πείθω

I persuade, urge

Definition

The Greek verb πείθω (peithō) primarily means 'to persuade' or 'to convince' someone through argument or appeal, as when the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds concerning Jesus (Matthew 27:20). It also carries the sense of 'to urge' or 'to exhort.' In a more profound, passive or reflexive sense, it means 'to be convinced,' 'to trust,' or 'to have confidence in,' often referring to placing one's faith or trust in a person or truth, such as trusting in God (e.g., Matthew 27:43) or being convinced by the Scriptures (Luke 16:31). This range covers moving someone else to belief and arriving at a state of personal conviction.

Biblical Usage

Πείθω is used 55 times in the New Testament, appearing across Gospels, Acts, Pauline epistles, and Hebrews. It often describes interpersonal persuasion in narratives, like the authorities persuading the crowd (Matthew 27:20) or the people being persuaded by John the Baptist (Luke 20:6). In epistolary contexts, it frequently denotes personal trust and confidence, especially in God, Christ, or the gospel message (e.g., 2 Corinthians 1:9, Galatians 5:10, Philippians 1:6). A notable pattern is its use to contrast human persuasion with divine conviction or the persuasion of the Spirit.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰeydʰ-, meaning 'to trust, persuade, compel.' It is the root of the Greek noun πίστις (pistis, G4102), meaning 'faith' or 'belief,' showing the intrinsic link between persuasion and faith. The verb's meaning developed from a basic sense of 'to make someone trust' to encompass the full spectrum from external persuasion to internal conviction.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges human action and divine response in the realm of faith. It highlights that biblical faith (πίστις) is not blind but involves being rightly persuaded by evidence, argument, and ultimately by God Himself (Philippians 1:29). It underscores the role of preaching and testimony in persuasion (2 Corinthians 5:11) while affirming that final, saving conviction is a work of God. Understanding πείθω enriches reading by showing faith as a reasoned trust, contrasting mere human opinion with God-given assurance.

In the Greco-Roman world, persuasion (πειθώ) was a central concept in rhetoric and philosophy. The ability to persuade was highly valued in public life, courts, and philosophical schools. This cultural backdrop makes the New Testament's use significant: it redirects the ultimate object of persuasion from human wisdom or political power to God and the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). The word's use would resonate with an audience familiar with rhetorical battles, emphasizing the superior power of divine truth.

πιστεύω (pisteuō, G4100) — emphasizes the act of believing or entrusting oneself, often the result of being persuaded. ἀναπείθω (anapeithō, G374) — means to persuade or incite, often in a negative sense of misleading. ἔπεισα (epeisa) — an aorist form of πείθω, focusing on a completed act of persuasion.

Word Details

Scripture References