Brief Overview of παραλογίζομαι (Strong’s G3884: paralogizomai)

This Greek verb means “to deceive by false reasoning” or “to delude with subtle logic.” It appears twice in the New Testament, warning believers against deceptive arguments and false teachings.

U – Unveiling the Word

παραλογίζομαι combines παρά (beside/contrary to) with λογίζομαι (to reckon/reason), creating a term that describes deception through false reasoning or subtle argumentation. Its significance lies in warning against sophisticated philosophical or theological deception. Today, this word remains particularly relevant in an era of misinformation, logical fallacies, and sophisticated rhetorical manipulation.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παραλογίζομαι, paralogizomai, /par-a-lo-GID-zo-mai/
• Etymology: From παρά (para, “beside/contrary to”) + λογίζομαι (logizomai, “to reckon/reason”)
• Part of Speech: Verb (Deponent)

D – Defining Meanings

Primary meaning: To deceive through false reasoning or logic

Secondary meaning: To delude or cheat through sophisticated arguments

Extended meaning: To miscalculate or reason falsely

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀπατάω (apataō): Means “to deceive” but without the specific connotation of false reasoning
• πλανάω (planaō): Means “to lead astray” with emphasis on wandering from truth
• ψεύδομαι (pseudomai): Means “to lie” focusing on false statements rather than false reasoning

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a deponent verb, παραλογίζομαι has these features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive (deponent)
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural

Example morphological changes:

• Present: παραλογίζομαι (I deceive)
• Future: παραλογίσομαι (I will deceive)
• Aorist: παρελογισάμην (I deceived)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of intellectual deception. Thayer’s notes its connection to sophistical reasoning. LSJ provides examples from Greek philosophical texts. Vine’s highlights its use in warning against false teachers. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri examples showing its use in commercial fraud contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance: Colossians 2:4

“I say this in order that no one may delude [παραλογίζομαι] you with plausible arguments.”

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παραλογίζομαι represents sophisticated deception through false reasoning, particularly relevant in contexts of philosophical, theological, or rhetorical manipulation.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term was commonly used in ancient legal contexts describing fraudulent arguments
2. It appears in early Christian writings warning against Gnostic teachings
3. The word influenced medieval Latin terms for logical fallacies

Strong’s G3884: παραλογίζομαι – A deponent verb meaning to deceive through false reasoning or sophisticated arguments. Used in NT to warn against intellectual and theological deception. Derives from rhetorical and philosophical vocabulary, highlighting the danger of subtle manipulation through false logic.

Part of Speech: Verb (Deponent)

Tags: #Deception #FalseTeaching #LogicalFallacy #TheoreticalWarning #ColossianVocabulary #PhilosophicalTerm #RhetoricalDevice

Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​