Original Word: διαλέγομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dialegomai
Pronunciation: dee-al-eg'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-al-eg'-om-ahee)
KJV: dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak
NASB: reasoning, reasoned, talking, addressed, argued, carrying on a discussion, discussed
Word Origin: [middle voice from G1223 (διά - through) and G3004 (λέγω - said)]

1. to say thoroughly, i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation)

dispute, preach unto, reason with.

Middle voice from dia and lego; to say thoroughly, i.e. Discuss (in argument or exhortation) -- dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK lego

1256 dialégomai (from 1223 /diá, "through, from one side across to the other," which intensifies 3004 /légō, "speaking to a conclusion") – properly, "getting a conclusion across" by exchanging thoughts (logic) – "mingling thought with thought, to ponder (revolve in the mind)" (J. Thayer).

1256 /dialégomai ("getting a conclusion across") occurs 13 times in the NT, usually of believers exercising "dialectical reasoning." This is the process of giving and receiving information with someone to reach deeper understanding – a "going back-and-forth" of thoughts and ideas so people can better know the Lord (His word, will). Doing this is perhaps the most telling characteristic of the growing Christian!

[1256 (dialégomai) is the root of the English term, "dialogue."]

Word Origin
from dia and legó
Definition
to discuss, to address, to preach
NASB Translation
addressed (1), argued (1), carrying on a discussion (1), discussed (1), discussing (1), reasoned (2), reasoning (4), talking (2).

STRONGS NT 1256: διαλέγομαι

διαλέγομαι; imperfect διελεγομην; (1 aorist 3 person singular διελέξατο (L T Tr WH in Acts 17:2; Acts 18:19)); 1 aorist διελεχθην; (middle of διαλέγω, to select, distingish);

1. to think different things with oneself, mingle thought with thought (cf. διαλογίζομαι); to ponder, revolve in mind; so in Homer.

2. as very frequent in Attic, to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss: absolutely, Acts (); f; (); περί τίνος, Acts 24:25; τίνι, with one, Acts 17:17; Acts 18:19; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 12:5; ἀπό τῶν γραφῶν, drawing arguments from the Scriptures, Acts 17:2; πρός τινα, Acts 17:11; Acts 24:12; with the idea of disputing prominent: πρός ἀλλήλους, followed by the interrogative τίς, Mark 9:34; περί τίνος, Jude 1:9.

Essential Meaning and Scope

Strong’s Greek 1256 describes an interactive form of speech—reasoning through dialogue rather than delivering a one-way address. It can denote courteous discussion, persuasive argument, formal disputation, or extended explanation. The contexts in which it appears show that biblical dialogue is never mere intellectual sparring; it aims at conviction of the heart and submission to God’s revealed truth.

Occurrences in the New Testament Record

• Everyday discipleship: “But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest” (Mark 9:34).
• Pastoral exhortation: “And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons…” (Hebrews 12:5).
• Apostolic evangelism: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2).
• Marketplace witness: “So he reasoned in the synagogue…as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17).
• Lecture-hall ministry: “He withdrew the disciples and reasoned daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9).
• Lord’s-day teaching: “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people…and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7).
• Apologetic defense: “My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd” (Acts 24:12).
• Prophetic warning: “As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid…” (Acts 24:25).
• Cosmic contest: “The archangel Michael…disputed with the devil over the body of Moses” (Jude 1:9).

Historical and Cultural Setting

In both synagogue and agora, formal dialogue was a recognized means of testing ideas. Greco-Roman rhetoric valued dialectic, and rabbinic schools prized debate over Torah. The Spirit-empowered church entered this arena confident that the gospel could withstand examination (Acts 17:3). By adopting the familiar format of “reasoning,” the apostles bridged cultures without compromising revelation.

Paul’s Missional Strategy

Paul’s use of dialegomai forms a deliberate pattern:

1. Enter a public venue (synagogue, marketplace, lecture hall).
2. Present Scripture as the ultimate authority.
3. Engage objections, moving hearers toward Christ.
4. Persist until hearts are hardened or disciples are formed (Acts 19:8-10).

This strategy unified apologetics, evangelism, and teaching. It also encouraged believers to participate, for dialogue presupposes mutual engagement (Acts 20:7-9).

Doctrinal Formation and Ethical Appeal

Dialegomai gathers doctrinal content around practical exhortation. In Hebrews 12:5 the divine “dialogue” cites Proverbs 3:11-12, tying filial correction to perseverance. In Acts 24:25 Paul’s dialogue applies doctrine (“righteousness…coming judgment”) to an unbeliever’s conscience. Thus dialogic reasoning guards orthodoxy while pressing for moral response.

Spiritual Warfare Dimension

Jude 1:9 lifts the term above human debate into the invisible realm. Even the archangel Michael “disputed” under divine restraint: “The Lord rebuke you!” The episode reminds believers that godly reasoning submits to God’s authority; victory is secured not by verbal prowess but by divine decree (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Patterns for Contemporary Ministry

1. Engage culture where it gathers—academic forums, social media, coffee shops—offering a reasoned defense grounded in Scripture.
2. Encourage two-way interaction in preaching and teaching, mirroring Paul’s Troas example.
3. Combine intellectual clarity with spiritual urgency: righteousness, self-control, and judgment remain central topics.
4. Maintain humility; Michael’s restraint models reverence even when refuting evil.
5. Guard against sterile argumentation; true dialogue seeks repentance and faith (Acts 17:30-31).

Summary

Strong’s 1256 portrays robust, respectful, Scripture-centered dialogue. From the disciples’ private disputes to Paul’s public proclamations—and even to angelic conflict—biblical reasoning calls hearers to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. When faithfully practiced, this dialogic ministry continues to bear fruit in evangelism, discipleship, and the defense of the faith.

διαλεγεται διαλέγεται διαλέγομαι διαλεγόμενοι διαλεγομενον διαλεγόμενον διαλεγομενος διαλεγόμενος διαλεγομενου διαλεγομένου διελεγετο διελέγετο διελεξατο διελέξατο διελέχθη διελεχθησαν διελέχθησαν dialegetai dialégetai dialegomenon dialegómenon dialegomenos dialegómenos dialegomenou dialegoménou dielechthesan dielechthēsan dieléchthesan dieléchthēsan dielegeto dielégeto dielexato dieléxatoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts