δυσφημέω (dusphēmeō)
dusphēmeō
to defame
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb dysphēmeō means to speak ill of someone or to slander them. It describes the act of using harmful words to damage another person’s reputation. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.
Paul uses it to describe how outsiders view Christians. He writes that believers should be prepared to be slandered (1 Corinthians 4:13). The context suggests that early followers of Jesus faced false accusations and malicious gossip from those outside their community. This single usage highlights the social cost of faithful living, where integrity often invites criticism rather than praise.
The word is related to dysphēmos, meaning "slanderous" or "evil-speaking." Its presence in Scripture underscores a recurring biblical theme: the righteous may suffer unjust verbal attacks. Paul’s instruction here does not promise immediate vindication but calls for patience and blessing toward those who speak against them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you live with integrity, it is common to face unfair criticism. The word dysphēmeō describes this specific pain: being spoken against or slandered by others. In 1 Corinthians 4:13, Paul reminds us that early Christians were often treated as the "filth of the world." This was not a sign that God had abandoned them, but rather a reflection of how the world sometimes reacts to genuine faith.
It can be deeply hurtful when your character is misrepresented. Yet, this passage offers a gentle invitation rather than a demand for defense. Instead of retaliating or seeking immediate vindication, Paul encourages believers to respond with patience and even blessing. This approach protects your peace and reflects the grace you have received.
You are not alone in facing such challenges. Many faithful people throughout history have endured similar misunderstandings. By trusting God with your reputation, you free yourself from the need to control how others perceive you. May you find comfort in knowing that your worth is defined by Christ, not by the words of critics.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- being defamed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δυσφημούμενοι1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 4:13
Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
This verse captures the raw reality of being slandered while simultaneously modeling the response of entreaty and patience rather than retaliation.