διακρίνω (diakrinō)
diakrinō
to judge/doubt
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diakrinō carries the dual sense of distinguishing between things and doubting within oneself. In its active voice, it means to separate or discern, as when Peter acts on a vision without hesitation (Acts 10:20), or when believers are urged to test their spiritual experiences carefully (1 Corinthians 14:29). This usage highlights a clear, objective judgment that sets one thing apart from another.
In the middle and passive voices, the word shifts inward to describe inner conflict. It portrays a mind divided by uncertainty, such as when Jesus notes that doubt hinders prayer (Mark 11:23) or when James warns against being double-minded (James 1:6). Here, the action is not about analyzing external facts but wrestling with internal conviction, where hesitation becomes a barrier to faith.
Its etymology combines dia ("through") and krinō ("to judge"), suggesting a thorough examination. Translators often render this as "doubt" in contexts of indecision or "discern" when referring to spiritual perception. The word reminds readers that true clarity requires resolving internal conflicts before making external judgments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word captures the tension between clear judgment and inner hesitation. When used outwardly, it asks us to discern truth from error, as when believers are urged to test prophetic messages carefully. This requires spiritual maturity, recognizing that clarity comes from God rather than our own insight.
Internally, however, the word describes the paralysis of doubt. Jesus warns that a divided heart hinders prayer, comparing such uncertainty to waves tossed by the wind. True faith does not ignore reality but rests securely in God’s character, allowing us to act without being paralyzed by fear or indecision.
We are invited to seek this clarity through prayer, asking for a heart that trusts fully. When we face decisions or spiritual confusion, we can look to Christ, who offers peace that steadies the soul against the winds of uncertainty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- doubting2×
- were discriminated1×
- were contending1×
- we were judging,1×
- to discern,1×
- to decide1×
- should discern;1×
- shall doubt,1×
- may doubt1×
- makes different?1×
- he did waver1×
- having discriminated.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διακρινόμενος3×
- διέκρινεν1×
- διεκρίνοντο1×
- διεκρίνομεν,1×
- διεκρίθητε1×
- διεκρίθη1×
- διακρῖναι1×
- διακρίνων1×
- διακρίνειν,1×
- διακρίνει;1×
- διακρίναντα.1×
- διακρινόμενος·1×
Key Verses
-
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
This verse uses the word to describe the instability of a doubter, comparing their mind to a wave driven by the wind.
-
Acts 10:20
But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
Peter is told to go with the messengers without doubting, showing that obedience requires immediate trust in God's direction.
-
I Corinthians 14:29
Let two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern.
Here the word means to discern or judge carefully, urging the church to evaluate prophetic words rather than accepting them blindly.
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Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.
Paul explains that acting against one's conscience is sin because it stems from a lack of faith and inner conviction.