Epilambanomai and Katalambano
- These two Greek verbs are cousins, closely related in meaning.
- Epi has to do with putting your hand upon something in order to grasp it.
- Kata has to do with pulling something down in order to grasp it.
But the results of doing either are the same.
- To lay hold of, grasp or pull down in order to seize something.
- To overtake and attain to something by pulling down or grasping it in order to take possession of, make it your own, and benefit from it.
It requires pro activity on your part.
It requires forceful action on your part.
The church severely lacks in the arts of Epilambanomai and Katalambano.
What about you?
What about me?
Here are instances of epilambanomai and katalambano
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold (epilambanomai) of eternal life, to which you were called and have confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
- Possess eternal life, right here and right now!
1Ti 6:19 storing up for yourselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold (epilambanomai) of eternal life.
- Possess eternal life, right here and right now!
Heb 2:16 For indeed He does not take hold (epilambanomai) of angels, but He does take hold (epilambanomai) of the seed of Abraham.
- God has taken a hold of you. Have you taken a hold of God?
Heb 8:9 not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took (epilambanomai) their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. Because they did not persevere in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD.
Ro 9:30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained (katalambano) to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;
- Righteousness is the manifestation of things the way they need to be. It means to make right. Are you focused to allow God to transform, change and adjust you, to make all things in your life line up with Him?
1Co 9:24 Do you not know that those running in a stadium all run, but one receives the prize? So run, in order that you may win (katalambano)
- The Christian life is one of constant pro activity. Only one athlete wines. God wants you to excel in glorifying Him. God wants you to the very best. God wants you to win? Do you want to win?
Eph 3:18 that you may be able to comprehend (katalambano) with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height—
- Are you grasping the full revelation of the love that God has for you?
Php 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or have already been made perfect; but I press on, if also I may lay hold (katalambano) of that for which I was laid hold (katalambano) of by Christ Jesus.
- Jesus has seized and grasped you with destiny and purpose. Have you seized Him back, as He has seized you?
Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold (katalambano); but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
- Are you grasping for and seizing the things of God for you?
1Th 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake (katalambano) you as a thief.
Jose and Mary Alvarez 