παραινέω
parainéō
G3867 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To give advice or counsel, often to urge a particular course of action; to exhort or admonish. In different contexts, it can refer to recommending, warning, or encouraging someone with guidance, especially regarding conduct or decisions. While the primary meaning is advising or urging, it sometimes carries a nuance of gentle persuasion or warning against a course of action.
Semantic Range
to advise, to recommend, to exhort, to admonish, to urge, to warn, to encourage
Root / Etymology
παραινέω is a compound verb, formed from the preposition παρά (beside, near) and αἰνέω (to praise, commend). The original sense is to 'speak beside/praise beside,' which developed into the sense of advising or urging by way of commendation or suggestion. No Semitic etymology; purely Greek formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, παραινέω was used mainly for giving advice or warning, especially in public or formal settings, such as council meetings or speeches. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it still held the basic sense of advising, counseling, or exhorting, as seen in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 27:9–22, where Paul 'advises' or 'warns' others about the dangers ahead). Septuagint usage is rare but similar in sense. While English translations may use 'admonish,' 'exhort,' or 'advise,' the Greek term emphasizes the aspect of earnest or urgent counsel, often on practical or moral matters, not limited to warning but including positive encouragement. It differs from παρακαλέω, which can include comfort, entreaty, and invitation, whereas παραινέω is more strictly advice or recommendation, typically with a note of persuasion or urging. No theological or cultic sense is inherent in the term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from παρά and αἰνέω; to mispraise, i.e. recommend or advise (a different course):--admonish, exhort.
Root Family
παραινέω (paraineō) — to praise, to commend, to advise
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3867-02 |
παρῄνει | parenei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
admonished | he was urging | 1 |
G3867-01 |
παραινῶ | paraino | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I exhort | I urge | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3867-02 |
Acts 27:9 | παρῄνει | parenei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
admonished | he was urging |
G3867-01 |
Acts 27:22 | παραινῶ | paraino | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I exhort | I urge |