διό (dio)
dio
therefore
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 52 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The conjunction dioti serves as a logical bridge in the New Testament, meaning "therefore," "wherefore," or "on account of which." It signals that what follows is a conclusion drawn from previous statements. The word combines the preposition dia ("through") with the relative pronoun ho ("which"), literally translating to "through which thing" or "because of this reason." This etymology highlights its function as a connector that points back to established facts or arguments.
With fifty-three occurrences, dioti appears frequently in diverse contexts. Paul uses it to draw theological conclusions, such as linking Christ’s exaltation to the universal acknowledgment of His Lordship in Philippians 2:9. In Acts, Peter employs it to justify his actions based on prior events, like in Acts 15:19 where he concludes a discussion about Gentile believers. The sources also note its use in Luke 7:7 and Romans 1:24, showing its versatility in both narrative and epistolary literature.
Translators typically render dioti as "therefore" or "for this reason," though some instances are translated as "wherefore" to preserve the formal tone. The word often introduces a practical application of a doctrinal truth, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:13 where Paul connects his faith to his speaking. Its consistent presence across Acts, the Pauline epistles, and Hebrews underscores its role in guiding readers through complex biblical reasoning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dio acts as a logical bridge in Scripture, connecting what God has done to how we should respond. It translates as "therefore," signaling that the following statement is a conclusion drawn from established truth. This simple conjunction reminds us that Christian living is not arbitrary but rooted in the reality of who God is and what He has accomplished.
When you encounter this word, it invites you to pause and consider the foundation of the instruction or promise that follows. For instance, Paul uses it to link Christ’s exaltation with our confession of His Lordship (1 Corinthians 12:3). It grounds your faith in history and divine action rather than abstract ideas.
This connection offers stability. Knowing that your calling rests on God's prior work allows you to move forward with confidence. The word encourages a life where belief naturally leads to action, anchored in the certainty of God's promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 52 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Therefore42×
- therefore5×
- Therefore,2×
- [14] Therefore1×
- [10] Therefore1×
- So then,1×
- For1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διὸ34×
- Διὸ16×
- Διό,2×
- διό,1×
Key Verses
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Romans 15:7
Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
Paul uses it to ground the command to accept one another in the prior fact that Christ accepted us.
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II Corinthians 4:13
But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak,
It links the internal reality of faith with the external act of speaking, showing belief produces witness.
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I Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.
It establishes the Holy Spirit as the necessary source for confessing Jesus as Lord, distinguishing true faith from mere speech.
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Acts 15:19
Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
Peter uses it to draw a practical conclusion about Gentile believers based on God's prior work among them.