By the beginning of the Christian era, the word was firmly positive in its implications and its use in the Bible probably cemented its use in modern Greek culture.
The word appears three times in the text of letters written by the Apostle Paul.
Paul was a fluent Greek speaker and his writing shows he was well educated in Hellene literature.
Valid alternatives include; ambition, endeavour earnestly, aspire, being zealous, strive eagerly, desire very strongly, or study.
[5] In each case Paul is conveying a desire to do a good thing and his choice of word gives this honourable pursuit extra emphasis.