Quick Definition
I persecute, expel by persecuting
Strong's Definition
to pursue out, i.e. expel or persecute implacably
Derivation: from G1537 (ἐκ) and G1377 (διώκω);
KJV Usage: persecute
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐκδιώκω: future ἐκδιώξω; 1 aorist ἐξεδιωξα;
1. to drive out, banish: τινα, Luk_11:49 (here WH Tr marginal reading διώξουσιν; some refer this to 2); (Thucydides 1, 24; Lucian, Tim. 10; the Sept. 1Ch_8:13; Joe_2:20, etc.).
2. to pursue equivalent to to persecute, oppress with calamities: τινα, 1Th_2:15 (some refer this to 1); (Psalm 118:157 (); Sir_30:19; Demosthenes, 883, 27).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐκδιώκω ekdiōkō 1x
pr. to chase away, drive out; in NT to persecute, vex, harass, 1Th_2:15
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἐκ -διώκω ,
[in LXX for H1272 hi ., H6789 , H1920 , etc.;]
to chase away, drive out: 1Th_2:15 ( cf. Deu_6:19 , Joe_2:20 ).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐκδιώκω [page 193]
This NT ἅπ . εἰρ . ( 1Th_2:15 ) is found in the late BGU III. 836 .5 (time of Justinian) καταστασιασάντων κατὰ τῶν ἀπελθότων ( l. όντων ) ἐκεῖσε στρατιωτῶν ἐξεδίωξ [αν αὐτ ]οὺς μὴ βουλόμενοι αὐτῶν ἀπόκρισιν ποιῆσαι . The simplex occurs in the sense of drive out, persecute, in Luk_11:49 ΰ BC, where the compound is found as a v.l. in AD al.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐκδιώκω fut. -διώξομαι "to chase away, banish", Thuc.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐκ-διώκω
[in LXX for בָּרַח hi., צָמַת, הָדַף, etc. ;]
to chase away, drive out: 1Th.2:15 (cf. Deu.6:19, Jol.2:20).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Drive out (1559) ekdioko
Drove out (1559)(ekdioko from ek = out + dioko = to pursue, persecute) means to chase out or drive out from a place. To banish. To persecute harshly. It means to persecute severely or harass. It means to use tactics that cause the departure of someone from a place.
Paul declares that the Jews pursued Christians out of Judea, painting the picture of them driving or banishing Christians systematically out of their their province.
Ekdioko occurs 16 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Deut 6:19; 1 Chr. 8:13; 12:15; Ps. 37:28; 44:16; 69:4; 101:5; 119:157; Jer. 49:19; 50:44; Da 4:25, 32f; 5:21; Joel 2:20)
There is only one other NT use...
For this reason also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute..." (Luke 11:49)
Paul is referring at least in part to the events in Acts 17...
But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and coming upon the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." 8 And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. 10 And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:5-10)
This action by the Jews brings to mind Paul's later instruction to...
See that no one repays another with evil for evil but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men (see note 1Thessalonians 5:15)
THEY ARE NOT PLEASING TO GOD, BUT HOSTILE TO ALL MEN: kai theo me areskonton, (PAPMPG) kai pasin anthropois enantion: (Acts 12:3; 1Corinthians 10:5) (Esther 3:8; Luke 11:52,53)
Not pleasing to God - The logical conclusion from what Paul has just stated about the actions of the unbelieving Jews.
Hiebert comments that...
To persist in a course of conduct that can only evoke divine displeasure is a serious thing indeed. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)