Lexical Summary diabolos: Devil, accuser, slanderer Original Word: διάβολος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance false accuser, devil, slanderer. From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare satan) -- false accuser, devil, slanderer. see GREEK diaballo see HEBREW satan HELPS Word-studies 1228 diábolos (from 1225 /diabállō, "to slander, accuse, defame") – properly, a slanderer; a false accuser; unjustly criticizing to hurt (malign) and condemn to sever a relationship. [1228 (diábolos) is the root of the English word, "Devil" (see also Webster's Dictionary). 1228 (diabolos) in secular Greek means "backbiter," i.e. an accuser, calumniator (slanderer). 1228 (diábolos) is literally someone who "casts through," i.e. making charges that bring down (destroy). Satan is used by God in this plan – as a predictable wind-up toy, playing out his evil nature.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom diaballó Definition slanderous, accusing falsely NASB Translation devil (34), malicious gossips (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1228: διάβολοςδιάβολος, διάβολον (διαβάλλω which see), prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely, (Aristophanes, Andocides ( Topical Lexicon Identity and Personhood Strong’s Greek 1228 designates a single, personal, supernatural being who stands in absolute opposition to God and His redemptive purposes. He is neither a mere force nor an impersonal principle but is consistently portrayed as a conscious, strategic adversary with intellect, emotion, and will (for example, Matthew 4:3–11; Job 1–2 in the Septuagint background). Scripture treats him as a created yet fallen spirit who commands other evil spirits (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7–9). Old Testament Background Although the specific Greek term does not occur in the Hebrew Scriptures, the concept emerges in figures such as “the serpent” of Genesis 3 and “Satan” of Job 1–2 and Zechariah 3. Revelation 12:9 explicitly unifies these threads: “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the one who leads the whole world astray”. Names and Titles While 1228 focuses on “the devil,” the New Testament freely interchanges other designations—Satan (adversary), the evil one, the tempter, Beelzebul, the god of this age, ruler of this world, dragon, serpent. Each title highlights a particular aspect of his activity: hostility, moral evil, deception, counterfeit authority. Character and Attributes • Deceptive: “There is no truth in him… he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Primary Works in Salvation History 1. Temptation and deception (Genesis 3; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). Temptation of Christ Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 display his audacity in confronting the incarnate Son. The devil manipulates legitimate needs (hunger), misapplies Scripture, and offers counterfeit glory. Christ counters with accurate, contextual Scripture, demonstrating how believers overcome (Ephesians 6:17). Opposition to the Gospel and Church Acts 13:10 exposes him as “an enemy of all righteousness.” Paul warns, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Resistance requires doctrinal clarity, moral integrity, and steadfast prayer (Ephesians 6:14–18). Accusation and Slander The root idea of slander surfaces when the plural form describes human “slanderers” (2 Timothy 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:3). When believers engage in malicious talk, they mirror the devil’s own character, underscoring the ethical urgency of guarding speech. Bondage and Death Hebrews 2:14–15 reveals that the devil wields the fear of death to enslave. Yet Christ’s atoning death robs him of that leverage, liberating believers from lifelong bondage. Eschatological Defeat Revelation charts a progressive eviction: cast from heaven (12:9–12), bound during Christ’s millennial reign (20:2), and finally “the devil… was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Matthew 25:41 indicates this eternal fire was “prepared for the devil and his angels,” not humanity, highlighting divine justice. Believers’ Warfare and Resistance James 4:7 presents a twofold strategy: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Practical submission includes repentance, humility, and obedience; resistance involves steadfast faith (1 Peter 5:9), truth, righteousness, and the gospel (Ephesians 6:14–16). Christ’s Victory and Mediation 1 John 3:8 grounds Christian confidence: “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” At the cross, the decisive blow fell; in Christ’s resurrection, the devil’s domain was broken; in Christ’s intercession, believers enjoy ongoing defense against accusation (Romans 8:33–34). Pastoral and Practical Applications • Vigilance without paranoia: recognize real spiritual opposition yet rest in Christ’s supremacy. Historical Reception in the Church Early creeds, patristic writings, Reformation confessions, and evangelical statements consistently affirm the devil’s reality. Spiritual warfare motifs shaped hymnody (“A Mighty Fortress”), liturgy (baptismal renunciations), and missionary strategy. While eras of rationalism downplayed his personhood, global Christianity—particularly in settings confronting animism and occultism—has revived a biblically balanced emphasis on Christ’s triumph over the devil. Conclusion Across thirty-eight New Testament occurrences, Strong’s 1228 marks a formidable yet defeated enemy. Scripture calls believers to sober vigilance, steadfast resistance, and confident reliance upon the crucified and risen Christ, whose ultimate victory guarantees the devil’s final doom and the saints’ everlasting freedom. Forms and Transliterations διάβολε διαβολοι διάβολοι διαβολον διάβολον διαβολος διάβολος διάβολός διαβολου διαβόλου διαβολους διαβόλους διαβολω διαβόλω διαβόλῳ διαβουλευόμενοι διαβούλια διαβουλίοις διαβουλιών diabolo diabolō diaboloi diabóloi diabólōi diáboloi diabolon diábolon diabolos diábolos diábolós diabolou diabólou diabolous diabólousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:1 Adj-GMSGRK: ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου NAS: to be tempted by the devil. KJV: to be tempted of the devil. INT: by the devil Matthew 4:5 Adj-NMS Matthew 4:8 Adj-NMS Matthew 4:11 Adj-NMS Matthew 13:39 Adj-NMS Matthew 25:41 Adj-DMS Luke 4:2 Adj-GMS Luke 4:3 Adj-NMS Luke 4:5 Adj-NMS Luke 4:6 Adj-NMS Luke 4:13 Adj-NMS Luke 8:12 Adj-NMS John 6:70 Adj-NMS John 8:44 Adj-GMS John 13:2 Adj-GMS Acts 10:38 Adj-GMS Acts 13:10 Adj-GMS Ephesians 4:27 Adj-DMS Ephesians 6:11 Adj-GMS 1 Timothy 3:6 Adj-GMS 1 Timothy 3:7 Adj-GMS 1 Timothy 3:11 Adj-AFP 2 Timothy 2:26 Adj-GMS 2 Timothy 3:3 Adj-NMP Titus 2:3 Adj-AFP Strong's Greek 1228 |
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