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πιστός

pistós

G4103 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Trustworthy, reliable; describing a person or thing as worthy of trust or confidence. Also, faithful, dependable, loyal when referring to relationships (such as between people or between humans and the divine). In certain contexts, describes someone having faith or trust (believing, trusting). The core meaning involves being reliable or steadfast in obligations, duties, or personal attachment. Secondary senses, depending on context, include one who believes, a believer, or one who is characterized by faith.

Semantic Range

trustworthy, reliable, faithful, dependable, loyal, trusted person, believing, believer, deserving of confidence, sure, true

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root of πείθω (peithō, 'to persuade, to trust'). πιστός is the verbal adjective form, originally denoting someone or something that inspires trust or has been trusted.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πιστός is used for that which is trustworthy, faithful, reliable, often in the sense of agreements, pacts, or persons who are dependable. In the Septuagint (LXX), it translates Hebrew terms such as 'aman (אָמַן), conveying both the idea of reliability and faithfulness, especially in reference to God or trustworthy people. In the New Testament, πιστός retains these meanings, applied to God, people, and things (e.g., the word, testimony). It can describe: (1) trustworthy in executing responsibilities (Matthew 24:45); (2) loyal in relationships (1 Corinthians 4:2); (3) deserving of confidence, reliable (1 Corinthians 1:9); or (4) as a substantive, one who is believing, that is, a believer or adherent (Acts 16:1). English translations often render πιστός as ‘faithful,’ ‘reliable,’ or ‘believing,’ but context is crucial: 'faithful' implies dependability, 'believer' implies religious commitment—these should not be automatically conflated. Distinct from πίστις (pistis, 'faith, trust'), which refers to the concept or act of trusting. The meaning may shift slightly depending on whether the focus is on a person's character, quality of a statement, or relational loyalty. The semantic overlap with Latin ‘fidelis’ and Hebrew ‘ne’eman’ (נֶאֱמָן) is notable, but faithful rendering in translation should avoid overly theological or modern conceptions of 'faith.'

Translation Consistency

primary "trustworthy" 56 occurrences

Pistós most commonly conveys being worthy of trust or reliable; SILEX counts show the majority of renderings use “trustworthy.” “Trustworthy” is a natural, clear English adjective that covers the primary sense (reliable/steadfast) while also fitting relational loyalty contexts better than a believer-specific term. Using “trustworthy” gives consistent, natural renderings across the full semantic range.

Alternatives (10 occurrences):
"believers" (3x) "faithful" (3x) "faithful one" (2x) "believing" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πείθω; objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful:--believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true.

Root Family

πιστός (pistos) — trustworthy, reliable, faithful, worthy of confidence

Root πειθ- to trust, to persuade, faithful, reliable, worthy of confidence

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4103-10 πιστὸς pistos ADJ.A NOM M SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy 33
G4103-07 πιστοὶ pistoi ADJ.P NOM M PL faithful trustworthy ones trustworthy ones 7
G4103-09 πιστὸν piston ADJ.A NOM N SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy 7
G4103-06 πιστῷ pisto ADJ.S DAT M SG faithful to the trustworthy one to the trustworthy one 4
G4103-08 πιστοῖς pistois ADJ.S DAT M PL faithful to the trustworthy ones to the trustworthy ones 4
G4103-03 πιστέ piste ADJ.A VOC M SG faithful faithful woman faithful one 3
G4103-01 πιστά pista ADJ.S ACC N PL faithful trustworthy things faithful 2
G4103-11 πιστοῦ pistou ADJ.A GEN M SG faithful of a trustworthy one of a trustworthy one 2
G4103-02 πιστὰς pistas ADJ.S ACC F PL faithful faithful women faithful 1
G4103-05 πιστῆς pistes ADJ.A GEN F SG believing of a trustworthy one believing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

66 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4103-10 Matthew 24:45 πιστὸς pistos ADJ.A NOM M SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy
G4103-03 Matthew 25:21 πιστέ piste ADJ.A VOC M SG faithful faithful woman faithful one
G4103-10 Matthew 25:21 πιστός pistos ADJ.P NOM M SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy
G4103-03 Matthew 25:23 πιστέ piste ADJ.A VOC M SG faithful faithful woman faithful one
G4103-10 Matthew 25:23 πιστός pistos ADJ.P NOM M SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy
G4103-10 Luke 12:42 πιστὸς pistos ADJ.A NOM M SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy
G4103-10 Luke 16:10 πιστὸς pistos ADJ.P NOM M SG is faithful trustworthy trustworthy
G4103-10 Luke 16:10 πιστός pistos-2 ADJ.P NOM M SG faithful trustworthy trustworthy
G4103-07 Luke 16:11 πιστοὶ pistoi ADJ.P NOM M PL faithful trustworthy ones trustworthy ones
G4103-07 Luke 16:12 πιστοὶ pistoi ADJ.P NOM M PL faithful trustworthy ones trustworthy ones
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