“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7)

What is the Definition of the word “overcometh”?

First, the literal translation for “He that overcometh” is “The (one) overcoming.” The Greek word for “overcometh” or “overcoming” is “nikaō.” It means “to carry off the victory, come off victorious.”

This word is used:

1. “Of God (Romans 3:4) (a law term), R.V., ‘mightest prevail’;
2. “Of Christ (John 16:33; Revelation 3:21; 5:5 (hath prevailed); 6:2; 17:14);
3. “Of His followers (Romans 12:21, 2^nd part; 1 John 2:13, 14; 4:4; 5:4, 5; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11; 15:2; 21:7).” “Of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and their temptations and persecutions.” “When one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one’s cause.”
4. “Of faith (1 John 5:4);
5. “Of evil (passive voice) (Romans 12:21);
6. “Of predicted human potentates (Revelation 6:2; 11:7; 13:7).”

It is also used to describe “one who by Christian constancy and courage keeps himself unharmed and spotless from his adversary’s devices, solicitations, assaults; the devil (1 John 2:13; Revelation 12:11); false teachers (1 John 4:4).”

Second, in defining the term “overcome” or “overcomer,” the true meaning is found only in Christ and in His Victory. Jesus said:

“… be of good cheer; I have (not if or maybe, but I have) overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus was looking to His Crucifixion and Resurrection. In His Crucifixion, He was the Sin Offering, the Burnt Offering; making Atonement for our sins as our Sacrifice, Substitute, and Savior. (Note Isaiah 53:1-12; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24-25; 5:1-2; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 2:24; etc.)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As our Substitute, He reconciled us back to God; He redeemed us and justified us in His Atonement on the Cross. (He did this Judicially, even before we were born.)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:24)

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:25)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1)

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

“For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (Romans 6:10)

Here, in His Atoning Work, He defeated spiritual death and the devil.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14)

When Christ said on the Cross, before He died physically, “…It is finished…” (John 19:30) – What was finished? Even our redemption:

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained (past tense; He did it on the cross) eternal redemption for us.”  (Hebrews 9:12)

Therefore, Christ was the Victor. He defeated the devil and spiritual death in His Atonement. This Victory of Christ over sin and its curse is proven by His Resurrection:

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” (Romans 1:4)

“By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:2)

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” (1 Corinthians 15:3) (Read verses 12-22.)

“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) The Victory is in Christ.

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:25a)

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” (Revelation 5:5)

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.”  (1 John 5:4)

(The literal translation of 1 John 5:4b is “and this is the victory overcoming the world, our faith”; or “The Faith”; “the faith of us.” And our Faith is Christ (Galatians 2:20), for Christ is “The Faith.”)

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith”; or “through the Faith (or Christ).” Because, Paul continues, “and that not of yourselves (or literally, “and this not of yourselves”; you were not even born when Christ took your place on the cross and made Atonement for your sin debt; nor was it on any of your merits; no works of yours, but by Christ and Him alone) it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Therefore, Jonah 2:9 is correct, “…Salvation is of the LORD.”

In summary, Christ is “The Overcomer.” All Victory is lodged in Christ. He is God; He is Life; and He is Salvation. His Victory is proven in His Resurrection from the dead. Therefore, He declared in Matthew 28:18:

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Christ is the Definition of the word “overcomer”; for He overcame all enemies, proven in His Resurrection.