ἐλέγχω (G1651) — Greek Lexicon

ἐλέγχω

elénchō

G1651 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To expose, bring to light, or demonstrate fault through argument or evidence; to reprove, correct, or show someone their error or wrongdoing. The term encompasses both the act of exposing error (often in a judicial or rhetorical setting) and the correction or moral rebuke that follows. In extended usage, can denote to convince or persuade one of their fault, to refute or confute an argument, or (in moral/religious contexts) to bring about recognition of guilt or wrongdoing.

Semantic Range

to expose wrongdoing, to prove someone in the wrong, to refute an argument, to bring to light faults, to correct or rebuke, to convict (legally or morally), to persuade or convince of error

Root / Etymology

Root is ἐλεγχ-, potentially related to the verb ἐλέγχω ('to expose, convict'), but the deeper etymology is uncertain and not securely linked to other Greek roots. Earliest forms appear in classical Greek literature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐλέγχω was used in judicial, rhetorical, and moral contexts for exposing wrongdoing or error, particularly by means of argument or proof. It could refer either to the act of refutation in debate, public exposure in a court, or moral correction. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the word kept the senses of conviction, exposure, and moral reproof, but gained a stronger ethical or spiritual nuance, often relating to God, the Spirit, or prophetic figures bringing wrongdoing to light. It sometimes stands for public reproof (as opposed to mere private admonition; cf. Titus 1:13, 1 Tim 5:20). English translations often use 'convict,' 'rebuke,' or 'reprove,' but none fully express the dynamic of exposing, convincing, and correction present in Greek usage. The legal or public context (making wrongdoing manifest to others) is prominent in many New Testament passages.

Translation Consistency

primary "convict" 8 occurrences

ἐλέγχω in the New Testament most often carries the sense of proving someone wrong or guilty—exposing fault and persuading of wrongdoing. “Convict” naturally covers the legal/moral sense of demonstrating guilt, as well as convincing or refuting an opponent’s position, and is a common, idiomatic rendering in English translations.

Alternatives (9 occurrences):

"exposed" (3x) "reproved" (2x) "exposes" (1x) "expose and reprove" (1x) "refute" (1x) "expose" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish:--convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

Root Family

ἐλεγχ- (élenxis) — to convict, to expose, to refute

Root ἐλεγχ- to expose, to convict, to reprove

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1649	ἔλεγξις	a convicting refutation
G1650	ἔλεγχος	convicting proof

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1651-01`	ἔλεγχε	elegche	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	rebuke	Expose and reprove!	Convict and reprove!	3
`G1651-09`	ἐλεγχόμενος	elegchomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	being reproved	being exposed	being reproved	2
`G1651-13`	ἔλεγξον	elegxon	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	reprove	Expose!	Convict!	2
`G1651-02`	ἐλέγχει	elegchei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	convicts	exposes	exposes	1
`G1651-03`	ἐλέγχειν	elegchein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to refute	to expose and convict	to refute	1
`G1651-04`	ἐλέγχεται	elegchetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is convicted	is being exposed	is being exposed	1
`G1651-05`	ἐλέγχετε	elegchete	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	expose	Expose and reprove	expose and reprove	1
`G1651-06`	ἐλέγχω	elegcho	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I reprove	I expose	I expose	1
`G1651-07`	ἐλεγχόμενα	elegchomena	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N PL`	being exposed	being exposed	being exposed	1
`G1651-08`	ἐλεγχόμενοι	elegchomenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	being convicted	those being exposed	being convicted	1
`G1651-10`	ἐλεγχθῇ	elegchthe	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG`	be exposed	may be exposed	may be exposed	1
`G1651-11`	ἐλέγξαι	elegxai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to convict	to expose	to convict	1
`G1651-12`	ἐλέγξει	elegxei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will convict	he/she/it will expose	he will convict	1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1651-13`	Matthew 18:15	ἔλεγξον	elegxon	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	tell	Expose!	Convict!
`G1651-09`	Luke 3:19	ἐλεγχόμενος	elegchomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	being reproved	being exposed	being reproved
`G1651-10`	John 3:20	ἐλεγχθῇ	elegchthe	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG`	be exposed	may be exposed	may be exposed
`G1651-02`	John 8:46	ἐλέγχει	elegchei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	convicts	exposes	exposes
`G1651-12`	John 16:8	ἐλέγξει	elegxei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will convict	he/she/it will expose	he will convict
`G1651-04`	1 Corinthians 14:24	ἐλέγχεται	elegchetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is convicted	is being exposed	is being exposed
`G1651-05`	Ephesians 5:11	ἐλέγχετε	elegchete	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	expose	Expose and reprove	expose and reprove
`G1651-07`	Ephesians 5:13	ἐλεγχόμενα	elegchomena	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM N PL`	being exposed	being exposed	being exposed
`G1651-01`	1 Timothy 5:20	ἔλεγχε	elegche	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	rebuke	Expose and reprove!	Convict and reprove!
`G1651-13`	2 Timothy 4:2	ἔλεγξον	elegxon	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	reprove	Expose!	Convict!
`G1651-03`	Titus 1:9	ἐλέγχειν	elegchein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to refute	to expose and convict	to refute
`G1651-01`	Titus 1:13	ἔλεγχε	elegche	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	rebuke	Expose and reprove!	Convict and reprove!
`G1651-01`	Titus 2:15	ἔλεγχε	elegche	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	reprove	Expose and reprove!	Convict and reprove!
`G1651-09`	Hebrews 12:5	ἐλεγχόμενος	elegchomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	being reproved	being exposed	being reproved
`G1651-08`	James 2:9	ἐλεγχόμενοι	elegchomenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	being convicted	those being exposed	being convicted
`G1651-11`	Jude 1:15	ἐλέγξαι	elegxai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to convict	to expose	to convict
`G1651-06`	Revelation 3:19	ἐλέγχω	elegcho	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I reprove	I expose	I expose

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