3920. pareisaktos

Lexical Summary

pareisaktos: Brought in secretly, introduced surreptitiously

Original Word: παρείσακτος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: pareisaktos
Pronunciation: pä-rā-säk-tos'
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ice'-ak-tos)
KJV: unawares brought in
NASB: secretly brought, sneaked
Word Origin: [from G3919 (παρεισάγω - secretly introduce)]

1. smuggled in

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

smuggled in, unawares brought in.

From pareisago; smuggled in: unawares brought in.

see GREEK pareisago

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3920 pareísaktos (an adjective, derived from 3919 /pareiságō, "enter by stealth") – what is "smuggled in" by subterfuge and deceit – literally, "introduced (imported) from close beside" (Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pareisagó
Definition
brought in secretly
NASB Translation
secretly brought (1), sneaked (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3920: παρείσακτος

παρείσακτος, παρεισακτον (παρεισάγω), secretly or surreptitiously brought in; (A. V. privily brought in); one who has stolen in (Vulg.subintroductus): Galatians 2:4; cf. C. F. A. Fritzsche in Fritzschiorum opuscc., p. 181f.

Topical Lexicon

Occurrence in the New Testament

Galatians 2:4—“This issue arose because some false brothers were secretly brought in to spy out our freedom in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us.”

Historical Context and Setting

The one appearance of παρεισάκτους (Strong’s 3920) occurs during Paul’s private meeting with the leaders in Jerusalem, a gathering most naturally linked to the Acts 15 Council. Certain individuals had entered the fellowship unnoticed, insisting that Gentile converts submit to circumcision and the full Mosaic code. Their covert arrival threatened to fracture the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers and to undermine the core proclamation that “a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).

Theological Weight

1. Gospel Freedom Preserved
• Paul identifies the heart of the threat: “to enslave us.” Legalistic requirements strike at the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. By exposing and resisting the infiltrators, Paul protects the Gospel of grace from additions that would rob believers of joy and assurance.
2. Apostolic Integrity Affirmed
• The term underscores Paul’s insistence that the apostles in Jerusalem were not the origin of this legalism. False brethren came “alongside” authentic leadership, masquerading as insiders. Scripture thus vindicates the apostolic message’s consistency across geographic and ethnic lines.

Broader Biblical Pattern of Unauthorized Infiltration

Galatians 2:4 stands within a wider canonical concern:
• Old Testament analogs—Korah’s rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16); Tobiah’s illicit storeroom in the temple courts (Nehemiah 13:4-9).
• New Testament parallels—“There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1); “Certain men have crept in unnoticed… ungodly ones who pervert the grace of our God” (Jude 4).

The same spiritual dynamic appears: entry without authorization, teaching without divine commission, and the subversion of God-given freedom.

Pastoral Vigilance and Church Discipline

1. Discernment
• Leaders must test doctrines and examine credentials (1 John 4:1). Paul’s model shows that even a minority report can distort congregational life if left unchallenged.
2. Courageous Confrontation
• “We did not yield to them for a moment” (Galatians 2:5). Resistance may involve public clarification (Galatians 2:11-14) and formal decisions (Acts 15:23-29).
3. Protection of the Weak
• False requirements often burden new or immature believers. Shepherds protect freedom so that growth occurs in grace rather than fear.

Missionary Implications

Paul’s Gentile commission (Galatians 2:9) was at stake. Had circumcision become a prerequisite, the Gospel would have been culturally bound to Judaism, hampering worldwide evangelization. By exposing the παρεισάκτους, Scripture demonstrates how safeguarding doctrinal purity actually accelerates mission.

Contemporary Application

• Guard the Gospel—Churches and ministries must compare every teaching with the apostolic word preserved in Scripture.
• Foster Transparency—Hidden agendas thrive in secrecy; open accountability among elders and members thwarts modern counterparts to the “false brothers.”
• Celebrate Freedom—Believers are called to express gratitude and obedience born of liberty, not compulsion (Galatians 5:1).

Conclusion

The solitary use of Strong’s 3920 provides a vivid snapshot of how stealthy influences can threaten the church. Scripture records the episode to urge vigilance, preserve the unmerited grace of the Gospel, and embolden believers to uphold the liberty secured by Christ for every generation.

Forms and Transliterations

παρεισακτους παρεισάκτους pareisaktous pareisáktous

Englishman's Concordance

Galatians 2:4 Adj-AMP
GRK: δὲ τοὺς παρεισάκτους ψευδαδέλφους οἵτινες
NAS: of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy
KJV: false brethren unawares brought in, who
INT: moreover the brought in secretly false brothers who

Strong's Greek 3920
1 Occurrence

παρεισάκτους — 1 Occ.