ψεύδομαι (pseudomai)
pseudomai
to lie
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb pseudomai describes the act of lying, specifically speaking a deliberate falsehood intended to deceive. Unlike terms that might imply accidental error or simple untruthfulness, this word carries the weight of intentional deception. It appears twelve times in the New Testament, with notable occurrences in Acts, Romans, and Revelation.
Its usage often highlights the gravity of dishonesty within the community of believers. In Acts 5:3, Peter confronts Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit, using this verb to underscore the seriousness of deceiving God through human agents. Similarly, in Romans 9:1 and Galatians 1:20, Paul employs it to affirm his own truthfulness, swearing by Christ that he is not lying, which serves as a rhetorical anchor for his apostolic authority.
The word functions as the middle voice of a primary verb, emphasizing the personal involvement of the speaker in the deceit. It is frequently paired with prepositions indicating the target of the lie, such as "to" or "against" someone. This grammatical structure reinforces that lying is not merely an abstract concept but a relational breach, damaging trust between people and, ultimately, between humanity and God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pseudomai describes a deliberate act of deception, where someone speaks a known falsehood to mislead others. In the New Testament, it is used with serious weight, highlighting that lying is not just a minor social slip but a breach of trust that damages relationships and offends God. When Peter confronted Ananias in Acts 5, he did not merely say Ananias made an error; he identified a heart filled with Satan’s influence to lie to the Holy Spirit. This shows that dishonesty has spiritual consequences that extend beyond human judgment.
Conversely, the Apostle Paul frequently used this word to affirm his own integrity, swearing before God that he was not lying. For believers today, this dual usage offers a clear path: we are called to reject deception in our interactions with others and to anchor our lives in truth. When we choose honesty, even when it is difficult, we reflect the character of Christ, who is the ultimate source of truth.
Understanding the gravity of pseudomai encourages us to examine our own speech. It invites us to live with transparency, knowing that God sees our hearts and values integrity over convenience. This commitment to truth strengthens our witness and deepens our fellowship with other believers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do lie2×
- you have lied1×
- we lie1×
- to lie to1×
- to lie1×
- they lie —1×
- lying1×
- I lie.1×
- I do lie —1×
- I am lying.1×
- I am lying,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ψεύδομαι,2×
- ψεύδεσθε2×
- ἐψεύσω1×
- ψεύσασθαί1×
- ψεύσασθαι1×
- ψεύδονται,1×
- ψεύδομαι.¶1×
- ψεύδομαι.1×
- ψευδόμενοι1×
- ψευδόμεθα1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 5:3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Peter uses this verb to identify the spiritual source of Ananias's deceit, linking the lie directly to Satan’s influence.
-
Romans 9:1
I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit
Paul invokes this word in a negative oath to underscore the absolute seriousness of his message to the Romans.
-
Hebrews 6:18
that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.
This verse highlights God’s immutable nature by stating it is impossible for Him to lie, providing believers with solid ground for hope.
-
Colossians 3:9
Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,
Paul commands believers to stop lying to one another as part of putting off the old self and living in Christ.