False Facades: ψεύδομαι (Strong’s G5574: pseudomai) Exposes Truth’s Victory

Strong’s G5574: A deponent middle verb meaning to utter falsehood, deceive by lying, or speak untruth. Derived from ψεῦδος (pseudos), it denotes intentional deception through speech, particularly in contexts of bearing false witness or misrepresenting truth. Significant in biblical ethics and moral teachings.

U- Unveiling the Word

The verb ψεύδομαι (pseudomai) carries deep theological significance as it represents the antithesis of God’s nature of truth. As a deponent middle verb, it emphasizes the personal involvement of the subject in the act of lying. In New Testament usage, it particularly highlights the serious nature of speaking falsehood, especially in matters of faith and testimony. The early church understood this word as more than simple dishonesty – it represented active opposition to divine truth. This understanding remains crucial today as believers navigate a world where truth is often relative and deception sophisticated. The word serves as a stark reminder that falsehood is not merely incorrect information but a moral and spiritual issue.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ψεύδομαι, pseudomai, psyoo’-dom-ahee
• Pronunciation: PSYOO-dom-eye (where ‘PSYOO’ rhymes with “new”)
• Part of Speech: Deponent Middle Verb

Etymology:

• Root: ψευδ- (pseud-) – base meaning “false”
• -ομαι (-omai) – middle/passive verbal ending
• Deponent form indicating middle voice meaning with active translation

D – Defining Meanings

• To lie or speak deliberate falsehood
• To deceive through false speech
• To bear false witness
• To attempt to deceive by falsehood

For compound words: Not applicable as this is a simple root word with verbal ending

Translation Options:

• “to lie” – most direct and common translation
• “to deceive” – emphasizes the effect on others
• “to speak falsely” – highlights the verbal nature of the deception

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ψεῦδος (pseudos) – false thing, falsehood – See G5579
• ψευδής (pseudes) – false, lying – See G5571
• ψευδολόγος (pseudologos) – speaking falsely – See G5573

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, ψεύδομαι exhibits:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive (Deponent)
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Optative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Progressive (Present), Perfective (Aorist)

Example morphological changes:

• ψεύδομαι – I lie (Present)
• ψεύσομαι – I will lie (Future)
• ἐψευσάμην – I lied (Aorist)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexical tradition provides rich insight into ψεύδομαι. BDAG emphasizes its deliberate nature, distinguishing it from mere error or mistake. Thayer’s highlights its middle voice, indicating the subject’s personal involvement in the deception. LSJ traces its classical usage, showing its consistent meaning across Greek literature. Vine’s connects it to moral and ethical concerns in biblical context. Strong’s emphasizes its relationship to conscious falsehood. LEH provides Septuagint usage, showing continuity between Old and New Testament concepts of lying. Moulton and Milligan’s papyri evidence demonstrates its use in legal contexts, particularly regarding false testimony.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [ψευδόμενοι] on my account.” Matthew 5:11

Additional References:
Acts 5:3
Romans 9:1
2 Corinthians 11:31
Colossians 3:9
1 Timothy 2:7
Hebrews 6:18
James 3:14
Revelation 3:9

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The significance of ψεύδομαι extends beyond simple dishonesty – it represents opposition to the very nature of God, who cannot lie. This word appears in crucial contexts regarding faith, testimony, and Christian character. Its usage in the New Testament emphasizes that truth-telling is fundamental to discipleship. The good news of King Jesus stands in stark contrast to the deception that characterizes the fallen world. The Messiah, who is the Truth, liberates His people from the bondage of falsehood, enabling them to walk in truth and bear faithful witness to His kingdom.

D – Did You Know?

• The English prefix “pseudo-” derives from this Greek root
• ψεύδομαι appears in some of the most solemn New Testament warnings about false teaching
• The word is used in Hebrews 6:18 to emphasize God’s unchangeable truthfulness

Strong’s G5574: A deponent middle verb meaning to utter falsehood, deceive by lying, or speak untruth. Derived from ψεῦδος (pseudos), it denotes intentional deception through speech, particularly in contexts of bearing false witness or misrepresenting truth. Significant in biblical ethics and moral teachings.

Part of speech: Deponent Middle Verb

Tags: falsehood, deception, lies, truth, testimony, witness, speech, ethics, morality, honesty, Greek verbs, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, deponent verbs​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​