Bible Dictionary
ENDEAVOR
To make a diligent effort or exert oneself earnestly. In the New Testament it commonly refers to giving careful attention to Christian duties and ministry.
Definition
Endeavor formerly conveyed the sense of making the utmost exertion, with the expectation of accomplishment. In later English it more often suggests an attempt that may fail.
Biblical Usage
In passages such as Ephesians 4:3 and 2 Peter 1:15, modern versions commonly render the word with “giving diligence.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:17 it retains the sense of exerting oneself, while Acts 16:10 uses the related idea of seeking.
Historical Background
The change in translation reflects a weakening of the word’s sense since the time of the King James Version.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>en-de'-ver:</p><p>The sense of this word has suffered weakening since the time of the King James Version. Then it implied utmost exertion and success; now rather forlorn hope and possible failure. Thus the Revised Version (British and American) reads "giving diligence," "give diligence," for the King James Version "endeavoring," "endeavor," in Eph 4:3; 2Pe 1:15, respectively; but "endeavored" is suffered to remain in 1Th 2:17 (spoudazo, "hasten," "exert oneself"). Compare also Ac 16:10, the King James Version "endeavored," the Revised Version (British and American) "sought" (Greek zeteo, "seek").</p>