Words To Describe Preaching - Help For Preachers

INTRODUCTION
A Study of the NT Greek Words Used to Describe Preaching
Prepared by Robert J. Young, D.Min.
Ohio Valley College
1. For preachers in the 21st century to please God, they must understand the NT teaching
on the life and work of preachers of the gospel, and must incorporate the NT teaching
into their ministries.
2. There is no source other than the NT from which men can learn what the preacher
should do.
3. It is possible for a preacher to please himself and others while at the same displeasing
God (Prov. 16:25; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
4. May each of us approach this study with humility and a sincere willingness to learn.
I. CONDITIONS FOR ACCURATELY UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
A. One must know the meaning of the words used in the Bible.
B. One must know how the words fit together to form sentences (syntax).
C. One must understand the immediate context of which the sentence is a part
(paragraph, chapter, book).
D. One must understand the remote context--what the Bible says elsewhere on the
same and closely related subjects.
E. One must understand the general message of the Bible.
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INTENSIVE, ACCURATE WORD STUDY FOR UNDERSTANDING A
BIBLE SUBJECT
A. The words--not merely the thought of the Bible--are inspired (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Pet.1:20-
21).
B. There are many synonyms in the NT.
1. The Holy Spirit guided their use in each case.
2. It is imperative, therefore, that we give careful attention to them.
III. A STUDY OF THE GREEK WORDS TRANSLATED (KJV) BY THE ENGLISH WORD
"PREACH"
A. Some of the more significant words to be included in this study are kerusso,
euaggelizo, prokerusso, diaggeillo, laleo, kataggello, dialeggomai, and
proeuaggelizomai
B. The purpose of this study is to identify some of the words used in the NT in
connection with the task of preaching--the task of making known to others the faith of
Jesus Christ.
I. Kerusso
A. Translations of this word in the KJV

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1. "Proclaim"-- Lk. 12:3; Rev. 5;2
2. "Publish"-- Mk. 1:45; 5:20, etc.
3. "Preach"-- Matt. 3:1; 4:17; Acts 8:5; Acts 9:20 (Proclaimed- ASV)
B. Basic Meaning
1. ... "to be a herald; to officiate as a herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald;
always with the suggestion of formality, gravity, and an authority which must be
listened to and obeyed..."(Thayer)
2. This word itself says nothing about the message to be proclaimed.
C. Conclusion: The preacher is to publicly proclaim the message to Christ with gravity
and authority (Titus 2:15). The preacher must understand that he is a herald,
proclaiming the message which originates with another.
II. Euaggelizo
A. In the KJV, this word is translated by quite a few different expressions which actually
differ very little. The following is not a complete list, but gives a general idea of how the
word is used.
1. "Declared"-- Rev. 10:7
2. "Preach"-- Rev. 14:6
3. "Bring good tidings"-- Lk. 2:10; 1 Thess. 3:6; "Declare glad tidings"-- Acts 13:32;
ASV "good"
4. "Preach the gospel"-- Lk. 4:18; 9:6; Rom. 1:15; 15:20; 1 Cor. 1:17; Gal. 1:8; 4:13
B. Basic meaning: to make known the good message. Whereas kerusso said nothing
about the message, this word says something about the content of the message.
* There is but one good message as far as Christianity is concerned--the gospel of
Christ.
C. Conclusion: the gospel preacher makes known an important message (that of
salvation through Christ). It is the only good news message relative to salvation from
sin (Gal. 1:6-9).
III. Kataggello
A. In the KJV, this word is translated as follows.
1. "Declare"--Acts 17;23 (set forth, ASV), 1 Cor. 2:1 (proclaim, ASV)
2. "Show"-- Acts 16:17; 26:23; I Cor. 11:26 (proclaim - ASV)
3. "Speak "--Romans 1:8 (proclaimed -- ASV)
4. "Preach"--Acts 4:2; 13:5; 15:36; I Cor. 9:14 (proclaim -- ASV); Phil. 1:16; (set for the
defense) ASV; Col. 1:28
5. "Teach"--Acts 16:21
B. Basic meaning: this word refers to the delivery of the message--to announce or
declare, to make proclamation with authority (M & M).
C. Conclusion: this word is similar to kerusso, but lacks some of the formality of an
official declaration made by a herald.
IV. Dialegomai

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A. In KJV, this word is translated several ways.
1. "Preach"--(Acts 20:7) (Discoursed--ASV)
2. "Reason with"--(Acts 17:2; 18:19)]
3. "Dispute"--Mk. 9:34; Acts 17:17; 19:8-9; 24:12; Jude 9; (ASV--reasoned, Acts 17:17;
19:8-9)
4. "Speak"-- (Heb. 12.5)
B. Basic meaning: while the basic meaning is to argue, discourse, debate, discuss,
contend, as noted above, it can also mean "preach."
C. Conclusion: the preacher of the gospel is to contend for the faith in discourse and
discussion, in defense and debate.
V. Laleo
A. In KJV, this word is translated as follows:
1. "Speak"--(I Cor. 14:3, 4, 5 and many others.)
2. "Talk"--(Acts: 26:31) and a number of others. (Spoke--ASV)
3. "Preach"--(Mark 2:2; Acts 8:25; 11:19; 13:42; 14:25; 16:6) (The ASV uses speak)
B. Basic meaning: this word is used when the emphasis is on the fact of utterance.
C. Conclusion: the preacher speaks in specific words which in combination provide a
message. The emphasis in the use of this word is on the act or process of speaking.
VI. Didasko
A. In KJV, this word is translated only by "teach" (Mt. 28:20)
B. Basic Meaning: This is a broad term used of teaching generally.
C. Conclusion: The preacher is to be a teacher.
VII. Diaggello (see also apaggello, paragello, et. al.)
A. In KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Preach" (LK 9:60), (ASV--published abroad)
2. "Declare" (Rom. 9:17), (ASV--published abroad)
B. Basic meaning: to announce through, to declare fully, to publish abroad.
C. Conclusion: The preacher is to fully declare the gospel (cf. Acts 20:27), in every place
(Mk. 16:15)
VIII. Apologeomai (cf. also apologia)
A. In KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Answer for myself" (Acts 25:8; 26:1-2), (ASV -- "said in his defense," "to make
defense")
2. "Excuse one's self" (2 Cor. 12:19), (ASV - Excusing ourselves), "Excuse" (Rom.
2:15)
3. "Make defense" (Acts 19:33)
B. Basic Meaning: to answer by making a defense against a charge. (Compare with
apologia below)
C. Conclusion: A preacher must be prepared to defend his position if the occasion

warrants it.
IX. Suzeteo (suzetesis)
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A. In KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Question with" (Mk. 8:11; 9:14)
2. "Dispute" (Acts 6:9; 9:29)
3. "Reason together" (Mk. 12: 28) (ASV--questioning)
B. Basic Meaning: to discuss, dispute, question, debate.
C. Conclusion: At times preachers must question, reason together, discuss and debate
about the gospel.
X. Strateo (cf. Strateia)
A. in KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Go to warfare (I Cor. 9:7)
2. "War" (2 Cor. 10:3; I Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-4; Jas. 4:1; I Pet. 2:11)
B. Basic Meaning: to make war (from stratos, an encamped army), to make a military
expedition.
C. Conclusion: It is an obligation of Christians (including preachers) to engage in
warfare against the adversaries of the Lord.
XI. Parresiazomai (cf. parresia)
A. In KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Speak boldly" (Acts 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; Eph. 6: 20)
2. "Preach boldly" (Acts 9:27)
B. Basic meaning: to use boldness in preaching or speaking; to speak boldly, plainly,
freely, and confidently.
C. Conclusion: it is right for preachers to preach boldly, plainly and confidently in making
known the gospel.
XII. Epagonizebthai
A. This word appears only once in the Greek N.T., in Jude 3 where it is translated
"earnestly contend for."
B. Basic Meaning: To contend strenuously in defense of.
C. Conclusion: Christians (including preachers) have an obligation to earnestly contend
for the faith.
XIII. Elegko (cf. Elegkos) (reproof, 2 Tim. 3:16; evidence, Heb. 11:1)
A. In KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Convince: (Jn. 8:46; ! Cor. 14:24; Titus 1:9; James 2:9)
2. "Convict" (Jn. 8:9)
3. "Tell one's fault" (Mt. 18:15)

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4. "Reprove" (LK. 3:19; Jn. 3:20; 16:8; Eph. 5:11, 13; 2 Tim. 4:2)
5. "Rebuke" (I Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15; Heb. 12:5; Rev, 3:19)
B. Basic meaning: by conviction to bring to light, to expose, and refute teachers or false
doctrine; to rebuke severely, to chide, admonish, to call to account and show one his
fault.
C. Conclusion: Preachers have an obligation to expose and refute false teachers and to
call sinners to account.
XIV. Parakaleo
A. In the KJV, this word is translated in several ways including "called for," "entreat,"
"beseech," "desire," and "exhort."
B. Basic meaning: literally, to call along side, as an advocate or representative. This
basic idea is reflected in Jesus' reference to the Holy Spirit in John as "comforter."
C. Conclusion: There is a place for pleading and exhorting with compassion in the
preaching of the gospel.
XV. Matheteo
A. In KJV, this word is translated:
1. "Be a disciple" (Mt. 27:57)
2. "Teach" (Mt. 28:19; Acts 14:21), (ASV--Make disciples)
3. "Instruct" (Mt. 13:52), (ASV--been made a disciple)
B. Basic meaning: to follow one as a disciple; to make or cause one to be a disciple; by
implication; to teach, instruct.
C. Conclusion: The preacher (as well as others) has the obligation to instruct as many
as possible with a view to leading them to become disciples.
CONCLUSION
God's plan is for preachers to faithfully and fully preach the word (Acts 20:20; 2 Tim. 4:1-2).
We have multiplied examples of this in the word studies above and in biblical examples
(especially see Acts 20:18-21, 24-27).
http://www.ovc.edu/young/bible/grkprch.htm