3919. pareisagó
Lexical Summary
pareisagó: To introduce secretly, to bring in stealthily

Original Word: παρεισάγω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pareisagó
Pronunciation: pä-rā-sä'-gō
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ice-ag'-o)
KJV: privily bring in
NASB: secretly introduce
Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) and G1521 (εἰσάγω - brought)]

1. to bring in from the side
2. to introduce secretly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
introduce secretly

From para and eisago; to lead in aside, i.e. Introduce surreptitiously -- privily bring in.

see GREEK para

see GREEK eisago

HELPS Word-studies

3919 pareiságō (from 3844 /pará, "from close beside" and 1521 /eiságō, "introduce") – properly, introduce from close beside, i.e. enter by stealth.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from para and eisagó
Definition
to introduce, to bring in secretly
NASB Translation
secretly introduce (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3919: παρεισάγω

παρεισάγω: future παρεισαξω; (see παρά, IV. 1); to introduce or bring in secretly or craftily: αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας, 2 Peter 2:1. In the same sense of heretics: ἕκαστος ἰδίως καί ἑτέρως ἰδίαν δόξαν παρεισηγαγοσαν, Hegesippus (circa ) quoted in Eusebius, h. e. 4, 22, 5; δοκοῦσι παρεισάγειν τά ἄρρητα αὐτῶν ... μυστήρια, Origen philos. (equivalent to Hippolytus refut. omn. haeres.) 5, 17 at the end; of Marcion, νομίζων καινόν τί παρεισάγειν, ibid. 7, 29 at the beginning; — passages noted by Hilgenfeld, Zeitschr. f. wissensch. Theol. 1860, p. 125f (οἱ προδόται τούς στρατιώτας παρεισαγαγοντες ἐντός τῶν τειχῶν κυρίους τῆς πόλεως ἐποίησαν, Diodorus 12, 41 (cf. Polybius 1, 18, 3; 2, 7, 8). In other senses in other secular authors)

Topical Lexicon
Meaning in Context

Παρεισάγω (Strong’s 3919) describes the covert introduction of something alongside what already exists. In 2 Peter 2:1 the future middle indicative παρεισάξουσιν depicts false teachers “secretly introducing destructive heresies.” The term emphasizes stealth and deception, contrasting open proclamation with hidden infiltration.

Biblical Background and Parallels

While the verb itself appears only in 2 Peter 2:1, the concept pervades Scripture:
• Jude 4 – “For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed…”
Acts 20:29-30 – Paul warns that after his departure “savage wolves will come in among you.”
Galatians 2:4 – “False brothers secretly brought in” to spy out the believers’ freedom.
Matthew 13:25 – The enemy sows tares “while men were sleeping.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – Deceitful workers disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

Together these passages show a consistent pattern: error gains ground by masquerading as truth and attaching itself to orthodox communities.

Historical Setting of 2 Peter

Peter writes near the end of his life (2 Peter 1:14), addressing congregations already exposed to internal corruption. His choice of παρεισάγω points to a danger not yet fully visible: the doctrines had not merely been proposed; they were being smuggled into fellowship life. Early church fathers—Ignatius, Polycarp, and Irenaeus—echo Peter’s concern, recounting Gnostic and Docetic movements that arose from within Christian circles.

Theological Significance

1. Authority of Revelation: Secret innovation challenges the sufficiency of the apostolic message delivered “once for all” (Jude 3).
2. Holiness of the Body: Hidden error threatens communal purity, illustrating why the church must exercise discipline (Titus 3:10).
3. Sovereignty and Judgment: Peter assures that though heresies enter clandestinely, “their destruction is swift” (2 Peter 2:1), revealing God’s ultimate control.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

• Vigilant Oversight – Elders must “be on guard” (Acts 20:31), examining teaching against Scripture.
• Doctrinal Clarity – A well-taught congregation recognizes deviations more readily.
• Loving Confrontation – When error emerges, restoration is pursued with gentleness (Galatians 6:1) yet firmness (2 John 10-11).
• Prayerful Dependence – Discernment is a Spirit-enabled task (Philippians 1:9-10).

Lessons for the Contemporary Church

Digital media, academic forums, and ecumenical dialogues can serve as conduits for modern heresies. The verb παρεισάγω reminds believers that threats often arise from sources appearing friendly or orthodox. Careful vetting of curricula, conferences, and leadership candidates helps prevent subtle compromise.

Key Cross-References for Study

Matthew 13:24-30; Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Hebrews 13:9; Jude 3-4.

Forms and Transliterations
παρεισαξουσιν παρεισάξουσιν pareisaxousin pareisáxousin
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Peter 2:1 V-FIA-3P
GRK: ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι οἵτινες παρεισάξουσιν αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας
NAS: you, who will secretly introduce destructive
KJV: who privily shall bring in damnable
INT: false teachers who will bring in stealthily heresies destructive

Strong's Greek 3919
1 Occurrence


παρεισάξουσιν — 1 Occ.

3918b
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