Lexical Summary dio: therefore, for this reason, because of this Original Word: διό Strong's Exhaustive Concordance for this reason, therefore, wherefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently -- for which cause, therefore, wherefore. see GREEK dia see GREEK hos HELPS Word-studies 1352 dió (a conjunction, derived from 1223 /diá, "across to the other side," and the relative pronoun 3739 /hós, "which") – because-therefore; on account of which therefore. Two "directions" are expressed by 1352 (dió) – looking backward ("because") to properly look forward ("therefore"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and hos, Definition wherefore, on which account NASB Translation reason (1), so then (1), therefore (43), this reason (6), wherefore (1), why (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1352: διόδιό, conjunction equivalent to δἰ ὁ (from Thucydides and Plato down), wherefore, on which account: Matthew 27:8; Luke 1:35; Luke 7:7; Acts 10:29; Romans 1:24; Romans 2:1; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Hebrews 3:7; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:13, and often. (Cf. Winers Grammar, 445 (414); Buttmann, 233 (200); on Paul's use, see Ellicott on Galatians 4:31.) Topical Lexicon Essential Sense and Function διό is the New Testament’s concise hinge-word for drawing necessary conclusions. Whenever the Spirit-inspired writers wish to declare, “Given all that has just been said, this must follow,” διό supplies the pivot. Translators render it “therefore,” “for this reason,” or “wherefore,” but its enduring value lies in clarifying that a stated fact inevitably produces a stated result. The term never weakens to mere suggestion; it signals obligation, certainty, or logical necessity. Distribution and Literary Setting With fifty-three occurrences, διό appears in every major New Testament genre: Gospel narrative (Matthew 27:8; Luke 1:35; Luke 7:7), historical narrative (Acts), Pauline letters, Hebrews, James, Petrine epistles, and even Philemon. The range demonstrates how integral logical connection is to revelation, whether recounting history or expounding doctrine. • Narrative Examples • Apostolic History • Pauline Corpus Paul is the most frequent user, employing διό to weld theological indicatives to moral imperatives. Romans 12 begins without the word, but earlier letters show the pattern: “Therefore it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:22) joins Abraham’s faith to the doctrine of justification; “Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority” (Romans 13:5) moves from sovereignty to civic duty; “Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you” (Romans 15:7) turns Christology into communal ethic. • General Epistles Hebrews concentrates thirteen uses, often shifting from Old Covenant exposition to New Covenant exhortation: “Therefore, leaving the elementary principles of Christ, let us press on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1); “Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be thankful” (Hebrews 12:28). James and Peter likewise employ the conjunction when turning insight into action (James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:13). Linking Doctrine to Exhortation Scripture never presents truth for abstraction’s sake. διό embodies the apostolic insistence that orthodoxy births orthopraxy. 1. Redemptive Accomplishment to Redemptive Application Philippians 2:9 grounds Christ’s exaltation: “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place…” Christ’s voluntary humility demands the Father’s vindication and calls believers to like-minded servanthood (Philippians 2:5, introduced earlier by διό in verse 9). 2. Indicative to Imperative Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully…” Because believers “have put on the new self,” honesty is obligatory, not optional. 3. Assurance to Encouragement 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.” Future hope (verse 10) becomes present ministry. Key Theological Contexts • Sin and Judgment: Romans 1:24—human suppression of truth inevitably leads to divine handing over; διό underscores inevitability. Christ-Centered Connections At pivotal Christological moments, διό signals divine response to the Son’s mission: Pastoral and Homiletical Value Preachers regularly alert hearers that every biblical “therefore” demands inquiry: “What is it there for?” Recognizing διό helps: 1. Structure sermons around divine logic—exposition before application. Historical and Cultural Notes Classical Greek used διό for legal and rhetorical deductions. New Testament writers adopt the term without alteration, demonstrating that divine revelation employs but transcends human rhetoric: God speaks in the language of reason, grounding faith in truth. Summary διό, though a small conjunction, is a theological signpost. It gathers divine facts and presses them upon the conscience, ensuring that revelation moves naturally into response. Every occurrence—whether explaining a geographical nickname, commanding ethical reform, or unveiling heavenly glory—signals the unbreakable unity of truth and life in the gospel. Forms and Transliterations διο διό διὸ dio dió diòLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:8 ConjGRK: διὸ ἐκλήθη ὁ NAS: For this reason that field KJV: Wherefore that field INT: Therefore was called the Luke 1:35 Conj Luke 7:7 Conj Acts 10:29 Conj Acts 15:19 Conj Acts 20:31 Conj Acts 24:26 Conj Acts 25:26 Conj Acts 26:3 Conj Acts 27:25 Conj Acts 27:34 Conj Romans 1:24 Conj Romans 2:1 Conj Romans 4:22 Conj Romans 13:5 Conj Romans 15:7 Conj Romans 15:22 Conj 1 Corinthians 12:3 Conj 1 Corinthians 14:13 Conj 2 Corinthians 1:20 Conj 2 Corinthians 2:8 Conj 2 Corinthians 4:13 Conj 2 Corinthians 4:13 Conj 2 Corinthians 4:16 Conj 2 Corinthians 5:9 Conj |
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