Lexical Summary peismoné: Persuasion, obstinacy Original Word: πεισμονή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance persuasion. From a presumed derivative of peitho; persuadableness, i.e. Credulity -- persuasion. see GREEK peitho HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3988 peismonḗ (a feminine noun derived from 3982 /peíthō, "persuade") – used only of self-produced persuasion (Gal 5:8). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peithó Definition persuasion NASB Translation persuasion (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3988: πεισμονήπεισμονή, πεισμονης, ἡ (πείθω, which see; like πλησμονή), persuasion: in an active sense (yet cf. Lightfoot on Gal. as below) and contextually, treacherous or deceptive persuasion, Galatians 5:8 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 68, 1 at the end). (Found besides in Ignat. ad Rom. 3, 3 [ET] longer recens.; Justin Martyr, Apology 1, 53 at the beginning; (Irenaeus 4, 33, 7); Epiphanius 30, 21; Chrysostom on 1 Thess. 1:3; Apollonius Dyscolus, syntax, p. 195, 10 (299, 17); Eustathius on Homer, Iliad a., p. 21, 46, verse 22; 99, 45, verse 442; i, p. 637, 5, verse 131; and Odyssey, chapter, p. 185, 22, verse 285.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 3988, πεισμονή (peismonē), designates an exertion of influence that seeks to win someone over—an insistence that carries a sense of moral or doctrinal pressure. While often rendered “persuasion,” in Galatians 5:8 it bears a negative nuance: an appeal that leads believers away from the gospel Paul preached. Biblical Context in Galatians Galatians 5 exposes the danger of Judaizing teachers who insisted that Gentile believers adopt circumcision and the Mosaic code. Paul contrasts the liberty of the Spirit with the bondage of legalism. Into this argument he inserts the warning: “This persuasion does not come from the One who calls you” (Galatians 5:8). 1. Source: it is alien to “the One who calls,” a reference to God through Christ. Historical Background Jewish Christians from Jerusalem likely pressured Galatian converts soon after Paul’s departure (Acts 15:1-5). Their “persuasion” rested on centuries of covenantal identity markers, yet it contradicted the apostolic decree of Acts 15:28-29. The singular use of πεισμονή may reflect the sharp shock of this intrusion into the otherwise Gentile setting of Galatia, underscoring the novelty and danger of such teaching. Theological Significance 1. Authority of the Gospel: πεισμονή exposes counterfeit authority. Any teaching that eclipses grace usurps divine prerogative. Related Concepts in Scripture • “Another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9) – similarly condemned for its origin outside divine revelation. Practical Ministry Implications • Discernment: Leaders must weigh every new emphasis by the gospel’s standard, not popularity. Exhortations for the Church • Test all spirits (1 John 4:1). Hymnody and Devotional Use Hymns such as “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” echo Paul’s confidence in Christ alone, countering any πεισμονή toward works righteousness. Personal devotion can meditate on Galatians 5:8-9, asking the Spirit to reveal subtle contemporary persuasions that threaten gospel purity. Summary Πεισμονή in Galatians 5:8 epitomizes any influence—however compelling—that deviates from grace. Believers, equipped by Scripture and the Spirit, are called to resist such persuasion and remain steadfast in the liberty secured by Christ. Forms and Transliterations πεισμονη πεισμονή πεισμονὴ peismone peismonē peismonḕLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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