Greek word · G1226

διαβεβαιόω

diabebaioō

to insist

To affirm emphatically, assert confidently, insist on, maintain firmly. It is built on bebaios, "firm, solid," with the intensifying prefix dia-, "thoroughly."

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δια-βεβαιόομαι, -οῦμαι

to affirm confidently: Titus 3:8; before περί, 1 Timothy 1:7 (Cremer, 140).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Titus 3:8

Range of meaning

To affirm emphatically, assert confidently, insist on, maintain firmly. It is built on bebaios, "firm, solid," with the intensifying prefix dia-, "thoroughly."

Against the English

"Emphasize" (BSB) and "stress" (NIV) are fair but a little soft. "Insist on" (ESV, NLT) and "speak confidently" (NASB) capture its firmness better. KJV's "affirm constantly" rightly brings out the ongoing present tense.

Used elsewhere in the period

The verb is common in Hellenistic prose (for example Polybius, Plutarch, Philo) for confident assertion. The only other New Testament use is 1 Tim 1:7, where would-be law teachers "confidently assert" what they do not understand.

From the study of 1 Timothy 1:7

Range of meaning

To speak confidently, insist, maintain firmly, affirm emphatically. It is built on bebaios, 'firm, secure', with the prefix dia- adding intensity ('thoroughly, all the way').

Against the English

KJV says 'whereof they affirm' and WEB 'strongly affirm'. BSB has 'so confidently assert' and ESV 'make confident assertions'. YLT's 'asseverate' is an accurate but obscure English word for the same thing. The modern renderings with 'confident' or 'confidently' capture the tone best.

How it drifted

KJV's 'affirm' meant 'declare firmly'. Today 'affirm' often means to validate or encourage a person. Modern readers can miss that the word is about loud certainty in making claims.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found in classical and Hellenistic Greek (e.g., Demosthenes, Polybius, Plutarch, Philo) for firm assertion. Its only other New Testament use is Titus 3:8, where Paul tells Titus to 'insist on these things' so that believers devote themselves to good works. There it is positive.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 1:7 διαβεβαιοῦνται.¶ they confidently assert.

    They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

    Here: To state something firmly, as settled and certain. It is middle voice (the speaker acting on his own behalf), so they are the ones putting their weight behind the claims. The sting: they speak with complete confidence about matters they do not understand.

Titus · 1

  1. Titus 3:8 διαβεβαιοῦσθαι to affirm strongly

    This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.

    Here: To state firmly and with confidence. The present tense suggests he should keep doing it as an ongoing emphasis. The same verb describes the false teachers "confidently asserting" things they don't understand (1 Tim 1:7). Titus is to be just as insistent, but about what is true.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.