Lexical Summary elegchos: Reproof, conviction, evidence, proof Original Word: ἔλεγχος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance evidence, reproof. From elegcho; proof, conviction -- evidence, reproof. see GREEK elegcho HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1650 élegxos (a masculine noun) – inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of faith ("the internal persuasion from Him," see 4102 /pístis). See 1651 (elegxō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom elegchó Definition a proof, test NASB Translation conviction (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1650: ἔλεγχοςἔλεγχος, ἐλέγχου, ὁ (ἐλέγχω); 1. a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested (τό πρᾶγμα τόν ἔλεγχον δώσει, Demosthenes 44, 15 (i. e. in Philippians 1:15); τῆς εὐψυχίας, Euripides, Herc. fur. 162; ἐνθαδ' ὁ ἔλεγχος τοῦ πράγματος, Epictetus diss. 3, 10, 11; others): τῶν (or rather, πραγμάτων) οὐ βλεπομένων, that by which invisible things are proved (and we are convinced of their reality), Hebrews 11:1 (Vulg.argumentumnonapparentium (Tdf.rerumarg.nonparentum)); (others take the word here (in accordance with the preceding ὑπόστασις, which see) of the inward result of proving viz. a conviction; see Lünem, at the passage). 2. conviction (Augustine,convictio): πρός ἔλεγχον, for convicting one of his sinfulness, 2 Timothy 3:16 R G. (Euripides, Plato, Demosthenes, others; the Sept. chiefly for תּוכַחַת.) The word denotes a demonstrative proof that exposes error and brings something to the light so that its true character is unmistakable. It functions both negatively (showing a fault) and positively (establishing what is real and sure). Occurrences in the New Testament 1. 2 Timothy 3:16 – Paul lists Scripture as “useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness”. Here the term highlights Scripture’s capacity to confront false belief or behavior and establish what is right. Theological Significance Conviction or proof is central to God’s revelation. By it: Historical and Pastoral Context Early Christian teachers cherished the term because it protected the church from error. The Pastoral Epistles repeatedly command leaders to “rebuke” (a cognate verb) those who contradict sound teaching (2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:13). Hebrews, written to wavering Jewish believers, employs the noun to insist that faith itself is grounded on objective, God-given proof. Relationship to Allied Biblical Concepts • Discipline: Hebrews 12:5-11 connects reproof with fatherly training. Application in Preaching and Teaching • Expository preaching should allow the text to do its convicting work rather than relying on human persuasion. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Saturate ministry with Scripture so that conviction is God-centered, not personality-driven. Summary Strong’s 1650 points to the God-given proof that unmasks error and establishes truth. Through Scripture and the witness of the Spirit, it brings sinners to repentance, strengthens the faith of believers, and safeguards the church’s purity until Christ returns. Englishman's Concordance 2 Timothy 3:16 N-AMSGRK: διδασκαλίαν πρὸς ἐλεγμόν πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν KJV: doctrine, for reproof, for correction, INT: teaching for reproof for correction Hebrews 11:1 N-NMS Strong's Greek 1650 |
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