Understanding διαλογίζομαι (dialogizomai) Strong’s G1260: The Divine Gift of Reasoned Contemplation in Scripture

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-log-ID-zom-ahee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1260: διαλογίζομαι (dialogizomai) fundamentally means “to consider thoroughly, reason through, or deliberate in one’s mind.” It describes the internal process of working through thoughts, weighing options, or reasoning about something, often with deliberation and calculation. This word conveys the careful consideration of different viewpoints or possible explanations before reaching a conclusion.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + λογίζομαι (logizomai, “to reckon, count, consider”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages (especially in the Gospels), particularly in contexts where people are internally deliberating or reasoning among themselves
• Voice: Middle/Passive deponent (has middle/passive form but active meaning)
• Tense System: Present, Imperfect, Aorist

διαλογίζομαι Morphology:

• διαλογίζομαι (present, 1st person singular) – I reason/deliberate
• διαλογίζῃ (present, 2nd person singular) – you reason/deliberate
• διαλογίζεται (present, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it reasons/deliberates
• διαλογιζόμεθα (present, 1st person plural) – we reason/deliberate
• διαλογίζονται (present, 3rd person plural) – they reason/deliberate
• διελογιζόμην (imperfect, 1st person singular) – I was reasoning/deliberating
• διελογίζοντο (imperfect, 3rd person plural) – they were reasoning/deliberating
• διαλογισμός (noun form) – reasoning, thought, consideration

Origin & History

The verb διαλογίζομαι has its roots in classical Greek philosophical discourse, where it was used to describe the process of dialectical reasoning. In works by Plato, particularly in his “Dialogues,” similar forms appear when depicting Socratic method of questioning and reasoning through various propositions. The prefix διά (dia) intensifies the root verb λογίζομαι, emphasizing the thoroughness of the mental process – reasoning “through and through.”

In the Septuagint (LXX), διαλογίζομαι appears sparingly but notably in contexts of careful consideration. For example, in Psalm 77:6 (76:7 LXX), the psalmist uses it to describe deep reflection: “I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit.” The word carried connotations of serious internal dialogue even before its New Testament usage. Early Church Father Justin Martyr employed the term in his “Dialogue with Trypho” when describing the process of considering theological questions, reinforcing its connection to careful consideration of spiritual matters.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Internal Reasoning – To think through a matter thoroughly within oneself
• Group Deliberation – To discuss or debate within a small group, reasoning together about a matter
• Calculating or Computing – To reckon or calculate something, especially when weighing different factors
• Questioning – To question or dispute something, often with a sense of doubt or uncertainty
• Contemplation – To meditate deeply on something, examining it from different angles

διαλογίζομαι Translation Options:

• Reason within – Emphasizes the internal nature of the thought process, highlighting how the prefix διά suggests thoroughness
• Deliberate – Captures the careful, methodical consideration implied by the logical roots
• Discuss among themselves – Appropriate when the context indicates shared reasoning within a group
• Debate internally – Useful when the context suggests conflicting thoughts or questioning
• Calculate – Fitting when the context involves weighing options or computing possibilities

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διαλογίζομαι appears 16 times, primarily in the Gospels. Its first appearance in Matthew 16:7 occurs when the disciples are reasoning among themselves about Jesus’ warning regarding the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This instance exemplifies a common pattern where διαλογίζομαι describes the disciples’ internal group discussions, often revealing their misunderstandings or limited perspectives.

The Gospel of Luke features this word most frequently, often highlighting the contrast between human reasoning and divine revelation. When people διαλογίζομαι in the Gospels, they are typically working through matters using human logic that falls short of spiritual understanding. In Luke 5:21-22, Jesus perceives the scribes and Pharisees reasoning in their hearts about His authority to forgive sins, demonstrating how human reasoning often resists divine truth. This pattern reveals an important theological theme: human reasoning, though valuable, must ultimately submit to divine revelation.

• “And they reasoned (διαλογίζομαι) among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.'” Matthew 16:7
• “But they reasoned (διαλογίζομαι) among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” He will say, “Why did you not believe him?”‘” Mark 11:31
• “The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason (διαλογίζομαι), saying, ‘Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'” Luke 5:21
• “But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking (διαλογίζομαι) in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side.” Luke 9:47
• “And they began to discuss (διαλογίζομαι) among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.” Luke 22:23
• “And they discussed (διαλογίζομαι) with one another, saying, ‘What shall we do to these men?'” Acts 4:15
• “While Peter was reflecting (διαλογίζομαι) on the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you.'” Acts 10:19

Cultural Insights

In the Hellenistic world of the first century, διαλογίζομαι carried strong associations with Greek philosophical traditions, particularly the Socratic and Platonic approaches to seeking truth through dialogue and reasoning. The ancient Mediterranean world highly valued this kind of reasoned discourse, seeing it as the mark of an educated person. When Jesus’ opponents διαλογίζομαι among themselves, they are engaging in a culturally respected form of intellectual discourse, albeit one that often leads them away from, rather than toward, truth.

This connects to an important Hebrew thought pattern as well. In rabbinic Judaism, the process of “pilpul” (פלפול) – dialectical reasoning through apparent contradictions in religious texts – bears similarities to διαλογίζομαι. The Mishnah and Talmud record numerous debates where rabbis reason through complex theological and halakhic questions. However, unlike Greek philosophical reasoning which often prized human intellect above all, rabbinic reasoning operated within the framework of divine revelation, seeking to understand God’s instructions rather than determine truth independently. This tension between Greek and Hebrew approaches to reasoning illuminates many New Testament passages where διαλογίζομαι appears.

Theological Significance

The New Testament usage of διαλογίζομαι reveals a profound theological truth: human reasoning, while valuable, has significant limitations when approaching divine mysteries. When the disciples διαλογίζομαι among themselves about the leaven of the Pharisees or who is greatest in the kingdom, they frequently miss the deeper spiritual realities Jesus is conveying. This pattern highlights the need for divine illumination alongside human reasoning – we are called to use our God-given minds, but also to recognize their limitations.

Yet, διαλογίζομαι itself is not portrayed negatively. Rather, it represents a gift from God – our capacity for rational thought – that needs proper orientation. The Messiah Jesus Himself perceived when others were engaged in διαλογίζομαι (Luke 5:22), demonstrating His divine insight into human thoughts. This reveals a beautiful aspect of Yahweh’s character: He engages with our reasoning processes, meeting us in our intellectual struggles and guiding our thoughts toward truth. Through the incarnation, God entered into human reasoning processes, sanctifying our thinking and directing it toward divine wisdom. The Holy Spirit continues this work, guiding believers’ thoughts (διαλογισμοί) toward godly conclusions.

Personal Application

When we encounter διαλογίζομαι in Scripture, we are invited to examine our own thought processes. Like the disciples who reasoned among themselves about bread when Jesus was speaking of doctrine, we too can become trapped in literal, material thinking when God is addressing spiritual realities. The remedy is not to abandon reasoning, but to submit our thinking to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to elevate our natural thought processes toward divine wisdom.

In practical terms, this means approaching difficult decisions with both careful reasoning (διαλογίζομαι) and humble dependence on God’s guidance. When facing complex situations, we can take comfort knowing that the same Messiah who perceived the disciples’ confused reasoning also understands our thought processes and can redirect them. As we study Scripture, discuss theological matters, or navigate ethical dilemmas, we are called to reason thoroughly while remaining open to divine correction and illumination.

Related Words

• λογίζομαι (logizomai, “to reckon, count, consider”) – The root verb of διαλογίζομαι without the intensifying prefix, referring to calculation or accounting, often used for spiritual “reckoning” of righteousness or sin. While διαλογίζομαι emphasizes thoroughness and often group discussion, λογίζομαι typically focuses on individual accounting or consideration. See G3049
• διαλογισμός (dialogismos, “thought, reasoning, opinion”) – The noun form derived from διαλογίζομαι, referring to the thoughts, reasonings or deliberations themselves rather than the process. While διαλογίζομαι is the action of reasoning, διαλογισμός represents the content of those thoughts. See G1261
• συζητέω (suzēteō, “to discuss, debate, dispute”) – Similar to διαλογίζομαι but emphasizes investigation and joint inquiry, often with more confrontational overtones. Where διαλογίζομαι can be internal or collaborative, συζητέω almost always indicates active debate between parties. See G4802
• διανοέομαι (dianoeomai, “to think through, consider”) – Another compound verb with διά, but focusing on the intellectual process of understanding rather than the back-and-forth deliberation implied by διαλογίζομαι. See G1260
• φρονέω (phroneō, “to think, set one’s mind on”) – Indicates mental disposition or orientation rather than the process of reasoning through something. Where διαλογίζομαι describes the act of thinking something through, φρονέω refers to one’s established mindset or perspective. See G5426

Did You Know?

• The English word “dialogue” derives from the same Greek roots as διαλογίζομαι, both stemming from διά (through) and λόγος (word, reason). This connection reminds us that genuine dialogue involves more than mere conversation; it requires thorough reasoning and careful consideration of different perspectives – precisely what διαλογίζομαι describes in Scripture.
• When Jesus perceives people “reasoning in their hearts” using διαλογίζομαι, He demonstrates a divine attribute described in Hebrew Scriptures. In 1 Kings 8:39, Solomon prays to Yahweh, acknowledging that He alone knows the hearts of all people. By knowing the internal διαλογισμοί of others, Jesus subtly demonstrates His divine nature, fulfilling Hebraic expectations of Messiah while using Greek terminology that His audience would understand.
• The pattern of διαλογίζομαι in the Gospels often reveals a fascinating psychological insight: the disciples frequently reason among themselves rather than directly asking Jesus their questions. This hesitation to voice their confusion appears in Matthew 16:7-8, Mark 9:33-34, and elsewhere, suggesting both their reverence for Jesus and their uncertainty about His teachings. Modern believers often exhibit the same tendency – reasoning through spiritual matters privately rather than bringing questions directly to God in prayer or consulting Scripture.

Remember This

διαλογίζομαι reminds us that while God gifted us with minds to reason thoroughly, true wisdom comes when our human deliberations submit to divine revelation, transforming our natural thought processes into pathways for spiritual understanding.