Lexical Summary diamarturomai: To testify earnestly, to solemnly affirm, to charge Original Word: διαμαρτύρομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance charge, testify unto, witness. From dia and martureo; to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively -- charge, testify (unto), witness. see GREEK dia see GREEK martureo HELPS Word-studies 1263 diamartýromai (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly" and 3143 /martýromai, "witness, testify") – properly, thoroughly bear witness; to give solemn, earnest testimony (note the intensifying prefix, 1223 /diá). 1263 (diamartýromai) is an intensified compound for "giving full, clear testimony" (WS, 273). [1263 (diamartýromai) is always in the Greek middle voice which emphasizes witnessing done with a high level of self-involvement, i.e. with strong personal interest motivating it.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and marturomai Definition to affirm solemnly NASB Translation solemnly to testify (1), solemnly charge (3), solemnly testified (2), solemnly testifies (1), solemnly testifying (3), solemnly warned (1), solemnly witnessed (1), testified (1), testify solemnly (1), warn (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1263: διαμαρτύρομαιδιαμαρτύρομαι; deponent middle; imperfect διεμαρτυρομην (Acts 2:40 Rec.); 1 aorist διεμαρτυράμην; in the Sept. mostly for הֵעִיד; often in Greek writings from Xenophon down; see a multitude of examples from them in Winers De verb. comp. etc. Part v., p. 20ff; to call gods and men to witness (διά, with the interposition of gods and men; cf. Ellicott (after Winer's) on 1 Timothy 5:21); 1. to testify, i. e. earnestly, religiously to charge: followed by an imperative Acts 2:40; ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ καί Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, 2 Timothy 4:1 (2 Kings 17:13; Xenophon, Cyril 7, 1, 17 σύ μή πρότερον ἐμβαλλε τοῖς πολεμίοις, διαμαρτύρομαι, πρίν, etc.); also with ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ κτλ. followed by ἵνα (cf. Buttmann, 237 (204)), 1 Timothy 5:21 (followed by μή, Exodus 19:21); followed by the infinitive 2 Timothy 2:14 (not Lachmann) (Nehemiah 9:26). 2. to attest, testify to, solemnly affirm: Acts 20:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:6; Hebrews 2:6; followed by ὅτι, Acts 10:42; with the dative of person to give solemn testimony to one, Luke 16:28; with the accusative of the object to confirm a thing by (the interposition of) testimony, to testify, cause it to be believed: τόν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου, Acts 8:25; τόν εὐαγγέλιον, Acts 20:24; τήν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 28:23; for all the apostolic instruction came back finally to testimony respecting things which they themselves had seen or heard, or which had been disclosed to them by divine revelation (Acts 1:21; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:41; Acts 22:18); with the addition of εἰς and an accusative of the place unto which the testimony is borne: τά περί ἐμοῦ εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, Acts 23:11; with the addition of a dative of the person to whom the testimony is given: τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις τόν Χριστόν Ἰησοῦν, the Messianic dignity of Jesus, Acts 18:5; Ἰουδαίοις ... τήν ... μετάνοιαν καί πίστιν, the necessity of repentance and faith, Acts 20:21 (τῇ Ἱερουσαλήμ τάς ἀνομίας, into what sins she has fallen, Ezekiel 16:2). Strong’s Greek 1263 portrays an emphatic, authoritative declaration that both attests the truth and calls the hearer to account. Always set in a context of moral or spiritual urgency, it can be rendered “testify solemnly,” “bear witness earnestly,” “warn,” or “charge.” The speaker stands under divine obligation, and the hearer is placed under responsibility to respond. Old Testament Background Although the verb itself is Greek, the concept of solemn witness is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Law required two or three witnesses for judicial matters (Deuteronomy 19:15), and the prophets frequently “testified” against Israel’s sin (2 Kings 17:13). Psalm 50:7 records God’s own declaration, “Hear, O My people, and I will testify against you.” Thus, the New Testament writers employ 1263 within a long-established covenantal framework: God speaks, a servant conveys, and the audience is accountable. New Testament Usage Fifteen occurrences fall into three broad spheres: 1. Apostolic preaching to the unconverted 2. Prophetic warning by the Holy Spirit 3. Pastoral or judicial charges within the church The Apostolic Commission Acts 10:42 shows the risen Christ Himself using the verb: “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.” This charge shapes the whole missionary enterprise. The apostles are not merely offering information; they are serving legal notice of Christ’s universal lordship and impending judgment. Pastoral Applications Paul’s two letters to Timothy demonstrate how 1263 functions in pastoral leadership: • Its content centers on the gospel, godliness, and church order. By employing the verb, Paul elevates pastoral instruction to a covenantal testimony that the flock must heed. Eschatological Warnings and Promises Because 1263 often looks ahead to judgment (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1), it underlines the eschatological dimension of Christian proclamation. Witnesses are accountable for delivering the message; hearers are accountable for embracing it. Even apostles like Paul receive reinforcement from the Lord Himself: “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Relation to the Gospel Witness The verb frequently appears alongside key gospel terms: repentance, faith, grace, salvation, kingdom. It frames these doctrines not as optional philosophies but as divinely certified realities. The combination of loving persuasion and solemn testimony keeps evangelism balanced—both compassionate and uncompromising. Practical Implications for Ministry 1. Preaching should include earnest testimony that confronts hearers with the claims of Christ. Doctrinal Significance Strong’s 1263 safeguards three doctrines: • Divine Authority – The speaker stands under God’s directive; therefore the message is binding. By weaving these themes through historical narrative, pastoral epistle, and theological exposition, the New Testament presents διαμαρτύρομαι as an indispensable verb in the church’s vocabulary of witness—expressing the solemn, Spirit-empowered call of God to a world that must respond. Englishman's Concordance Luke 16:28 V-PSM/P-3SGRK: ἀδελφούς ὅπως διαμαρτύρηται αὐτοῖς ἵνα NAS: in order that he may warn them, so KJV: that he may testify unto them, INT: brothers so that he might warn them that Acts 2:40 V-AIM-3S Acts 8:25 V-APM-NMP Acts 10:42 V-ANM Acts 18:5 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 20:21 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 20:23 V-PIM/P-3S Acts 20:24 V-ANM Acts 23:11 V-AIM-2S Acts 28:23 V-PPM/P-NMS 1 Thessalonians 4:6 V-AIM-1P 1 Timothy 5:21 V-PIM/P-1S 2 Timothy 2:14 V-PPM/P-NMS 2 Timothy 4:1 V-PIM/P-1S Hebrews 2:6 V-AIM-3S Strong's Greek 1263 |
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