Lexical Summary diakatelegchomai: To thoroughly refute, to confute, to convict completely. Original Word: διακατελέγχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance convince. Middle voice from dia and a compound of kata and elegcho; to prove downright, i.e. Confute -- convince. see GREEK dia see GREEK kata see GREEK elegcho HELPS Word-studies 1246 diakatelég 1246/diakatelég NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia, kata and elegchó Definition to confute completely NASB Translation refuted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1246: διακατελέγχομαιδιακατελέγχομαι: imperfect διακατηλεγχομην; to confute with rivalry and effort or in a contest (on this use of the preposition διά in compos. cf. Herm. ad Vig., p. 854; (others give it here the sense of completeness; see διά, C. 2)): with the dative of person (Winers Grammar, § 31, 1 f.; Buttmann, 177 (154)); not found except in Acts 18:28 (R. V. powerfully confuted). Topical Lexicon Context in Acts 18:28 The participle διακατηλέγχετο describes Apollos in Achaia: “For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:28). Luke presents Apollos as a gifted Alexandrian Jew who, having been instructed more fully by Priscilla and Aquila, becomes a vigorous advocate for the gospel. The verb portrays his thorough, systematic dismantling of objections raised in the synagogue and his positive demonstration of Jesus’ messiahship from the Hebrew Scriptures. Historical and Cultural Setting Public disputation was a staple of first-century synagogue life. Skilled teachers marshalled texts from the Law, Prophets, and Writings to establish their positions. In a Greco-Roman milieu that prized rhetoric, a speaker who could integrate Jewish exegesis with classical eloquence commanded attention. Apollos, trained in Alexandria’s renowned educational environment, represents such a figure. His ministry occurs shortly after Paul’s eighteen-month stay in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17) and becomes a catalyst for the church’s growth in Achaia, demonstrating that apostolic preaching and persuasive reasoning are complementary. Connection with the Wider Biblical Theme of “Refutation” 1. “Refute, reprove, expose” appears elsewhere through the cognate verb ἐλέγχω (John 3:20; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2) and the noun ἔλεγχος (2 Timothy 3:16). In each case Scripture, empowered by the Spirit, brings sin and error into the light. Theological Significance • Christological Fulfilment: Apollos’ use of the Old Testament affirms the unity of revelation—promises made find their “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Implications for Contemporary Ministry 1. Anchored Reasoning: Christian apologetics should remain tethered to biblical testimony rather than resting solely on philosophy or sentiment. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications • Preaching: Sermons benefit from a structure that anticipates objections, marshals multiple texts, and culminates in Christ’s person and work. Related Words for Further Study 1651 ἐλέγχω – to reprove, convict. 1650 ἔλεγχος – proof, conviction. 2001 ἐπιτιμάω – to rebuke with authority. These terms, alongside 1246, form a lexical family illustrating various intensities and settings of correction, from private admonition to public, systematic refutation. Summary Strong’s Greek 1246 portrays Apollos’ exhaustive, Scripture-saturated dismantling of unbelief. Its solitary use in Acts 18:28 accents the indispensable role of relentless biblical reasoning in proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah. The word challenges today’s church to pair Spirit-filled proclamation with diligent exegesis, ensuring that every objection meets the authoritative testimony of God’s Word. Forms and Transliterations διακατηλεγχετο διακατηλέγχετο διακενής διακένω διακλέπτεται διακλών διακομίσαντες διεκλέπτετο διεκόμισαν diakatelencheto diakateléncheto diakatēlencheto diakatēlénchetoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 18:28 V-IIM/P-3SGRK: τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις διακατηλέγχετο δημοσίᾳ ἐπιδεικνὺς NAS: for he powerfully refuted the Jews KJV: he mightily convinced the Jews, INT: the Jews he refuted publicly showing |
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