Transliteration: diakatelénchomai (pronounced dee-ah-kat-el-ENG-kho-my)
Part of Speech: Verb

The Greek verb διακατελέγχομαι (diakatelénchomai) is a compound word formed from the preposition διά (dia), meaning “through” or “thoroughly,” the prefix κατά (kata), meaning “down” or “against,” and the verb ἐλέγχω (elénchō), which means “to convict,” “to refute,” or “to expose.” Thus, the term diakatelénchomai conveys the sense of thoroughly refuting, proving something wrong with overwhelming evidence, or exposing it beyond any doubt.

Scripture References

The word diakatelénchomai occurs in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Acts, where it highlights the thorough and decisive nature of refutation:

1. Acts 18:28 (ESV): “For he powerfully refuted (diakatelénchomai) the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

• This verse illustrates the powerful and thorough manner in which Apollos refuted the Jewish arguments, using the Scriptures to demonstrate conclusively that Jesus is the Christ.

Detailed Lexicon Description

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines diakatelénchomai as “to thoroughly refute or expose.” It emphasizes that the word carries a sense of comprehensive and conclusive refutation, leaving no room for further dispute. The lexicon notes that the use of this word in Acts 18:28 highlights Apollos’ ability to publicly demonstrate and prove his point beyond any reasonable doubt.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon provides a similar understanding, explaining that diakatelénchomai involves the process of convicting or refuting in a way that is thorough and leaves no doubt. Thayer’s notes that this verb was often used in contexts where a decisive argument or exposure was required, making it clear that what was being refuted was entirely false or unfounded.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary aligns with these interpretations, highlighting the emphatic nature of the term. It points out that diakatelénchomai is used in contexts where the speaker or writer wants to emphasize the thoroughness of the refutation or exposure, often in a public or formal setting.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

In classical Greek literature, diakatelénchomai was used in various contexts to indicate thorough refutation or exposure. For example:

1. Demosthenes, in his political orations, might have used a similar term to describe the act of completely disproving an opponent’s argument in the assembly.
2. Plato could have employed this verb in dialogues where a character systematically refutes the philosophical claims of another, leading to a conclusive argument.
3. Aristotle might have used a form of the verb in his logical works, where he discusses the refutation of an argument by providing irrefutable evidence or reasoning.

Summary

The verb diakatelénchomai (G1246) is a powerful Greek term used in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 18:28, to describe the act of thoroughly refuting or exposing falsehoods with undeniable evidence. Rooted in the concepts of “through” and “against,” the word carries the idea of a complete and decisive action that leaves no room for doubt. The term is particularly significant in the context of public or formal argumentation, where the goal is to convincingly demonstrate the truth and expose falsehood. In the case of Apollos, as described in Acts, the term captures his ability to powerfully and effectively use the Scriptures to prove that Jesus is the Christ, leaving his opponents with no grounds for further argument. This verb’s usage in both biblical and classical contexts underscores its importance as a tool for strong and conclusive argumentation.