1226. diabebaioomai
Lexical Summary
diabebaioomai: To affirm strongly, to assert confidently, to declare emphatically.

Original Word: διαβεβαιόομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diabebaioomai
Pronunciation: dee-ab-eb-ah-YO-oh-my
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ab-eb-ahee-o'-om-ahee)
KJV: affirm constantly
NASB: make confident assertions, speak confidently
Word Origin: [middle voice of a compound of G1223 (διά - through) and G950 (βεβαιόω - confirmed)]

1. to confirm thoroughly (by words), i.e. asseverate

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
affirm constantly.

Middle voice of a compound of dia and bebaioo; to confirm thoroughly (by words), i.e. Asseverate -- affirm constantly.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK bebaioo

HELPS Word-studies

1226 diabebaióomai (from 1223 /diá, "all the way through, thoroughly," which intensifies 950 /bebaióō, "make sure, confirm") – properly, "emphatically assert"; "confidently affirm" (Abbott-Smith).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dia and bebaioó
Definition
to affirm confidently
NASB Translation
make confident assertions (1), speak confidently (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1226: διαβεβαιοομαι

διαβεβαιοομαι (διαβεβαιοῦμαι); middle to affirm strongly, assert confidently, (cf. Winer's Grammar, 253 (238)): περί τινο (Polybius 12, 11 (12), 6), 1 Timothy 1:7 (cf. WH's Appendix, p. 167); Titus 3:8. (Demosthenes, p. 220, 4; Diodorus, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Plutarch, Aelian)

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

Strong’s Greek 1226 describes an emphatic, public affirmation. It expresses more than ordinary agreement; it carries the idea of certifying something as unquestionably true, binding, or worthy of full acceptance. In everyday first-century usage it was employed in legal settings to guarantee facts or validate testimony. Within the New Testament it signifies a Spirit-empowered insistence that the message of the gospel and its practical implications are beyond dispute.

Usage in the Pastoral Epistles

1 Timothy 1:7 exposes individuals who “confidently assert” teachings they do not understand. The verb underscores the irony: their tone is absolute, their content empty. By selecting this strong term, Paul unmasks the danger of ungrounded dogmatism and highlights the necessity that confident affirmation be tethered to apostolic truth.

Titus 3:8 reverses the scene. “This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to affirm these things, so that those who have believed God will be intent on engaging in good works.” Here the same verb authorizes Titus to press believers to action grounded in sound doctrine. The certainty of the gospel mandates an equally certain pastoral proclamation, resulting in fruitful lives.

Contrast with False Certainty

In both passages Paul juxtaposes authentic assurance with empty bravado. Mere rhetorical force may impress hearers, but only truth backed by divine authority deserves unwavering proclamation. The word therefore serves as a touchstone: insist only on what Scripture certifies; treat speculative opinions with restraint.

Historical Resonance

Greco-Roman contracts often required a guarantor to “stand surety” for a statement. Paul harnesses that cultural expectation: gospel ministers act as guarantors of heaven’s message. Their credibility rests not on personal eloquence but on conformity to the apostolic deposit. This backdrop would have reminded original readers that embracing Christ places them under a covenant far weightier than any civic oath.

Pastoral Implications

• Guard the pulpit. What receives emphatic affirmation shapes congregational conscience.
• Couple proclamation with comprehension. Unlike the law-teachers in 1 Timothy 1:7, servants of the Word must understand before they insist.
• Tie certainty to obedience. Titus 3:8 weds assurance to good works; the more confidently believers grasp grace, the more deliberately they live it out.
• Model humility. Strong affirmation of Scripture leaves no room for dogmatism on doubtful matters (compare Romans 14:1).

Doctrinal Significance

The verb underlines the reliability of God’s revelation. When Paul instructs Titus to “affirm these things,” he signals that salvation by grace, renewal by the Holy Spirit, and the call to good works (Titus 3:4-8) are non-negotiable. The church’s certainty rests on God’s character, not human opinion, providing a sure foundation for ethical exhortation.

Implications for Christian Witness Today

1. Proclaim the gospel with intelligent conviction, resisting the cultural pressure to dilute claims of absolute truth.
2. Insist on doctrines central to redemption while exercising charity in secondary debates.
3. Encourage believers to translate confessed certainty into visible compassion and service.
4. Equip emerging leaders to discern between issues to be “affirmed” and matters best held with open hands.

Summary

Strong’s 1226 spotlights the balance between courage and accuracy in Christian testimony. It calls every generation to proclaim with settled assurance what God has revealed, to expose unfounded dogmatism, and to cultivate lives that embody the truths we so confidently affirm.

Forms and Transliterations
διαβεβαιουνται διαβεβαιούνται διαβεβαιοῦνται διαβεβαιουσθαι διαβεβαιούσθαι διαβεβαιοῦσθαι διαβήματα διαβήματά διαβιασάμενοι διαβιβάζων διαβιβάσαι διαβιβάσετε διαβιβάσης διαβιώση διεβίβασαν διεβίβασε διεβίβασεν diabebaiountai diabebaioûntai diabebaiousthai diabebaioûsthai
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Timothy 1:7 V-PIM/P-3P
GRK: περὶ τίνων διαβεβαιοῦνται
NAS: which they make confident assertions.
KJV: nor whereof they affirm.
INT: concerning what they strongly affirm

Titus 3:8 V-PNM/P
GRK: βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι ἵνα φροντίζωσιν
NAS: I want you to speak confidently, so
KJV: that thou affirm constantly, that
INT: I desire you to affirm strongly that might take care

Strong's Greek 1226
2 Occurrences


διαβεβαιοῦνται — 1 Occ.
διαβεβαιοῦσθαι — 1 Occ.

1225
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