Lexical Summary
alétheuó: To speak the truth, to be truthful
Original Word: ἀληθεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: alétheuó
Pronunciation: al-ayth-yoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (al-ayth-yoo'-o)
KJV: speak (tell) the truth
NASB: speaking the truth, telling the truth
Word Origin: [from G227 (ἀληθής - true )]
1. to be true (in doctrine and profession)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
speak the truth.
From alethes; to be true (in doctrine and profession) -- speak (tell) the truth.
see GREEK alethes
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 226 alētheúō (literally, "truthing") – speaking reality (truth) into a person's life, making a record of what God deems is truth(reality, fact). See 225 (alētheia).
226 /alētheúō (literally, "to truth") includes Spirit-led confrontation where it is vital to tell the truth so others can live in God's realityrather than personal illusion.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
aléthésDefinitionto speak the truth
NASB Translationspeaking the truth (1), telling...the truth (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 226: ἀληθεύωἀληθεύω; in secular writings ((
Aeschylus),
Xenophon,
Plato,
Aristotle, others)
to speak the truth;
a. to teach the truth: τίνι Galatians 4:16.
b. to profess the truth (true doctrine): Ephesians 4:15. (R. V. marginal reading in both passages, to deal truly.)
Topical Lexicon
Biblical UsageIn the New Testament the verb appears only twice, both times in letters written by the Apostle Paul. In Galatians 4:16 Paul asks, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” and in Ephesians 4:15 he exhorts believers, “But speaking the truth in love, we should grow up in all things into Christ Himself, who is the head.” Although rare in form, the idea conveyed by the word—actively living and communicating truth—saturates Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Context in Pauline Epistles
Galatians 4:16 occurs in a letter where Paul defends the gospel of grace against legalism. By “telling you the truth,” he reminds the Galatians that fidelity to Christ sometimes provokes opposition, yet love requires candor.
Ephesians 4:15 stands in a passage about corporate maturity. Truth is not merely factual accuracy but the life-giving reality that forms believers into “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15). The present tense participle underscores an ongoing practice: believers continually align speech and conduct with the character of Jesus Christ.
Connection to Old Testament Concepts of Truth
The Old Testament often pairs truth with covenant loyalty. For example, Psalm 85:10joins “steadfast love and truth.” Prophets were expected to declare God’s word faithfully, even when unpopular (Jeremiah 26:2). Paul’s usage aligns with this heritage: truth is covenantal faithfulness worked out in word and deed.
Doctrinal Implications
1. Christological: Jesus identifies Himself as “the truth” (John 14:6). Therefore “speaking truth” entails conformity to the person and mission of Christ.
2. Pneumatological: The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13). Yielding to the Spirit empowers believers to embody truthful speech free from deceit (Ephesians 4:25).
3. Ecclesiological: Truth spoken in love is the means by which the body “grows” (Ephesians 4:15-16). Unity and maturity depend on truth-filled relationships.
4. Soteriological: The gospel itself is “the word of truth” (Colossians 1:5). Proclaiming it truthfully guards believers from error and secures their freedom (John 8:32).
Practical Ministry Applications
• Preaching and Teaching: Faithful exposition must prioritize what God has said over cultural pressure, modeling Paul’s forthrightness in Galatians.
• Pastoral Care: Loving confrontation, seasoned with grace, helps restore those straying from the truth (James 5:19-20).
• Discipleship: Mentors train new believers to integrate honesty into every sphere—family, vocation, and public witness.
• Evangelism and Apologetics: A truthful message, delivered lovingly, dismantles arguments and draws hearers to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Historical Reception in the Church
Early church fathers such as Augustine emphasized veritas in both doctrine and practice, warning that love without truth degenerates into sentimentality, while truth without love hardens into cruelty. Reformers echoed this balance, insisting that Scripture alone defines truth and that reformation must occur in charity.
Theological Reflection
Speaking truth is more than avoiding lies; it is participating in the very life of the Triune God. The Father’s word is true (John 17:17), the Son embodies truth, and the Spirit guides into all truth. Thus the believer’s truthful speech becomes a Trinitarian act of worship.
Related Biblical Themes
Truth and Love (2 John 1:3)
Truth and Freedom (John 8:32)
Truth and Sanctification (John 17:17)
Truth and Integrity (Proverbs 12:22)
Truth and Justice (Zechariah 8:16)
Forms and Transliterations
αληθεύειν αληθεύετε αληθευοντες αληθεύοντες ἀληθεύοντες αλήθευσον αληθευων αληθεύων ἀληθεύων aletheuon aletheúon alētheuōn alētheúōn aletheuontes aletheúontes alētheuontes alētheúontes
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