Greek word · G4086

πιθανολογία

pithanologia

persuasive speech

From pithanos ('persuasive, plausible, probable', from the verb peithō, 'persuade') and logos ('word, argument'). It means persuasive speech or argument from what seems likely, as opposed to strict proof. The word can be neutral, but it often carries a suggestion of 'merely plausible.'

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

πιθανολογία, -ας, ἡ

(πιθανός, persuasive, plausible),

in cl. (Plat),

the use of probable arguments, as opposite to demonstration (ἀπόδειξις); hence, persuasive speech: Colossians 2:4 (see ICC, in l).†

(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 Colossians 2:4

Range of meaning

From pithanos ('persuasive, plausible, probable', from the verb peithō, 'persuade') and logos ('word, argument'). It means persuasive speech or argument from what seems likely, as opposed to strict proof. The word can be neutral, but it often carries a suggestion of 'merely plausible.'

Against the English

BSB 'smooth rhetoric' and NIV 'fine-sounding arguments' bring out the polish of the talk. ESV 'plausible arguments' and NASB 'persuasive argument' keep closer to the Greek idea of what seems probable. KJV/YLT 'enticing words' now suggests seduction or temptation, which shifts the picture (see drift).

How it drifted

The KJV's 'enticing' (1611) meant 'persuading, alluring by argument.' Today it suggests temptation to pleasure.

Used elsewhere in the period

Plato uses it in Theaetetus 162e, where Socrates contrasts reasoning 'by plausibility and likelihoods' with real demonstration (apodeixis), the kind of proof geometry requires. Later writers use it in the same way, and papyri use it of an advocate's persuasive pleading in court. The New Testament has a close parallel in 1 Cor 2:4, where Paul says his message did not come 'in persuasive words of wisdom' (peithoi sophias logois) but 'in demonstration (apodeixis) of the Spirit and of power.' The pairing of plausible talk against demonstration is the same.

Where it appears

Colossians · 1

  1. Colossians 2:4 πιθανολογίᾳ· persuasive speech;

    I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

    Here: 'Plausible-talk': reasoning that sounds convincing and probable without actually proving anything. The word is found only here in the New Testament. It names the method, an attractive argument, not a crude lie.

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