Lexical Summary népiazó: To be a child, to act as a child Original Word: νηπιάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be a child. From nepios; to act as a babe, i.e. (figuratively) innocently -- be a child. see GREEK nepios NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom népios Definition to be an infant NASB Translation infants (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3515: νηπιάζωνηπιάζω (cf. Winer's Grammar, 92 (87)); (νήπιος, which see); to be a babe (infant): 1 Corinthians 14:20. (Hippocrates; ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3515 occurs once in the New Testament and conveys the idea of “acting as an infant.” The single imperative appearance frames the term as a deliberate posture believers are to adopt toward evil, not toward their understanding of truth. Biblical usage 1 Corinthians 14:20 stands alone linguistically yet rests within a wider scriptural pattern that uses infancy both positively and negatively. Infancy can symbolize purity and trust (Matthew 18:3-4) or, conversely, immaturity and instability (Ephesians 4:14). The verb of 1 Corinthians 14:20 emphasizes the former—ethical innocence. The command in 1 Corinthians 14:20 “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.” Paul’s juxtaposition establishes two simultaneous duties: • Be uninstructed in malice—retain the moral freshness of a newborn who has not tasted sin’s corruption. Childlike innocence contrasted with mature understanding Scripture never endorses naïveté toward doctrine. Jesus commends childlike faith (Matthew 11:25) yet warns against gullibility (Matthew 10:16). The apostolic model is innocence without ignorance—simple concerning vice, sophisticated concerning truth (Romans 16:19). Connections with Old Testament and Jewish thought Hebrew culture prized tamîm (“blameless,” Genesis 6:9) and tach (“simple,” Proverbs 1:4) as descriptors of righteous character. Infancy evoked covenantal hope: a new generation unmarked by idolatry’s scars (Deuteronomy 29:11). Paul draws on this ethical symbolism to instruct the Corinthian congregation, steeped in pagan excess, to start afresh in their moral orientation. Patristic reflections • Chrysostom highlights the protective aspect: an infant “knows nothing of the poison of wickedness.” Implications for Christian discipleship 1. Teaching ministries must pair doctrinal depth with ethical safeguarding, nurturing believers who are hard to deceive yet hard to defile. Guarding against evil The imperative “be infants” legitimizes strategic ignorance—choosing not to explore sinful practices, media, or conversations. Such restraint honors Philippians 4:8, focusing thought on whatever is pure. Relationship to spiritual gifts Corinth exalted ecstatic utterances; Paul’s correction centers on edification (1 Corinthians 14:12). Moral infancy toward evil prevents gifts from becoming tools of rivalry or sensuality, thereby safeguarding corporate worship. Contemporary application • Digital culture exposes believers to pervasive corruption; intentional limitations (filters, accountability partners) obey the call to remain infant-like in evil. Related biblical motifs Child of God – Romans 8:16 Pure heart – Matthew 5:8 Blamelessness – Philippians 2:15 Summary Strong’s 3515 underscores an essential tension in Christian maturity: moral naiveté toward sin coupled with intellectual and spiritual completeness. The believer is called to keep the heart unspotted while the mind grows robust in truth, reflecting the Savior who was “holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26) yet taught with unparalleled authority. Forms and Transliterations νηπιαζετε νηπιάζετε nepiazete nepiázete nēpiazete nēpiázeteLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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