3515. népiazó

Lexicon

népiazó: To be a child, to act as a child

Original Word: νηπιάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: népiazó
Pronunciation: nay-pee-ad'-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (nay-pee-ad'-zo)
Definition: To be a child, to act as a child
Meaning: I am childlike, childish, infantile.

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 Origin
from népios
Definition
to be an infant
NASB Translation
infants (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3515: νηπιάζω

νηπιάζω (cf. Winer's Grammar, 92 (87)); (νήπιος, which see); to be a babe (infant): 1 Corinthians 14:20. (Hippocrates; ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word νήπιος (nēpios), meaning "infant" or "child."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for νηπιάζω, the concept of spiritual immaturity can be related to Hebrew terms such as פֶּתִי (pethi, Strong's 6612), meaning "simple" or "naive," and יֶלֶד (yeled, Strong's 3206), meaning "child." These terms similarly convey the idea of simplicity or lack of mature understanding.

Usage: The verb νηπιάζω is used in the New Testament to describe a state of spiritual immaturity or simplicity, often in contrast to mature understanding or wisdom.

Context: The Greek verb νηπιάζω appears in the New Testament to convey the concept of spiritual immaturity or childlike simplicity. It is used metaphorically to describe believers who have not yet reached spiritual maturity and are still in the early stages of their faith journey. This term emphasizes the need for growth and development in understanding and living out the Christian faith.

In 1 Corinthians 14:20, the Apostle Paul uses νηπιάζω to admonish the Corinthian believers: "Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature." Here, Paul contrasts the innocence and simplicity of children with the mature understanding expected of believers. He encourages them to be innocent regarding evil but to grow in their understanding and discernment.

The use of νηπιάζω highlights the importance of progressing from spiritual infancy to maturity. It serves as a reminder that while childlike faith is valued, believers are called to deepen their knowledge and application of God's truth. This growth is essential for effective ministry and for standing firm against false teachings and worldly influences.

Forms and Transliterations

νηπιαζετε νηπιάζετε nepiazete nepiázete nēpiazete nēpiázete

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 14:20 V-PMA-2P
GRK: τῇ κακίᾳ νηπιάζετε ταῖς δὲ
NAS: in evil be infants, but in your thinking
KJV: in malice be ye children, but
INT: in the [regard to] evil be little children in the [regard to] however

Strong's Greek 3515
1 Occurrence

νηπιάζετε — 1 Occ.