Brief Overview of διάκρισις (G1253: diákrisis)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διάκρισις (diákrisis) [dee-AH-kree-sis]
• Etymology: From the root words διά (G1223: diá) meaning through, by means of and κρίνω (G2919: krínō) meaning to judge, to decide.

Word Breakdown:

• Person: N/A (Noun)
• Number: Singular
• Tense: N/A (Noun)
• Voice: N/A (Noun)
• Mood: N/A (Noun)

Disclaimer: The above morphological breakdown reflects the word διάκρισις as a noun, meaning it does not carry person, tense, voice, or mood, which are attributes of verbs. However, its form can vary in number (singular or plural) based on its usage in sentences.

Primary Meanings

• The act of distinguishing, discerning, or making a distinction.
• The ability to discern or judge between different things or ideas.
• A decision or judgment made after careful consideration.
• The spiritual gift of discerning spirits, particularly in the New Testament context.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• διάκρισις refers to the act of distinguishing or discerning between things, often with a focus on spiritual or moral discernment. In the New Testament, it is associated with the ability to distinguish between spirits, as a gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• διάκρισις is described as the act of discerning or making a distinction, particularly in spiritual contexts. It refers to the faculty of recognizing differences or making judgments, especially in spiritual or moral matters.
• Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14

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Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• διάκρισις emphasizes the ability to discern or distinguish, especially in a spiritual sense. It is often associated with the gift of discernment, enabling one to judge correctly between different spiritual influences or teachings.
• Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• διάκρισις is used in both secular and religious contexts to denote judgment, decision, or discernment. It can refer to the process of making distinctions or the result of such a process, i.e., a judgment or decision.
• Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• διάκρισις stems from διά (G1223: diá) and κρίνω (G2919: krínō), with meanings such as discrimination, discernment, or decision-making. It is particularly noted as a spiritual gift in the New Testament, enabling the discernment of spirits.
• Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Plato, Republic: Plato uses διάκρισις in the context of philosophical discourse, where it is necessary to discern between true knowledge and false beliefs, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and discernment.
• Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle discusses διάκρισις in terms of ethical decision-making, where the ability to discern between virtuous and non-virtuous actions is crucial to moral behavior.
• Philo of Alexandria, On the Creation: Philo uses διάκρισις to describe the discernment necessary in understanding the distinctions between good and evil, especially within the context of religious or spiritual life.

Summary

διάκρισις (G1253: diákrisis) is a Greek noun that carries the fundamental meaning of discernment, judgment, or the ability to distinguish between different things or ideas. Derived from διά (through, by means of) and κρίνω (to judge, to decide), διάκρισις is used both in secular contexts, such as philosophical and ethical discussions, and in religious contexts, particularly within the New Testament. In the Christian context, διάκρισις often refers to the spiritual gift of discerning spirits, allowing believers to differentiate between true and false teachings or influences. The word underscores the importance of careful judgment and the ability to make informed decisions, whether in philosophical, ethical, or spiritual matters. Its usage in classical Greek literature reflects its broad applicability in various aspects of Greek thought, emphasizing the significance of discernment in achieving wisdom and understanding.