Brief Overview of δίλογος (G1351: dílogos)

Word Details

• Transliteration: δίλογος (DEE-lo-gos)
• Etymology: The word δίλογος is derived from two root words: δίς (dis), meaning “twice” or “double,” and λόγος (logos), meaning “word” or “speech.” Combined, the term conveys the idea of “double-tongued” or “speaking two ways.”
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Double-Tongued: The primary meaning of δίλογος is “double-tongued” or “two-faced.” It describes someone who says one thing to one person and another thing to someone else, often with deceitful or manipulative intent.
• Deceptive Speech: The term can also refer to deceptive or insincere speech, where someone is not straightforward in their communication and seeks to mislead others.

Further Insights

• Form: Adjective
• Gender: Masculine/Feminine (depending on the noun it modifies)
• Number: Singular (but can also be plural as δίλογοι)
• Case: Nominative (as typically used in dictionary form)

Further Insights Explained:

• As an adjective, δίλογος describes a characteristic or quality of a person’s speech or behavior. The term is often used in a negative sense to highlight dishonesty or duplicity in communication. The word’s structure—combining “double” and “speech”—emphasizes the idea of inconsistency or contradiction in what is said.

Disclaimer: The above morphological breakdown is based on the general form and usage of δίλογος in ancient Greek texts. The meaning and application may vary depending on the specific context within a sentence or passage.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• BDAG defines δίλογος as “double-tongued” or “deceitful,” particularly in reference to speech. The lexicon notes that this word is often used to describe people who are not trustworthy because they say different things to different people.
• Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 3:8, where δίλογος is used in the qualifications for deacons, warning against being “double-tongued.”

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer’s explains δίλογος as “saying one thing and meaning another,” highlighting the element of deceit involved. The term is associated with hypocrisy, where one’s words do not match their true intentions.
• Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 3:8 is the primary verse where this word appears, emphasizing the importance of honesty in speech.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ categorizes δίλογος as “insincere” or “deceitful,” particularly in the context of conversation or dialogue. The lexicon also mentions the broader cultural disdain for double-dealing or two-faced behavior in ancient Greek society.
• Classical Reference: In Aristotle’s Rhetoric, the term is used to critique those who engage in deceitful or manipulative rhetoric.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s highlights δίλογος as a word that is tied to the character of a person, noting that it is used to describe individuals who cannot be trusted because they are not consistent in their speech. The term is closely related to concepts of integrity and trustworthiness.
• Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 3:8 is again the key verse, where the term is used in the context of church leadership.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines δίλογος as “double-tongued” or “two-faced,” noting its singular appearance in the New Testament. The concordance emphasizes the negative connotation of the word, particularly in its moral implications.
• Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 3:8, underscoring the need for honesty and integrity among church leaders.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Aristotle’s Rhetoric: The term δίλογος is used to describe speakers who are insincere or deceptive in their rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of consistency and truth in communication.
• Sophocles’ Electra: In this play, the term appears in a context where characters accuse each other of being double-tongued or deceitful, reflecting the negative view of such behavior in Greek tragedy.
• Plato’s Republic: δίλογος is discussed in the context of justice and honesty, where it is contrasted with straightforward and sincere speech as an essential quality for just rulers.

Summary

The Greek word δίλογος (G1351: dílogos) is an adjective meaning “double-tongued” or “deceitful.” It is used to describe someone who speaks in a contradictory or inconsistent manner, often with the intent to deceive or manipulate others. The term carries a strong negative connotation, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity in communication. In the New Testament, δίλογος appears in 1 Timothy 3:8, where it is used in the qualifications for church deacons, highlighting the moral expectation of truthfulness. In classical Greek literature, δίλογος is similarly used to critique insincerity and deceit, reinforcing the value placed on straightforward and consistent speech in both ancient and biblical contexts.