φυσιόω (G5448) — Greek Lexicon

φυσιόω

physióō

G5448 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To puff up, to inflate, primarily in the physical sense of swelling or blowing up; figuratively, to cause someone (or oneself) to become conceited, arrogant, or overly proud. The core meaning involves the idea of being filled with air or appearing swollen, and by extension, developing an inflated sense of one's self-importance or status. In the New Testament and related Koine sources, the term is most often used metaphorically for pride, arrogance, or an exaggerated sense of self.

Semantic Range

to puff up (physically), to inflate, to swell, to become conceited, to become arrogant, to be filled with pride, to cause arrogance or pride in another

Root / Etymology

φυσιόω is derived from φύσις (nature), itself from the root φυ- (‘to blow’, ‘to produce’, ‘to grow’), and the causative suffix -όω, forming verbs of making or causing. The literal sense relates to blowing or inflating (as with bellows or lungs), while the figurative sense develops by analogy to a swollen or puffed-up state, both physical and emotional.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, the verb is rare, but the root is attested in contexts expressing physical blowing or swelling (e.g., natural growth, or inflation with air). In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in Paul’s letters (notably 1 Corinthians), φυσιόω became a figurative term for being arrogant or self-inflated—contrasted with words for genuine growth or edification (οἰκοδομέω). The term often describes the personal or factional arrogance that threatened community cohesion. English translations such as 'puff up' or 'make proud' capture the metaphor but may obscure the sense of swelling or internal inflation implied by the imagery. The metaphor distinguishes itself from other Greek words for pride (e.g., ὑπερηφανία, which connotes high arrogance or superiority toward others). φυσιόω thus conveys a sense of becoming swollen with pride or self-importance, sometimes through knowledge or status, and is primarily pejorative in New Testament contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "puff" 7 occurrences

'Puff' naturally yields the common NT idiom 'puffed up' and covers both the literal sense (inflated, swollen) and the usual figurative sense (made proud, arrogant). It is natural English, matches frequent translations, and can take the needed particle (up) in inflected forms to produce 'puff up' usages consistently.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from φύσις in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty):--puff up.

Root Family

φυσιόω (physioō) — to blow, to inflate, to swell

Root φυσ- to blow, to inflate, to swell

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5448-05`	φυσιούμενος	phusioumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	puffed up	being inflated	being puffed up	1
`G5448-04`	φυσιοῖ	phusioi	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	puffs up	he/she/it inflates	puffs up	1
`G5448-03`	πεφυσιωμένων	pephusiomenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL`	who are puffed up	of those who have been puffed up	of those who have been puffed up	1
`G5448-07`	φυσιοῦται	phusioutai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is puffed up	was being puffed up	is puffed up	1
`G5448-02`	πεφυσιωμένοι	pephusiomenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	are puffed up	having been puffed up	having been puffed up	1
`G5448-01`	ἐφυσιώθησάν	ephusiothesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	have become arrogant	they were puffed up	they were puffed up	1
`G5448-06`	φυσιοῦσθε	phusiousthe	`V PRS PASS SUBJ 2P PL`	be puffed up	you may be puffed up	you may be puffed up	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5448-06`	1 Corinthians 4:6	φυσιοῦσθε	phusiousthe	`V PRS PASS SUBJ 2P PL`	be puffed up	you may be puffed up	you may be puffed up
`G5448-01`	1 Corinthians 4:18	ἐφυσιώθησάν	ephusiothesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	have become arrogant	they were puffed up	they were puffed up
`G5448-03`	1 Corinthians 4:19	πεφυσιωμένων	pephusiomenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP GEN M PL`	who are puffed up	of those who have been puffed up	of those who have been puffed up
`G5448-02`	1 Corinthians 5:2	πεφυσιωμένοι	pephusiomenoi	`V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	are puffed up	having been puffed up	having been puffed up
`G5448-04`	1 Corinthians 8:1	φυσιοῖ	phusioi	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	puffs up	he/she/it inflates	puffs up
`G5448-07`	1 Corinthians 13:4	φυσιοῦται	phusioutai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is puffed up	was being puffed up	is puffed up
`G5448-05`	Colossians 2:18	φυσιούμενος	phusioumenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	puffed up	being inflated	being puffed up

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