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ἔλεγξις

élenxis

G1649 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A demonstrating of error or guilt, reproving or exposing wrongdoing through argument, evidence, or correction; more broadly, the act of refuting, convicting, or censuring, especially in moral or ethical contexts. In literary and rhetorical usage, refers to the process or outcome of making a fault or transgression clear, often with the implication of urging amendment or correction. Semantic range includes logical refutation, public censure, and personal rebuke.

Semantic Range

demonstration of guilt, logical refutation, exposure of error, rebuke, reproof, censure, conviction, the process of making wrongdoing evident

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐλέγχω (to convict, reprove, expose, refute), itself of uncertain further origin; ἔλεγξις is a verbal noun denoting the act or process resulting from ἐλέγχω.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἔλεγξις occurs in philosophical and rhetorical contexts for logical refutation or demonstration—Aristotle employs it for the process of disproving an assertion or displaying falsity. In Hellenistic and later literary Greek (including medical and legal texts), it connotes exposure of error or improper behavior, typically leading to censure, reproof, or admonition. In the Septuagint and NT-era Greek, its occurrences are rare but maintain the sense of formal or public correction, often in a moral or religious setting. English Bible translations commonly render the term as “rebuke” or “reproof,” but the Greek term’s semantic field includes logical demonstration of error, not only admonition; it lacks the nuance of emotional harshness that sometimes attaches to “rebuke” in English. Distinguished from παρρησία (openness/boldness) or νουθεσία (admonition), ἔλεγξις focuses on confronting error through evidence or argument.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐλέγχω; refutation, i.e. reproof:--rebuke.

Root Family

ἔλεγξις (élenxis) — conviction, exposure, refutation, reproof

Root ἐλεγχ- to convict, to expose, to refute

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1649-01 ἔλεγξιν elegxin N ACC F SG rebuke a convicting refutation a convicting refutation 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1649-01 2 Peter 2:16 ἔλεγξιν elegxin N ACC F SG rebuke a convicting refutation a convicting refutation
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