1375. diógmos
Lexical Summary
diógmos: Persecution

Original Word: διωγμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: diógmos
Pronunciation: dee-ogue-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ogue-mos')
KJV: persecution
NASB: persecution, persecutions
Word Origin: [from G1377 (διώκω - persecuted)]

1. persecution

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
persecution.

From dioko; persecution -- persecution.

see GREEK dioko

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1375 diōgmós (from 1377 /diṓkō, "follow, pursue") – properly, pursuit (chase); persecution – literally, "the hunt to bring someone down like an animal," trying to suppress (punish) their convictions. See 1377 (diōkō).

1375 /diōgmós ("religious persecution") literally refers to those seeking to punish God's messengers with a vengeance – like a hunter trying to conquer (obliterate) someone as their "catch."

[1375 (diōgmós) is used in ancient and biblical Greek for persecution (hostility) shown by confused, spiritual "leaders." For example, it applies to the Roman Emperor, Decius (ad 250-251). He killed thousands of Christians who refused to offer sacrifices in his name.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from diókó
Definition
persecution
NASB Translation
persecution (5), persecutions (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1375: διωγμός

διωγμός, διωγμοῦ, (διώκω), persecution: Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17; Mark 10:30; Acts 8:1; Acts 13:50; Romans 8:35; plural, 2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:11 (from Aeschylus down).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

The word describes the hostile pursuit of believers because they follow Jesus Christ. It spans verbal harassment, social exclusion, confiscation of property, imprisonment, and martyrdom. Scripture treats such opposition not as an anomaly but as a predictable consequence of fidelity to the gospel.

Occurrences and Contexts in the New Testament

Matthew 13:21 and Mark 4:17 place persecution among the first obstacles confronting new converts. In Mark 10:30 it is listed alongside divine blessings, showing that suffering and reward coexist in Christian discipleship. Acts records two outbreaks (Acts 8:1; Acts 13:50) that scattered or expelled believers. The Pauline writings cite persecution as both a present hardship (Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 12:10) and a proof of steadfast faith (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Paul recalls specific events at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (2 Timothy 3:11). In every setting the word highlights intentional aggression against the people of God.

Teaching of Jesus on Persecution

1. Predicted reality: “When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away” (Mark 4:17).
2. Integral to reward: “and with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:30).
3. Measure of authenticity: hostility verifies that the gospel contradicts the values of the present age. Jesus therefore prepares disciples to expect resistance while promising superior, lasting compensation.

Apostolic Testimony and Theological Emphasis

Paul’s catalog of hardships culminates with persecution: “I delight in … persecutions” (2 Corinthians 12:10). The Thessalonian church becomes “an example” amid “persecutions” (2 Thessalonians 1:4), demonstrating that endurance glorifies God. Romans 8:35 assures believers that persecution cannot sever them from Christ’s love, linking suffering to the larger theme of inseparable salvation. Timothy learns that persecution is neither random nor final: “those persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from them all” (2 Timothy 3:11).

Persecution in the Spread of the Gospel

Acts 8:1 notes, “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem,” driving disciples into Judea and Samaria and thereby fulfilling Acts 1:8. Later, expulsion from Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50) propels Paul toward wider Gentile mission. Opposition, paradoxically, becomes an instrument for geographic and ethnic expansion of the gospel.

Promises and Encouragement for the Persecuted

• Present help: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
• Future vindication: “eternal life” promised in Mark 10:30.
• Unbreakable union: “Who shall separate us … shall persecution?” (Romans 8:35).
• Corporate reinforcement: “we ourselves boast about you … for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions” (2 Thessalonians 1:4).

Such assurances anchor the church’s hope, reminding believers that suffering is temporary, purposeful, and bounded by God’s sovereign care.

Historical Witness of the Church

From Stephen’s martyrdom to contemporary situations, the church’s account is marked by persecution. Early Roman edicts, medieval restrictions, and modern totalitarian regimes confirm the continuing relevance of the New Testament pattern. The endurance of saints, often sealed with blood, authenticates the gospel’s power and calls each generation to similar faithfulness.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Discipleship training must include realistic preparation for hostility.
2. Pastoral care should strengthen congregations to persevere, praying for boldness rather than mere escape (compare Acts 4:29).
3. Advocacy and tangible aid for persecuted believers constitute a biblical obligation (Hebrews 13:3).
4. Suffering believers provide a model of courage and serve as catalysts for evangelism, since observers often inquire about the hope that sustains such resilience (1 Peter 3:15).

Relationship to Eschatology

Persecution intensifies as the day of Christ approaches (compare Matthew 24:9–14). It functions as a sign of the last days, refines the church, and sets the stage for final vindication when the righteous “will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43).

Summary

Throughout the New Testament, διωγμός underscores the paradox that the church flourishes under fire. Persecution cannot obstruct God’s purposes; instead, it exposes counterfeit faith, matures true disciples, accelerates gospel proclamation, and magnifies the sufficiency of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
διωγμοις διωγμοίς διωγμοῖς διωγμον διωγμόν διωγμὸν διωγμος διωγμός διωγμὸς διωγμου διωγμού διωγμοῦ διωγμους διωγμούς διωγμοὺς διωγμων διωγμών διωγμῶν διωθείσθε diogmois diogmoîs diōgmois diōgmoîs diogmon diogmòn diogmôn diōgmon diōgmòn diōgmōn diōgmō̂n diogmos diogmòs diōgmos diōgmòs diogmou diogmoû diōgmou diōgmoû diogmous diogmoùs diōgmous diōgmoùs
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 13:21 N-GMS
GRK: θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν
NAS: or persecution arises
KJV: or persecution ariseth
INT: tribulation or persecution on account of the

Mark 4:17 N-GMS
GRK: θλίψεως ἢ διωγμοῦ διὰ τὸν
NAS: or persecution arises
KJV: or persecution ariseth
INT: tribulation or persecution on account of the

Mark 10:30 N-GMP
GRK: ἀγροὺς μετὰ διωγμῶν καὶ ἐν
NAS: and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age
KJV: lands, with persecutions; and in
INT: lands with persecutions and in

Acts 8:1 N-NMS
GRK: τῇ ἡμέρᾳ διωγμὸς μέγας ἐπὶ
NAS: a great persecution began
KJV: a great persecution against
INT: the day a persecution great against

Acts 13:50 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ ἐπήγειραν διωγμὸν ἐπὶ τὸν
NAS: and instigated a persecution against
KJV: and raised persecution against Paul
INT: and stirred up a persecution against

Romans 8:35 N-NMS
GRK: στενοχωρία ἢ διωγμὸς ἢ λιμὸς
NAS: distress, or persecution, or famine,
KJV: distress, or persecution, or famine,
INT: distress or persecution or famine

2 Corinthians 12:10 N-DMP
GRK: ἀνάγκαις ἐν διωγμοῖς καὶ στενοχωρίαις
NAS: with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties,
KJV: in persecutions, in
INT: hardships in persecutions and difficulties

2 Thessalonians 1:4 N-DMP
GRK: πᾶσιν τοῖς διωγμοῖς ὑμῶν καὶ
NAS: in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions
KJV: all your persecutions and tribulations
INT: all the persecutions of you and

2 Timothy 3:11 N-DMP
GRK: τοῖς διωγμοῖς τοῖς παθήμασιν
NAS: persecutions, [and] sufferings, such
KJV: Persecutions, afflictions, which
INT: the persecutions the sufferings

2 Timothy 3:11 N-AMP
GRK: Λύστροις οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα καὶ
NAS: what persecutions I endured,
KJV: what persecutions I endured:
INT: Lystra what manner of persecutions I endured and

Strong's Greek 1375
10 Occurrences


διωγμῶν — 1 Occ.
διωγμοῖς — 3 Occ.
διωγμὸν — 1 Occ.
διωγμὸς — 2 Occ.
διωγμοῦ — 2 Occ.
διωγμοὺς — 1 Occ.

1374
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