πειθός (peithos)
peithos
persuasive
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective peithos means persuasive or convincing. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 2:4. Paul uses it to describe his own speech, noting that he did not rely on eloquent words or human wisdom to present the gospel.
This word is closely related to the verb peithō, which means to persuade or trust. While the verb focuses on the action of convincing someone, the adjective describes the quality of the message itself. It suggests that the content was compelling and credible, even without rhetorical flair.
The rarity of this term makes its single occurrence significant. By choosing peithos, Paul emphasizes that the power of his message came from the Holy Spirit, not from his own skill. This stands in contrast to the Greek cultural value placed on sophisticated public speaking. The word highlights a different kind of authority—one rooted in truth rather than technique.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Paul’s choice to describe his message as persuasive without relying on rhetorical skill reminds us that truth carries its own weight. In a culture that often values style over substance, this word encourages believers to trust the power of the gospel itself rather than their own ability to sell it.
Your faith does not depend on perfect arguments or polished delivery. The Holy Spirit works through simple, honest communication. When you share what God has done for you, rely on that spiritual power instead of worrying about your performance or eloquence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- persuasive1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πειθοῖς1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 2:4
My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
Paul uses this term to explicitly contrast his reliance on the Spirit’s power against human wisdom and rhetorical flair.