Greek word · G1256

διαλέγω

dialegō

to dispute

To talk something through with someone: to converse, discuss, argue a point, reason back and forth. It can also mean giving a speech or discourse (Acts 20:7, 9). The root idea is speech that engages a partner, and the word has a long history in Greek philosophy ('dialogue,' 'dialectic').

Appears 13 times in 13 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

δια-λέγομαι

(mid. of διαλέγω, to pick out, distinguish, as depon.), [in LXX: Exodus 6:27, Isaiah 63:1 (דּבר pi.), Judges 8:1 (ריב), 1Es.8:46, Esther 5:2, Sirach 14:20, 2Ma.11:20 * ;]

to converse with, discourse (see Cl. Rev., i, 45), discuss, argue: Acts 18:4 19:8,9 20:9; with dative of person(s), Acts 17:17 18:19 20:7, Hebrews 12:5; before πρός, Mark 9:34, Acts 17:17 24:12; περί Acts 24:25, Jude 1:9; ἀπὸ τ. γραφῶν, Acts 17:2.†

(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 Acts 18:4

Range of meaning: To talk something through with someone: to converse, discuss, argue a point, reason back and forth. It can also mean giving a speech or discourse (Acts 20:7, 9). The root idea is speech that engages a partner, and the word has a long history in Greek philosophy ('dialogue,' 'dialectic').
Against the English: KJV, BSB, ESV and NIV say 'reasoned,' which is accurate. The Strong's gloss 'to dispute' is too narrow, since the word does not have to mean a hostile argument. 'Preached' (KJV at Acts 20:7) goes the other way and hides the interactive side.
How it drifted: 'Reason' in modern English tends to mean abstract logic set apart from tradition or authority. Paul's 'reasoning' was argument from the Jewish Scriptures (Acts 17:2-3: 'he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving').
Used elsewhere in the period: Xenophon and Plato use it for Socratic conversation. The Septuagint uses it for ordinary speaking together (e.g. Isa 63:1). Acts uses it as the regular word for Paul's synagogue and public teaching: 17:2, 17:17, 18:19, 19:8-9 (the lecture hall of Tyrannus), 20:7, 24:25. BDAG gives 'to engage in speech interchange, converse, discuss, argue' and, secondarily, 'to instruct about something.'

From the study of Acts 17:2

Range of meaning: To converse or discuss. To argue or debate. To speak to an audience at length. The word covers everything from conversation, through structured argument, to an extended address. In classical Greek it is the verb behind 'dialectic', the Socratic method of question and answer.
Against the English: Most versions have 'reasoned' (KJV, BSB, WEB, NIV, ESV, NASB). Today 'reasoned' can suggest cool, logic-only argument, or reasoning from general principles. The Greek suggests live exchange: Paul makes his case, hearers push back, and the argument is grounded in shared texts. 'Discussed', 'debated' or 'argued' each catch part of it.
How it drifted: Since the Enlightenment, 'reason' has meant independent rational thought as opposed to revelation or authority. Here the 'reasoning' is argument from authoritative texts, the opposite of reasoning apart from them.
Used elsewhere in the period: Plato and Xenophon use it for philosophical conversation. The Septuagint uses it for speaking to or contending with someone (e.g. Exod 6:27, Moses and Aaron 'speaking to Pharaoh'). In the NT it is used for the disciples arguing (Mark 9:34) and Michael disputing with the devil (Jude 9). In Acts it is Luke's standard word for Paul's synagogue and public work (17:17; 18:4, 19; 19:8–9; 24:12, 25). In Acts 20:7, 9 it describes Paul talking at length into the night at Troas, almost a long sermon.

From the study of Acts 18:19

Range of meaning: To converse or discuss. To talk something through with someone. To argue a point, sometimes in debate. Later it could also mean simply to address or speak to people. Both the conversation and the argument are present in the word.
Against the English: KJV and most modern versions use "reasoned" here. The KJV has "disputed" for the same verb in 17:17 and 19:8. "Reasoned" can suggest a calm one-way lecture, and "disputed" can suggest a quarrel. The Greek sits between the two: an engaged exchange in which Paul makes a case and others answer back.
How it drifted: The English 'dispute' has come to mean a hostile disagreement, and 'reasoned' often suggests one person explaining to passive listeners. Neither matches the give-and-take of the Greek.
Used elsewhere in the period: In classical Greek the verb belongs to philosophical conversation; it is the root of 'dialectic', the Socratic method of question and answer. In the LXX it can mean simply to speak (e.g. Exod 6:27; Isa 63:1). Luke uses it as his standard word for Paul's synagogue and public work (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4; 19:8–9; 20:7, 9; 24:12, 25), often alongside 'persuading' and 'explaining from the Scriptures' (17:2–3). BDAG gives both 'engage in speech interchange, converse, discuss, argue' and 'address, preach'.

Where it appears

Mark · 1

Mark 9:34 διελέχθησαν they had been discussing

But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

Acts · 10

Acts 17:2 διελέξατο he reasoned

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Here: 'He discussed' or 'argued his case'. It means giving reasoned talks that invited response and debate, not a one-way sermon and not abstract philosophy.
Acts 17:17 διελέγετο He was reasoning

So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.
Acts 18:4 διελέγετο he was reasoning

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

Here: Imperfect tense, so ongoing and repeated: 'he would discuss' week after week. It points to a give-and-take conversation over the Scriptures, with questions and answers, more than a one-way sermon.
Acts 18:19 διελέξατο he reasoned

When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.

Here: "He discussed / argued it out". This was two-way discussion, often with questions and objections, almost certainly about whether the Scriptures pointed to Jesus as Messiah. It was neither a one-way sermon nor a hostile quarrel.
Acts 19:8 διαλεγόμενος reasoning

Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

Here: 'Discussing / reasoning.' This is two-way discussion and argument from the scriptures, with questions and answers. The word is used of teachers' discussions, not of quarrelling or one-way preaching. The present participle says how his open speaking went on, day after day.
Acts 19:9 διαλεγόμενος reasoning

But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

Here: "Reasoning," ongoing. It was the normal word for argued discussion with questions and answers in philosophical and synagogue settings. It is not a one-way sermon, and not merely a quarrel.
Acts 20:7 διελέγετο was talking

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.

Here: "Was reasoning with / discoursing to", an ongoing action. In Acts this verb describes Paul arguing and discussing in synagogues and lecture halls. It points to teaching that could include questions and exchange, not just a speech from a pulpit.
Acts 20:9 διαλεγομένου as is talking

And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead.
Acts 24:12 διαλεγόμενον reasoning

Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
Acts 24:25 διαλεγομένου When reasoning

As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

Here: Present participle in a background clause: "while he was reasoning." The word means talking a subject through, setting out a case and answering back. It is Luke's usual word for Paul's teaching in synagogues and public places (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4; 19:8). The supplied gloss "dispute" is too hostile here: this was a private hearing that Felix had asked for, not an argument.

Hebrews · 1

Hebrews 12:5 διαλέγεται· addresses:

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.

Here: Present tense: Scripture is speaking now and reasoning with them as a parent talks things through with a child. This fits how Hebrews regularly has Scripture speak in the present (3:7, "as the Holy Spirit says").

Jude · 1

Jude 1:9 διελέγετο he was reasoning

But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Here: 'Was arguing', in a form that pictures an ongoing exchange of arguments. Paired with the previous word, it paints a back-and-forth dispute, and dia-…dia-…dia- (diabolō, diakrinomenos, dielegeto) gives a run of sound.

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