ἐξελέγχω
exelénchō
G1827
SILEX Entry
Definition
To expose, bring to light, or demonstrate guilt or fault through argument or evidence. In various contexts, it can also mean to convict fully, show someone to be in the wrong, or decisively prove someone guilty, sometimes resulting in censure or disciplinary action. The primary sense is exposing, bringing to account, or clearly establishing wrongdoing.
Semantic Range
to expose thoroughly, to convict fully, to prove or demonstrate guilt, to show someone to be in the wrong, to bring to light, to censure, to refute completely
Root / Etymology
From ἐκ ('out of, from') and ἐλέγχω ('to expose, convict, refute'). The prefix ἐκ- intensifies the sense, indicating thoroughness or completeness in exposing or convicting.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, the root ἐλέγχω meant to test, scrutinize, or convict by argument. The prefixed form ἐξελέγχω is rare in earlier Greek but is found in later Hellenistic and Koine sources, including the Septuagint and New Testament. In these contexts, ἐξελέγχω generally emphasizes the thoroughness of the exposure or convicting action—making someone's fault unmistakably evident or bringing guilt to public attention. English translations often reduce the nuance to 'convict' or 'convince,' but these can miss the element of public exposure, demonstration, or bringing to light. The term does not in itself imply legal punishment but focuses on the act of revealing or clearly proving guilt or error. This distinguishes ἐξελέγχω from related terms such as ἐλέγχω (to expose, reprove, refute) or ἐπιτιμάω (to censure, rebuke), with ἐξελέγχω having the sense of a complete or decisive exposure or demonstration of fault. In New Testament usage, often refers to moral or ethical confrontation that brings someone's conduct or teaching unmistakably into the open, sometimes as a prelude to correction or judgment.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and ἐλέγχω; to convict fully, i.e. (by implication) to punish:--convince.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.