Lexical Summary apseudés: True, not lying, truthful Original Word: ἀψευδής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that cannot lie. From a (as a negative particle) and pseudos; veracious -- that cannot lie. see GREEK a see GREEK pseudos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and pseudés Definition free from falsehood NASB Translation who cannot lie (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 893: ἀψευδήςἀψευδής, ἀψευδες (ψεῦδος), without lie, truthful: Titus 1:2. (In Greek writings from Hesiod theog. 233 down.) Topical Lexicon Word Overview The adjective ἀψευδής highlights absolute truthfulness—total freedom from deceit or falsehood. Paul employs the term once, in Titus 1:2, to describe God Himself. Its rarity in the New Testament underscores its precision: it is reserved for the One whose nature is unalloyed truth. Biblical Usage in Titus 1:2 “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2). Paul grounds the believer’s hope of eternal life in the character of God. Because God is ἀψευδής, every promise of salvation is irrevocably secure. The attribute is not merely about what God does (He speaks truth); it is about what God is (He is Truth). Theological Significance: God’s Immutable Truthfulness 1. Confirmation of Divine Integrity: The same concept appears in Hebrews 6:18—“it is impossible for God to lie”. Together, these verses establish truthfulness as an essential, immutable attribute of God, alongside holiness and love. Old Covenant Foundations of Divine Veracity The Hebrew concept of אֱמֶת (ʾemet, “truth” or “faithfulness”) pervades the Old Testament. Psalm 31:5 calls God the “God of truth,” and Isaiah 65:16 names Him “the God of truth.” Paul’s choice of ἀψευδής harmonizes seamlessly with this rich backdrop, reinforcing continuity between the Testaments. Christological Perspective Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Revelation 3:14 refers to Him as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness.” The Son embodies the Father’s ἀψευδής nature, making divine truth visible in human flesh. Consequently, the Gospel narratives show no contradiction or error in Christ’s words or works, validating His role as the definitive revelation of God’s truth. Implications for Apostolic Teaching and Church Leadership Paul’s description of God as ἀψευδής precedes his qualifications for elders (Titus 1:6-9), which include holding “to the trustworthy word” (verse 9). Church leaders are to mirror the truthfulness of God in doctrine and lifestyle, guarding the flock against “empty talkers and deceivers” (Titus 1:10). The attribute thus functions as the ethical standard for pastoral ministry. Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Preaching: Sermons must faithfully expound Scripture without distortion, reflecting the God who cannot lie. Witness in Early Church Writings Church fathers drew heavily on Titus 1:2 to combat heresies. Irenaeus (Against Heresies 3.4.2) cited God’s inability to lie as evidence of the reliability of the apostolic preaching. Augustine appealed to the same truth when defending the consistency of the four Gospels (Harmony of the Gospels 1.7). Contemporary Relevance In an age where truth is often relativized, ἀψευδής stands as a clarion call to objective, divine reality. Christian apologetics, ethics, and mission work all rest on the unshakable fact that the God who speaks in Scripture “cannot lie.” To embrace that truth is to possess a hope that stretches “before time began” and reaches into eternity. Forms and Transliterations αψευδης αψευδής ἀψευδὴς apseudes apseudēs apseudḕsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |