Pseudomai describes speaking falsely, including false claims, false accusations, and lying to others or to God.

The attested use concerns speaking falsely: speakers deny doing so when affirming their testimony, communities are told not to do so toward one another or against the truth, and the action can be directed toward God as well as people. The participial use in Matthew 5:11 places it with saying evil things falsely against Jesus’ followers.

1. Speaking falsely or making a false claim · dominant

   Present forms occur in denials of false speech: in Romans 9:1 the APB renders the clause "I speak the truth in Christ—I do not lie," and in Galatians 1:20 it renders "before God, I do not lie." The same use appears as conduct forbidden toward others in Colossians 3:9 and as false speech against the truth in James 3:14; the aorist forms in Acts 5:3 and Acts 5:4 describe Ananias as having lied in relation to the Holy Spirit and God.

   Romans 9:1Galatians 1:20Colossians 3:9James 3:14Acts 5:3Acts 5:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses "lie," "lying," or "lied" in the surrounding clauses, while Matthew 5:11 presents the participial use through the adverb "falsely." These renderings confirm the clauses’ overall presentation rather than supplying separate definitions.