← G4005 G4007 →

πεποίθησις

pepoíthēsis

G4006 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State of being confident or assured due to reliance on someone or something; in most contexts, 'confidence' or 'trust' grounded in persuasion or conviction, especially in the reliability, character, or promises of another. It often carries the nuance of an inward sense of assurance or firmness that arises from persuasion or established trust, particularly in interpersonal or communal relationships.

Semantic Range

confidence, trust, assurance, reliance, firm conviction, state of being persuaded

Root / Etymology

From the perfect passive form of the verb πείθω ('to persuade, to convince'), indicating a state resulting from having been persuaded or convinced. The word denotes the settled result of prior persuasion or trust that has become established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πεποίθησις is attested in Classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek and typically denotes an assured state of trust that results from having been persuaded of the reliability or trustworthiness of someone or something. In classical sources (e.g., Thucydides, Demosthenes), it often refers to confidence in fellow citizens, leaders, or military success. In the Septuagint, usage reflects dependence or assurance in the divine or in political or military protection. In the New Testament and other early Christian literature, πεποίθησις frequently refers to confidence placed in humans (Philippians 3:4), communities (2 Corinthians 8:22), or spiritual realities (Philippians 1:25), and is almost always grounded in previous reasons for trust rather than blind faith. English translations often render it as 'confidence' or 'assurance,' but the term's sense of 'trust established by persuasion or relationship' may be lost. It is distinct from πίστις, which generally denotes faith or trust as a fundamental attitude, while πεποίθησις emphasizes the result of established conviction. The word does not specify the object of trust and can be used positively or negatively depending on context.

Translation Consistency

primary "confidence" 6 occurrences

Matches the SILEX sense (a state of inward assurance or reliance) and aligns with the majority of P2 renderings (5 of 6). 'Confidence' is natural English for the noun form, captures the nuance of persuasion/assurance, and ensures consistent, idiomatic translation across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the perfect of the alternate of πάσχω; reliance:--confidence, trust.

Root Family

πειθ- (eupeithḗs) — to persuade, to convince, to trust

Root πειθ- to persuade, to trust, to have confidence
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2138 εὐπειθής open to persuasion
G374 ἀναπείθω strongly persuades
G3981 πειθός to persuasive ones
G3982 πείθω they persuaded
G3988 πεισμονή stubborn persistence

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4006-01 πεποιθήσει pepoithesei N DAT F SG confidence in confidence in confidence 4
G4006-02 πεποίθησιν pepoithesin N ACC F SG confidence settled confidence settled confidence 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4006-01 2 Corinthians 1:15 πεποιθήσει pepoithesei N DAT F SG confidence in confidence in confidence
G4006-02 2 Corinthians 3:4 πεποίθησιν pepoithesin N ACC F SG confidence settled confidence settled confidence
G4006-01 2 Corinthians 8:22 πεποιθήσει pepoithesei N DAT F SG confidence in confidence in confidence
G4006-01 2 Corinthians 10:2 πεποιθήσει pepoithesei N DAT F SG confidence in confidence in confidence
G4006-01 Ephesians 3:12 πεποιθήσει pepoithesei N DAT F SG confidence in confidence in confidence
G4006-02 Philippians 3:4 πεποίθησιν pepoithesin N ACC F SG confidence settled confidence settled confidence
← G4005 Greek Lexicon G4007 →