Lexicon
πείθω
peithō
G3982
G:V Greek

to persuade

52
Occurrences
13
Books
Greek
Language

Peitho describes persuading someone or being convinced, including settled confidence in a person or outcome.

The verb most often marks settled confidence or conviction, especially regarding God, people, or an expected outcome; it also describes efforts to influence others and people becoming convinced by what is said. The supplied verses do not require a separate lexical sense for the APB’s occasional use of “obey.”

Senses in use

  1. Holding settled confidence or conviction · dominant

    Perfect forms occur where a speaker has a settled stance: in Philippians 1:6 the APB renders the clause “being persuaded of this very thing,” concerning the completion of a good work, while in 2 Corinthians 1:9 it contrasts trusting in oneself with trusting in God. In Romans 14:14, the speaker is persuaded that nothing is unclean in itself; in Matthew 27:43, the clause concerns trust in God.

  2. Seeking to convince another · common

    Active forms describe attempts to move other people toward a response or conclusion. In Acts 13:43, Paul and Barnabas speak to their hearers and the APB renders them as seeking to continue in grace; in Acts 14:19, opponents persuade crowds before the crowd stones Paul. Acts 28:23 places the present participle with explaining, testifying, and seeking to persuade hearers about Jesus.

  3. Becoming convinced by a message or person · common

    Passive forms present people as the ones brought to conviction. In Acts 17:4, some are persuaded and join Paul and Silas; in Acts 27:11, the centurion is more persuaded by the pilot and ship-owner than by Paul. Acts 28:24 contrasts some being persuaded by what was said with others disbelieving.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously renders clauses with “persuade,” “persuaded,” “convinced,” “confident,” and “trust.” These renderings fit differing verse contexts and does not by itself establish separate lexical meanings.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture