05/01/2026
…1 Thessalonians 5:15
The eleventh-“but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” There are three philosophies of life or three standards of conduct. The pagan world operates on a philosophy which does evil in spite of good. In other words, you get the other fellow before he gets you. Use any kind of method. He may have treated you well, but if you can get the advantage over him, do that. That is pagan and heathen philosophy.
Then there is the standard of the so-called refined, cultured, and educated world. That is do good to those who do good to you. The political parties in our country operate on that principle. If one person helps a man to get into political office, the politician reciprocates by offering the man a job or office. You take care of your own. That is the philosophy of the so-called civilized world. Jesus said, “And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same? (Luke 6:33).
The Christian is to live under a different standard. We are to do good to those who do evil to us. That is contrary to the natural man. The minute someone hits us, we just naturally want to hit him back. This is the philosophy that Paul is talking about-“See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good”-even to those who do evil to you. -J Vernon McGee
διώκω
Transliteration
diōkō (Key)
Pronunciation
dee-o'-ko
Part of Speech
verb
KJV Translation Count — Total: 44x
The KJV translates this Greek Word in the following manner: persecute (28x), follow after (6x), follow (4x), suffer persecution (3x), miscellaneous (3x).
Outline of Biblical Usage
to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
to pursue (in a hostile manner)
in any way whatever to harass, trouble, mo**st one
to persecute
to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone
metaph., to pursue
to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire
Strong’s Definitions
a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb (to flee); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:—ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
imperfect; future
Matthew 23:34
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Luke 21:12
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
2 Samuel 22:38
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
1. to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away:
Matthew 10:23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
2. to run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, to run after; absolutely to press on: figuratively, of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal,
Philippians 3:12
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
where distinguished from
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
to pursue (in a hostile manner):,
Acts 26:11
And I punished them oft in every synagogue,and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Revelation 12:13
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Hence,
3. in any way whatever to harass, trouble, mo**st one; to persecute,
