young man 10; 10
1) a young man, youth
1a) used of a young attendant or servant
↑ 5040 ~τεκνίον~ teknion \@tek-nee’-on\@ diminutive of 5043; n n AV-little children 9; 9
1) a little child

2) in the NT used as a term of kindly address by teachers to their disciples
↑ 4190 ~πονηρός~ poneros \@pon-ay-ros’\@ from a derivative of 4192; adj AV-evil 51, wicked 10, wicked one 6, evil things 2, misc 7; 76
1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships
1a) pressed and harassed by labours

1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble

2) bad, of a bad nature or condition
2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind

2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad

For Synonyms see entry 5908
++++ The word is used in the nominative case in #Mt 6:13. This usually denotes a title in the Greek. Hence Christ is saying, deliver us from "The Evil," and is probably referring to Satan the adversary of The Way of God.
↑ 1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
↑ Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

[nikao-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 3528 ~νικάω~ nikao \@nik-ah’-o\@ from 3529 meaning victory; v AV-overcome 24, conquer 2, prevail 1, get the victory 1; 28
1) to conquer
1a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious
1a1) of Christ, victorious over all His foes

1a2) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations andpersecutions

1a3) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one’s cause

[2] 3962 ~πατήρ~ pater \@pat-ayr’\@ apparently a root word but with clearly Latin origins; n m AV-Father 267, father 150, parent 1; 418 see also Patronus, Pater Patriae, Parens patriae, or Conscripted fathers of Rome.
1) generator or male ancestor
1a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal nature, natural fathers, both parents

1b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called, Jacob and David
1b1) fathers i.e. ancestors, forefathers, founders of a nation

1c) one advanced in years, a senior

2) metaph.
2a) the originator and transmitter of anything
2a1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself

2a2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds

2b) one who stands in a father’s place and looks after another in a paternal way

2c) a title of honour
2c1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received

2c2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled, to take charge of the interests of others

3) God is called the Father
3a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their creator, upholder, ruler

3b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and protector
3b1) of spiritual beings and of all men

3c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father

3d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, madeacquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also in his own divine nature
3d1) by Jesus Christ himself

3d2) by the apostles

"The word Prater properly signifying a General or Captain from praire... those who were Commanders in chief being like wise Judges in civil Causes." The Great Historical, Geographical, Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary; Being a Curious Miscellany of Sacred and Prophane History ... Collected from the Best Historians, Chronologers and Lexicographers ... But More Especially Out of Lewis Morery, D.D. His Eighth Edition Corrected and Enlarged by Monsieur Le Clerc ... The First[-second] Volume, Volume 2

[3] "The word Prater properly signifying a General or Captain from praire... those who were Commanders in chief being like wise Judges in civil Causes." The Great Historical, Geographical, Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary; Being a Curious Miscellany of Sacred and Prophane History ... Collected from the Best Historians, Chronologers and Lexicographers ... But More Especially Out of Lewis Morery, D.D. His Eighth Edition Corrected and Enlarged by Monsieur Le Clerc ... The First[-second] Volume, Volume 2

[3] 3495 ~νεανίσκος~ neaniskos \@neh-an-is’-kos\@ from the same as 3494; ; n m AV-young man 10; 10
1) a young man, youth
1a) used of a young attendant or servant

[4] 5040 ~τεκνίον~ teknion \@tek-nee’-on\@ diminutive of 5043; n n AV-little children 9; 9
1) a little child

2) in the NT used as a term of kindly address by teachers to their disciples

[5] 4190 ~πονηρός~ poneros \@pon-ay-ros’\@ from a derivative of 4192; adj AV-evil 51, wicked 10, wicked one 6, evil things 2, misc 7; 76
1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships
1a) pressed and harassed by labours

1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble

2) bad, of a bad nature or condition
2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind

2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad

For Synonyms see entry 5908
++++ The word is used in the nominative case in #Mt 6:13. This usually denotes a title in the Greek. Hence Christ is saying, deliver us from "The Evil," and is probably referring to Satan the adversary of The Way of God.

[6] 1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

[7] Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

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Overcome

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