Lexical Summary periistémi: To stand around, to avoid, to shun, to turn away from Original Word: περιίστημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance avoid, shun, stand byFrom peri and histemi; to stand all around, i.e. (near) to be a bystander, or (aloof) to keep away from -- avoid, shun, stand by (round about). see GREEK peri see GREEK histemi HELPS Word-studies 4026 periístēmi (from 4012 /perí, "encompassing" and 2476 /hístēmi, "stand") – properly, stand all-around; "originally, 'to place round; to stand round.' It is in the Greek middle voice which means 'to turn oneself about,' as for the purpose of avoiding something: hence, 'avoid, shun' " (WS, 1059). In 2 Tim 2:16 and Tit 3:9, 4026 /periístēmi ("block out") means to position oneself in a way that completely avoids contact. [4026 (periístēmi) in 2 Tim 2:16 and Tit 3:9 is in the Greek middle voice ("to turn one's self about"). That is, to personally avoid (shun) by "standing far away from" (keeping a wide berth).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and histémi Definition to stand around, turn around (to avoid) NASB Translation avoid (2), standing around (1), stood around (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4026: περιΐστημιπεριΐστημι: 2 aorist περιεστην; perfect participle περιεστώς; present middle imperative 2 person singular περιΐστασο (on which form see Winers Grammar, § 14, 1 e.; (Buttmann, 47 (40), who both call it passive (but see Veitch, p. 340))); 1. in the present, imperfect, future, 1 aorist, active, to place around (one). 2. in the perfect, pluperfect, 2 aorist active, and the tenses of the middle, to stand around: John 11:42; Acts 25:7 (in L T Tr WH with an accusative; cf. Winers Grammar, § 52, 4, 12). Middle to turn oneself about namely, for the purpose of avoiding something, hence, to avoid, shun (Josephus, Antiquities 4, 6, 12; 10, 10, 4; b. j. 2, 8, 6; Antoninus 3,4; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 4, 59; Athen. 15, p. 675 e.; (Diogenes Laërtius 9, 14; Jamblichus, vit. Pythagoras 31 (p. 392, Kiessl. edition); Sextus Empiricus; joined with φεύγειν, Josephus, Antiquities 1, 1, 4; with ἐκτρέπεσθαι, Lucian, Hermot. § 86; Hesychius περιΐστασο. Ἀποφευγε, ἀνατρεπε; (cf. furher, D'Orville's Chariton, Reiske edition, p. 282); this use of the verb is censured by Lucian, soloec. 5): in the N. T. so with an accusative of the thing (cf. Winer's Grammar, the passage cited), 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 3:9. Strong’s Greek 4026 expresses either a physical “standing around” a person or, figuratively, an intentional turning away or avoiding something. Both senses emerge in its four New Testament occurrences, providing a small but instructive window into apostolic history, Christ’s public ministry, and pastoral exhortation. Narrative Usage: Crowds That Encircle In John 11:42 the Lord prays at Lazarus’s tomb “on account of the people standing around,” highlighting the public nature of the forthcoming miracle. The verb pictures onlookers gathered in expectation, underscoring Jesus’ deliberate demonstration that He acts in unity with the Father. Acts 25:7 similarly depicts “the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem, standing around” Paul before Festus. Here the term conveys hostile pressure—an accusing circle seeking conviction without evidence. These two scenes bookend a contrast: the Savior surrounded by witnesses to life-giving power, and the apostle encircled by opponents yet confident in divine vindication. Pastoral Usage: Turning Away from Empty Talk Paul employs the verb in the middle voice to Timothy and Titus, shifting from spatial imagery to moral action. The imperatives mark a decisive stance: ministry must not merely ignore but actively steer clear of speech that corrodes godliness or divides the flock. The verb’s preposition peri- (“around”) suggests moving out of the orbit of corrupting influences—refusing even to stand near them. Historical and Cultural Background First-century rhetorical culture prized clever disputation, whether among Greek sophists or within rabbinic schools. In church settings, such debates quickly degenerated into speculative myths (1 Timothy 1:4) or partisan wrangling. By urging leaders to “turn away” from such talk, Paul safeguards apostolic doctrine against the infiltration of popular but hollow philosophies (Colossians 2:8). The same concern surfaces at Crete, where Titus faces both Jewish legalism and local myth-making. Theological Emphasis 1. Holiness of Speech: Words shape belief and behavior (James 3:1-12). Avoiding profane chatter protects the sanctity of the community’s confession. Ministry Application • Discernment in Teaching: Elders and teachers must recognize when discussion edifies and when it merely entertains or inflames. Summary Strong’s 4026 captures both the crowd’s physical encirclement and the disciple’s conscious avoidance. Whether portraying enemies surrounding Paul or pastors steering clear of godless chatter, the verb invites the church to stand with Christ and step away from anything that undermines His truth. Englishman's Concordance John 11:42 V-RPA-AMSGRK: ὄχλον τὸν περιεστῶτα εἶπον ἵνα NAS: of the people standing around I said KJV: which stand by I said INT: crowd who stand around I said [it] that Acts 25:7 V-AIA-3P 2 Timothy 2:16 V-PMM-2S Titus 3:9 V-PMM-2S Strong's Greek 4026 |
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