Brief Overview of παρείσακτος (Strong’s G3920: pareisaktos)

Strong’s G3920: An adjective derived from παρεισάγω, meaning “brought in secretly, smuggled in, or introduced surreptitiously.” Used in Galatians 2:4 to describe false brothers who infiltrated the church. Emphasizes the deceptive nature of those who secretly introduce false teachings or restrictions on Christian freedom.

U- Unveiling the Word

παρείσακτος describes someone or something brought in by stealth or deception. In its sole New Testament usage, Paul uses it to describe false brothers who infiltrated the church to undermine Christian freedom. The compound structure emphasizes the clandestine nature of the intrusion. Early church fathers employed this term to warn against those who would secretly introduce legalism or false teaching into the church. Today, it serves as a warning about subtle attempts to compromise gospel freedom and truth.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παρείσακτος, pareisaktos, /par-ice-AK-tos/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + ice + AK (stressed) + tos
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside
• εἰσ- (eis-): into
• -ακτος (-aktos): verbal adjective suffix from ἄγω (to bring)

D – Defining Meanings

• Brought in secretly
• Smuggled in
• Secretly introduced

For compound words:
The combination creates the concept of something brought (ἄγω) into (εἰσ-) from alongside (παρα-), emphasizing stealth and deception

Translation Options:

• “False infiltrators” – emphasizes the deceptive nature
• “Secretly brought in” – maintains literal meaning
• “Intruders” – captures the unwelcome aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ψευδάδελφος (pseudadelphos) /psyoo-DAD-el-fos/ – false brother
• νόθος (nothos) /NO-thos/ – illegitimate, counterfeit
• κρυπτός (kryptos) /kryp-TOS/ – hidden, secret

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective, παρείσακτος exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: 2nd

Examples:
παρείσακτος (masc. nom. sing.)
παρείσακτον (neut. nom/acc. sing.)
παρείσακτοι (masc. nom. pl.)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use for unwelcome intruders. Thayer’s notes its connection to false teaching. LSJ documents usage for unauthorized entry. Vine’s highlights its warning context. Moulton and Milligan note its rare occurrence in non-biblical Greek.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Yet because of [παρείσακτος] false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 2:4)

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παρείσακτος represents those who secretly infiltrate to undermine truth and freedom, particularly in religious contexts. Its usage warns against subtle attempts to compromise gospel truth.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears only once in the New Testament but became important in early church discussions of heresy
• It influenced early Christian vocabulary for discussing false teachers
• The term combines three different Greek elements to create a precise picture of deceptive infiltration

[Lexicon Summary]
An adjective derived from παρεισάγω, meaning “brought in secretly, smuggled in, or introduced surreptitiously.” Used in Galatians 2:4 to describe false brothers who infiltrated the church. Emphasizes the deceptive nature of those who secretly introduce false teachings or restrictions on Christian freedom.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: #adjective #false_teaching #galatians #paul #deception #freedom #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #heresy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​