ἀληθεύω
alētheúō
G226 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be truthful; to speak or act in accordance with what is real or factual. The verb principally denotes embodying or practicing truth, whether in speech, conduct, or attitude. In certain contexts, especially in Hellenistic and New Testament usage, it also means to conduct oneself honestly or uprightly. Its primary sense encompasses both verbal truth-telling and living in accordance with truth or reality.
Semantic Range
to be truthful in speech, to tell the truth, to act in accordance with truth, to conduct oneself honestly, to live authentically; (rarely) to prove true
Root / Etymology
From the adjective ἀληθής ('true, real') with the verbal suffix -εύω forming a denominative verb, meaning 'to behave as, to act as.' Thus, ἀληθεύω literally means 'to act truly' or 'to speak truth.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀληθεύω is rare, with the more common expression for 'speaking truth' being ἀλήθειαν λέγειν. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the Septuagint, the verb retains this sense but is rare, occurring mainly in moral or rhetorical discourse. In the New Testament (notably Ephesians 4:15, 'speaking the truth in love'), it conveys not only the act of verbal truth-telling but also living authentically or walking in conformity with the truth. English translations typically render this as 'to speak the truth' or 'to be truthful,' but the concept may extend to honest conduct more broadly. Unlike synonyms such as ψεύδομαι ('to lie'), which focus on direct falsehood, ἀληθεύω positively asserts truthfulness and integrity in both speech and action. The verb is closely related in sense to ἀληθεύομαι ('to be true, to be genuine'), but ἀληθεύω emphasizes active engagement with or pursuit of the truth.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀληθής; to be true (in doctrine and profession):--speak (tell) the truth.
Root Family
ἀληθ- (alḗtheia) — to be true, to be unconcealed, to be genuine
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G225 | ἀλήθεια | in truth |
| G227 | ἀληθής | true things |
| G228 | ἀληθινός | genuine ones |
| G230 | ἀληθῶς | truly |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G226-01 |
ἀληθεύων | aletheuon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
by telling the truth | the one acting truthfully | by telling the truth | 1 |
G226-02 |
ἀληθεύοντες | aletheuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
speaking the truth | acting truthfully | acting truthfully | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G226-01 |
Galatians 4:16 | ἀληθεύων | aletheuon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
by telling the truth | the one acting truthfully | by telling the truth |
G226-02 |
Ephesians 4:15 | ἀληθεύοντες | aletheuontes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
speaking the truth | acting truthfully | acting truthfully |