Lexical Summary pareisduó: To slip in secretly, to infiltrate Original Word: παρεισδύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance creep in unawares. From para and a compound of eis and duno; to settle in alongside, i.e. Lodge stealthily -- creep in unawares. see GREEK para see GREEK eis see GREEK duno HELPS Word-studies 3921 pareisdýnō (from 3844 /pará, "from close beside" and eisdyō, "enter") – properly, enter alongside, i.e. secretly or under pretense. 3921 /pareisdýnō ("enter by stealth") refers to people who appear to be true Christians, but in reality oppose the faith. 3921 (pareisdýnō) is only used in Jude 4 of those "posing to give help." [3921 (pareisdýnō) means "to get in by the side, to slip in a side-door" (M. Vincent). This term can be spelled pareisdynō (from dynō) or pareisdyō (see J. Thayer).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and a comp. of eis and dunó Definition to settle in alongside NASB Translation crept in unnoticed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3921: παρεισδύωπαρεισδύω or παρεισδύνω: 1 aorist παρεισεδυσα (according to classical usage trans., cf. δύνω; (see below)); to enter secretly, slip in stealthily; to steal in; (A. V. creep in unawares): Jude 1:4 (here WH παρεισεδυησαν, 3 person plural 2 aorist passive (with middle or intransitive force); see their Appendix, p. 170, and cf. Buttmann, 56 (49); Veitch, under the word δύω, at the end); cf. the expressions παρεισδυσιν πλάνης ποιεῖν, the Epistle of Barnabas 2, 10 [ET]; ἔχειν, ibid. 4, 9 [ET]. (Hippocrates, Herodian, 1, 6, 2; 7, 9, 18 (8 edition, Bekker; Philo de spec. legg. § 15); Plutarch, Galen, others.) Topical Lexicon Domain of Meaning Strong’s Greek 3921 depicts a stealthy entrance into a community, the taking of a place that was neither invited nor observed. In Jude 1:4 the verb portrays false teachers slipping into the fellowship undetected, indicating secrecy, craft, and intent to alter the congregation from within. Canonical Context Jude writes as one who “was compelled to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3), and immediately exposes the danger: “For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed” (Jude 1:4). The single use of 3921 stands at the hinge between the epistle’s call to vigilance and its catalog of judgment on error. Everything that follows—moral license, denial of Christ, examples of apostate angels, Sodom and Gomorrah, Cain, Balaam, Korah—unfolds as evidence of what clandestine entrance can unleash when unchallenged. Theological Themes 1. Spiritual Subterfuge. 3921 underscores that the threat to the church is often internal, not overt persecution but quiet distortion (Matthew 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1). Historical Background First-century congregations faced traveling teachers who blended early Gnostic ideas, antinomian practice, or Jewish legalism with apostolic preaching. Comparable infiltration troubled the churches of Galatia: “false brothers were brought in secretly” (Galatians 2:4). By the late first century, itinerant charlatans could exploit hospitality networks, prompting Jude and John (3 John 1:9-10) to set tests for authentic teaching. Related Biblical Illustrations • Matthew 13:25 – Weeds sown among wheat while men sleep. All echo the stealth captured by 3921. Pastoral Significance 1. Discernment. Leaders must cultivate theological clarity so that undercover error cannot root. Application for Contemporary Ministry • Review teaching platforms—conferences, online content, small-group curricula—for unvetted voices. Summary Strong’s 3921 encapsulates the covert arrival of influences that oppose the gospel. Jude’s lone use of the verb becomes a clarion call across the ages: guard the entrusted faith, for threats usually enter softly before they speak loudly. Forms and Transliterations παρεισεδυησαν παρεισεδύησαν παρεισέδυσαν pareisedusan pareisedysan pareisédysanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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