Lexical Summary pléktés: Violent person, bully, striker Original Word: πλήκτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bully, striker. From plesso; a smiter, i.e. Pugnacious (quarrelsome) -- striker. see GREEK plesso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pléssó Definition a striker NASB Translation pugnacious (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4131: πλήκτηςπλήκτης, πληκτου, ὁ (πλήσσω) (Vulg.percussor), (A. V. striker), bruiser, ready with a blow; a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person: 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7. (Plutarch, Marcell. 1; Pyrrh. 30; Crass. 9; Fab. 19; (Diogenes Laërtius 6, 38; others.) Topical Lexicon Scope of the TermThe Greek adjective πλήκτης (plēktēs, Strong’s 4131) portrays a man who settles conflicts with his fists or by other forms of intimidation. It carries the picture of a “striker,” “brawler,” or person given to violent outbursts. While the word can describe any quarrelsome pugilist, the New Testament narrows its application to the character required of church overseers. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7 list πλήκτην among disqualifying vices for those who would shepherd God’s people. In both contexts it stands between warnings against drunkenness and exhortations to gentleness, highlighting the link between loss of self-control and violent behavior. • 1 Timothy 3:3: “not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.” • Titus 1:7: “As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.” Historical Background Greco-Roman society tolerated, and at times celebrated, personal violence. Gladiatorial games, public floggings, and private brawls were common entertainment. Philosophers might praise “meekness,” yet everyday life for household heads, soldiers, and civic officials assumed the right to strike. Into this world the gospel introduced a radically different ethic: the spiritual leader must model restraint even under provocation. Thus πλήκτης becomes a boundary marker distinguishing the church from its culture. Theological and Ethical Significance 1. Exemplifies Spirit-produced gentleness. Galatians 5:23 lists “gentleness” among the fruit of the Spirit. The absence of πλήκτης is the negative side of that same virtue. 2. Protects the flock. Shepherd imagery underlies pastoral leadership (1 Peter 5:2-3). A striker’s hands, meant to guide and heal, would instead wound the sheep. 3. Upholds the gospel’s credibility. Paul warns that leaders must have “a good reputation with outsiders” (1 Timothy 3:7). Public knowledge of an elder’s violent temper would bring reproach on Christ’s name. 4. Models Christ’s own demeanor. Isaiah’s Servant prophecy—“He will not quarrel or cry out” (Matthew 12:19)—finds fulfillment in Jesus, who “when He was abused, He did not return abuse” (1 Peter 2:23). Pastors are called to imitate that path. Pastoral Application • Screening of leaders. Search committees should look beyond doctrinal orthodoxy to patterns of anger, intimidation, or domestic violence. A single lapse may require temporary removal; a settled reputation as a striker disqualifies. • Cultivating gentleness. Anger management courses and accountability relationships can serve as means of grace, but lasting change stems from walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). • Correcting with meekness. Even disciplinary encounters demand restraint: “A servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone” (2 Timothy 2:24). Practical Contrasts Not a striker Striker Relation to Other Biblical Concepts • Temperance (self-control) – Proverbs 16:32; 1 Corinthians 9:25 Summary Strong’s 4131, πλήκτης, sets an unmistakable prohibition: no man who habitually uses violence or intimidation may hold pastoral authority. The absence of such behavior is not merely a social courtesy; it is a gospel imperative rooted in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the witness of the Spirit-filled church. Forms and Transliterations επλημμέλησα επλημμελήσαμεν επλημμέλησαν επλημμελήσατε επλημμέλησε επλημμέλησεν πληκτην πλήκτην πλημέλησιν πλημμελεία πλημμέλεια πλημμέλειαι πλημμέλειαί πλημμελείαις πλημμέλειαν πλημμελείας πλημμέλημα πλημμελήσαι πλημμελήσεως πλημμελήση πλημμελήσουσι πλημμελήσωσι plekten plēktēn plḗkten plḗktēnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 3:3 N-AMSGRK: πάροινον μὴ πλήκτην ἀλλὰ ἐπιεικῆ NAS: or pugnacious, but gentle, KJV: no striker, not INT: given to wine not a striker but gentle Titus 1:7 N-AMS |
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