Lexical Summary diakrinó: To distinguish, to discern, to judge, to doubt Original Word: διακρίνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance contend, discern, doubt, judge, be partial. From dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate -- contend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver. see GREEK dia see GREEK krino HELPS Word-studies 1252 diakrínō (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly back-and-forth," which intensifies 2919 /krínō, "to judge") – properly, investigate (judge) thoroughly – literally, judging "back-and-forth" which can either (positively) refer to close-reasoning (descrimination) or negatively "over-judging" (going too far, vacillating). Only the context indicates which sense is meant. [1252 (diakrínō) "literally means, 'to separate throughout or wholly' (dia, 'asunder,' krinō, 'to judge,' from a root kri, meaning 'separation'), then, to distinguish, decide" (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 125).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and krinó Definition to distinguish, to judge NASB Translation decide (1), discern (1), disputed (1), doubt (2), doubting (2), doubts (2), judge (1), judged (1), made distinctions (1), made...distinction (1), misgivings (2), pass judgment (1), regards...as superior (1), took issue (1), waver (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1252: διακρίνωδιακρίνω; imperfect διεκρινον; 1 aorist διεκρινα; middle (present διακρίνομαι); imperfect διεκρινομην; 1 aorist διεκρίθην (in secular authors in a passive sense, to be separated; cf. Winers Grammar, § 39, 2; (Buttmann, 52 (45))); in Greek writings from Homer down; in the Sept. chiefly for שָׁפַט, also for הֵדִין etc. 1. "to separate, make a distinction, discriminate (cf. διά, C. 4): οὐδέν διέκρινε μεταξύ ἡμῶν τέ καί αὐτῶν, Acts 15:9; μηδέν διακρίναντα, making no difference, namely, between Jews and Gentiles, Acts 11:12 L T Tr WH; like the Latindistinguo, used emphatically: to distinguish or separate a person or thing from the rest, in effect equivalent to to prefer, yield to him the preference or honor: τινα, 1 Corinthians 4:7 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 452 (421)); τό σῶμα (τοῦ κυρίου), 1 Corinthians 11:29. 2. to learn by discrimination, to try, decide: Matthew 16:3 (T brackets WH reject the passage); 1 Corinthians 14:29; ἑαυτόν, 1 Corinthians 11:31; to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute: 1 Corinthians 6:5. Passive and middle to be parted, to separate oneself from; 1. to withdraw from one, desert him (Thucydides 1, 105; 3, 9); of heretics withdrawing from the society of true Christians (Sozom. 7, 2 (p. 705, Vales. edition) ἐκ τούτου οἱ μέν διακριθεντες ἰδίᾳ ἐκκλησιαζον): Jude 1:22 according to the (preferable) reading of L T Tr text ἐλέγχετε διακρινομένους, those who separate themselves from you, i. e. who apostatize; instead of the Rec. ἐληιτε διακρινομένοι, which is to be rendered, making for yourselves a selection; cf. Huther at the passage; (others though adopting the reading preferred above, refer διακρίνω to the following head and translate it while they dispute with you; but WH (see their Appendix) Tr marginal reading follow manuscripts א B and a few other authorities in reading ἐλεᾶτε διακρινομένους, according to which διακρίνω is probably to be referred to signification 3: R. V. text on some have mercy, who are in doubt). 2. to separate oneself in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with, dispute, contend: with the dative of person Jude 1:9 (Polybius 2, 22,11 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 1 g.; Buttmann, 177 (154)); πρός τινα, Acts 11:2 (Herodotus 9, 58). 3. in a sense not found in secular authors, to be at variance with oneself, hesitate, doubt: Matthew 21:21; Romans 14:23; James 1:6; ἐν τῇ καρδία αὐτοῦ, Mark 11:23; ἐν ἑαυτῷ (i. e., ἑαυτοῖς), James 2:4 (others refer this to 1: do ye not make distinctions among yourselves); μηδέν διακρινόμενος, nothing doubting, i. e. wholly free from doubt, James 1:6; without any hesitation as to whether it be lawful or not, Acts 10:20 and according to R G in The verb family grouped under Strong’s 1252 spans two principal ideas: (1) decisive separation that leads to clear judgment or discernment and (2) an inward wavering that manifests as doubt or contentious disputing. Context determines which shade comes forward, yet both revolve around the act of “making a distinction.” Nineteen occurrences distribute almost evenly between positive discernment and negative doubting, showing how the same mental act can honor or dishonor God. Discernment That Strengthens Faith The faithful use of διακρίνω appears in passages that call believers to sift evidence, reach sound conclusions, and thus fortify trust in the Lord. In Matthew 16:3 Jesus rebukes His hearers for failing to “discern the signs of the times,” implying that right discernment would have led them to confess Him as Messiah. Likewise, Acts 15:9 celebrates that God “made no distinction between us and them, and purified their hearts by faith,” a divine act of discernment that opened the church to Gentiles. Such texts show that careful distinguishing can serve redemptive purposes. Doubt That Weakens Faith Conversely, the same root exposes the peril of double-mindedness. James warns, “But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). Mark 11:23 links mountain-moving prayer to an undivided heart: “and does not doubt in his heart.” Romans 4:20 commends Abraham who “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.” Here διακρίνω depicts an internal court where God’s promise is either upheld or questioned; wavering renders the verdict against trust. Discernment in Corporate Worship Paul instructs prophetic assemblies: “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh carefully what is said” (1 Corinthians 14:29). Spiritual gifts operate safely only when mature believers exercise evaluative discernment. In the Lord’s Supper the same apostle commands each participant to “examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). Here discernment guards against irreverence, sickness, and even death in the congregation (11:30-31). Guidance in Missionary Expansion Luke’s narrative shows διακρίνω guiding the missionary frontier. Peter, meeting the men from Cornelius, is told by the Spirit, “Go with them, doubting nothing” (Acts 10:20; echoed in Acts 11:12). The verb underscores that reluctance to cross ethnic boundaries would have been unbelief, whereas Spirit-led discernment identified God’s new work. Later, when Jewish believers in Jerusalem “contended” with Peter (Acts 11:2), the same root captures their dispute; Peter’s orderly rehearsal of events resolved the controversy, turning doubt into praise (11:18). Conflict Resolution and Legal Matters In 1 Corinthians 6:5 Paul shames the church for dragging lawsuits before unbelievers: “Is it really possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge between his brothers?” Διακρίνω points to an internal judicatory competence that Spirit-filled believers should possess. Failure to exercise it betrays immaturity and diminishes Christian witness before the watching world. Contending for the Faith Jude employs the term twice. Michael the archangel, “when he disputed with the devil… did not dare bring a slanderous charge” (Jude 9), illustrating restrained yet resolute discernment. In Jude 22 believers are told, “And have mercy on those who doubt,” charging the church to rescue the wavering with gentle firmness. Contending for the faith therefore involves both doctrinal vigilance and pastoral compassion. Social Equity and Partiality James confronts favoritism in the assembly: “Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:4). Here διακρίνω unmasks social partiality as illegitimate discrimination that contradicts the gospel’s leveling effect at the foot of the cross. Theological Significance 1. God Himself exercises perfect discernment, distinguishing between people (Acts 15:9) and judging motives (1 Corinthians 4:5). Historical Reception Early Fathers such as Athanasius appealed to διακρίνω when defending Christ’s deity, insisting that orthodox Christians “discern” Scripture rightly. Reformers elevated the private judgment of the believer—under Scripture’s supremacy—as a corrective to ecclesiastical abuse. Throughout revivals, from the Great Awakening to modern missionary movements, leaders have invoked this verb to balance zeal with biblical testing of spirits and phenomena. Ministry Applications • Cultivate Scripture-saturated judgment in counseling, discipline, and public teaching. Practical Exhortation Discern every doctrine, impulse, and opportunity through the lens of God’s infallible word; yet refuse the paralyzing skepticism that keeps mountains unmoved, prayers unanswered, and the church divided. Strong’s 1252 calls Christ’s followers to be decisive believers, not divided doubters. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 16:3 V-PNAGRK: οὐρανοῦ γινώσκετε διακρίνειν τὰ δὲ NAS: Do you know how to discern the appearance KJV: ye can discern the face INT: sky you know [how] to discern moreover Matthew 21:21 V-ASP-2P Mark 11:23 V-ASP-3S Acts 10:20 V-PPM-NMS Acts 11:2 V-IIM-3P Acts 11:12 V-APA-AMS Acts 15:9 V-AIA-3S Romans 4:20 V-AIP-3S Romans 14:23 V-PPM-NMS 1 Corinthians 4:7 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 6:5 V-ANA 1 Corinthians 11:29 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 11:31 V-IIA-1P 1 Corinthians 14:29 V-PMA-3P James 1:6 V-PPM-NMS James 1:6 V-PPM-NMS James 2:4 V-AIP-2P Jude 1:9 V-PPM-NMS Jude 1:22 V-PPM-AMP Strong's Greek 1252 |
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