ἀναπείθω (anapeithō)
anapeithō
to persuade
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anapeithō means to persuade someone strongly, often with the sense of inciting or stirring them up toward a specific action. It combines the prefix ana-, suggesting intensity or upward motion, with peithō, the common root for persuasion. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 18:13, where Jewish leaders attempt to persuade the Roman proconsul Gallio to punish Paul.
Its usage here highlights a rhetorical strategy rather than simple dialogue. The accusers are not merely asking questions; they are actively trying to sway authority through compelling argumentation. While peithō can describe gentle persuasion, anapeithō carries a weightier, more urgent tone, implying that the speaker is working hard to turn another person’s mind toward their own viewpoint.
Because it occurs so rarely, its meaning is defined largely by this single context. It shows how early Christian conflicts often involved legal and rhetorical battles where leaders sought to influence judges or officials through forceful speech. The word captures the moment when religious disagreement moves from private debate into public legal pressure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anapeithō describes a forceful attempt to persuade, often with urgency or pressure. In Acts 18:13, Jewish leaders use this intense rhetoric to sway Gallio against Paul. It shows how disagreement can turn into legal pressure, where speech becomes a weapon rather than a bridge.
For your faith, this reminds us that truth does not always win through louder voices or clever arguments. Paul stands firm not because he out-argues his opponents, but because he trusts God’s protection. When you face opposition, remember that your witness relies on integrity and grace, not on winning every debate.
This word invites you to examine how you speak under pressure. Do you seek to coerce others into agreement, or do you invite them through kindness? True persuasion in the Kingdom comes from love, not force. May you find peace in knowing that God defends His own without your need to fight for Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- persuades1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναπείθει1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 18:13
saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
This verse shows the word used in a legal accusation, highlighting how persuasive language can be weaponized to influence authority figures against believers.