paroimia denotes a saying used in speech, including teaching that is not immediately understood or is set against plain announcement.

The attested use denotes a saying: in John it characterizes speech that hearers do not understand and that is contrasted with speaking plainly, while in 2 Peter it introduces a quoted saying applied to the people under discussion.

1. A saying used in teaching or quotation · dominant

   The accusative singular occurs where Jesus speaks a saying that his hearers do not understand in John 10:6, and where the disciples say that he now says no such saying in John 16:29; the APB renders these clauses with “proverb.” In John 16:25, the dative plural occurs in speech contrasted with announcing plainly, while 2 Peter 2:22 uses the genitive singular in introducing the saying about the dog and the sow; the APB renders the clause “What the true proverb says.”

   John 10:6John 16:25John 16:292 Peter 2:22

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term as “proverb” or “proverbs” in all four verses, including a contrast with speaking “plainly” in John 16:25. These renderings confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than isolate every contribution of the term.