μαρτύρομαι (marturomai)
marturomai
to testify
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb marturomai describes a solemn act of calling someone to witness what is being said. It goes beyond simple testimony, carrying the weight of an oath or a serious affirmation. In the New Testament, it appears in only four verses, primarily in Paul’s letters and Acts, where it signals that the speaker is making a grave declaration before God or an audience.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context: it can mean to protest or affirm something with strong conviction, as when Paul declares his innocence before the church in Acts 20:26. Alternatively, it functions as a solemn adjuration or urgent plea, such as when Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians 4:17 to live in a way that honors their calling. The word implies that the truth being spoken is so important that it demands a witness.
This term highlights the seriousness with which early Christians viewed their message. It was not casual talk but a witnessed commitment. By using marturomai, biblical authors emphasize that their words are backed by divine authority and personal integrity, urging listeners to take them seriously as those who stand accountable for what they proclaim.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word marturomai carries a heavy weight, far beyond casual speech. It signals a solemn act of calling someone to witness what is being said, often with the gravity of an oath. When Paul uses it, he is not merely sharing an opinion; he is making a grave declaration before God or an audience. This reminds us that our words carry responsibility and that truth demands a witness.
In Ephesians 4:17, this term appears as a solemn adjuration, urging believers to live in a way that honors their calling. It implies that the message being shared is so vital it requires serious commitment. We are invited to view our own confessions and promises with similar integrity, knowing that our words stand as a testament to our character and faith.
This concept encourages us to speak with clarity and conviction. It is not about loudness, but about the sincerity behind the statement. By recognizing the seriousness of testimony, we can approach our relationships and our witness to others with greater care and respect for the truth we hold dear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I testify3×
- bearing witness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μαρτύρομαι3×
- μαρτυρόμενος1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
Paul uses this solemn adjuration to urgently command believers to abandon futile living, highlighting the gravity of their new identity in Christ.
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Acts 20:26
Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
Here the verb functions as a formal declaration of innocence regarding spiritual accountability, showing its use in establishing personal integrity before a community.
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Galatians 5:3
Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Paul employs this strong affirmation to underscore the serious theological consequence of mixing law and grace, treating the matter with utmost urgency.