Original Word: ἐλέγχω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: elegchó
Pronunciation: eh-LENG-kho
Phonetic Spelling: (el-eng'-kho)
KJV: convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove
NASB: reprove, convict, convicted, exposed, convicts, expose, rebuke
Word Origin: [of uncertain affinity]

1. to confute, admonish

convict, convince, rebuke, reprove.

Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish -- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

1651 elégxō – properly, to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to expose, convict, reprove
NASB Translation
convict (2), convicted (2), convicts (1), expose (1), exposed (2), rebuke (1), refute (1), reprimanded (1), reprove (4), reproved (1), show...fault (1).

STRONGS NT 1651: ἐλέγχω

ἐλέγχω; future ἐλέγξω; 1 aorist infinitive ἐλέγξαι, imperative ἔλεγξον; (passive, present ἐλέγχομαι; 1 aorist ἐλεγχθην); the Sept. for הוכִיחַ;

1. to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted ("ἐλέγχεινhateigentlichnichtdieBedeutung 'tadeln,schmähen,zurechtweisen,'welcheihmdieLexikazuschreiben,sondernbedeutetnichtsalsüberführen (Schmidt, chapter 4: § 12)): τινα, of crime, fault, or error; of sin, 1 Corinthians 14:24; ἐλεγχόμενοι ὑπό τοῦ νόμου ὡς παραβάται, James 2:9; ὑπό τῆς συνειδήσεως, John 8:9 R G (Philo, Works, ii., p. 649 (ed. Mang., vi. 203, Richter edition, fragment περί ἀναστάσεως καί κρίσεως) τό συνειδός ἔλεγχος ἀδέκαστος καί πάντων ἀψευδεστατος); followed by περί with the genitive of thing, John 8:46; John 16:8, and L T Tr WH in Jude 1:15 (Aristophanes, Plutarch, 574); contextually, by conviction to bring to light, to expose: τί, John 3:20, cf. 21; Ephesians 5:11, 13 (Aristophanes ecclesiastical 485; τά κρυπτά, Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 1, 68; ἐπιστάμενος, ὡς εἰ καί λαθοι ἡ ἐπιβουλή καί μή ἐλεγχθειη, Herodian, 3, 12, 11 (4th edition, Bekker); others); used of the exposure and confutation of false teachers of Christianity, Titus 1:9, 13; ταῦτα ἔλεγχε, utter these things by way of refutation, Titus 2:15.

2. to find fault with, correct;

a. by word; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove: Jude 1:22 L T Tr text; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 4:2; τινα περί τίνος, Luke 3:19; contextually, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation: τινα, from someone, Matthew 18:15.

b. by deed; to chasten, punish (according to the translation of the Hebrew הוכִיחַ, Psalm 37:2 (), etc.; Wis. 12:2): Hebrews 12:5 (from Proverbs 3:11); Revelation 3:19. (On this word cf. J. C. Hare, The Mission of the Comforter, note L; Trench, § iv. Compare: ἐξελέγχω, διακατελεγχὡ(μαἰ.)

Root Concept

Strong’s Greek 1651 describes a Spirit-energized act of bringing wrong into the open so that it can be acknowledged and forsaken. Whether translated “convict,” “expose,” “reprove,” or “rebuke,” the term always carries the aim of restoring people to God’s design rather than merely shaming them. It is truth spoken with moral authority, intended to move the conscience toward repentance and obedient faith.

Divine Conviction by the Holy Spirit

The clearest theological foundation appears in John 16:8: “And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Spirit applies the work of Christ by uncovering personal guilt, validating Jesus’ perfect righteousness, and warning of coming judgment. This inner conviction is indispensable; without it, the gospel remains information rather than transformation.

Prophetic and Apostolic Preaching

Jesus asked, “Which of you can convict Me of sin?” (John 8:46), a claim that simultaneously exposed His hearers’ unbelief and authenticated His sinless identity. In the apostolic era, prophetic utterances carried a similar effect: “But if an unbeliever… enters while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted by all” (1 Corinthians 14:24). Public proclamation that is saturated with Scripture pierces hearts precisely because God’s own truth is confronting the listener.

Pastoral Care and Church Discipline

The shepherd’s staff sometimes doubles as a rod:

• “Preach the word… reprove, rebuke, and encourage” (2 Timothy 4:2).
• “Those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone” (1 Timothy 5:20).
• “Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith” (Titus 1:13).

Here the term guards the flock. It prevents doctrinal drift (Titus 1:9) and pursues wandering sheep (Matthew 18:15). Discipline is never vindictive; its goal is health—“sound in the faith.”

Evangelistic Exposure of Sin

Light shining in darkness necessarily exposes: “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Evangelism that omits conviction may win superficial adherents but cannot produce regenerate hearts. John the Baptist’s fearless rebuke of Herod (Luke 3:19) models how godly confrontation can cut through cultural power structures and awaken conscience.

Self-Examination and Spiritual Growth

Believers, too, must remain open to reproof. “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19). James warns that favoritism leaves a Christian “convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). Hebrews 12:5 echoes Proverbs, reminding sons and daughters not to “lose heart when He rebukes you.” Personal holiness flourishes where conviction is welcomed rather than resisted.

Eschatological Judgment

Present conviction foreshadows final verdict. Jude envisions the Lord returning “to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts they have done” (Jude 1:15). What is now internal and preliminary will then be public and irreversible. Every hidden deed will be exposed (Ephesians 5:13).

Historical Application in the Church

Early church fathers (e.g., Tertullian, Chrysostom) viewed public reproof as an act of love, integral to catechesis and church purity. Reformers stressed the Word’s convicting power, seeing it as the engine of revival. Evangelical awakenings have historically been marked by strong preaching that lays bare sin, leading multitudes to confession and renewed obedience.

Practical Ministry Guidelines

1. Anchor reproof in Scripture, not personal preference.
2. Combine conviction with compassion; the goal is restoration.
3. Allow the Holy Spirit sovereign room—only He can penetrate the heart.
4. Maintain personal humility; the reprover must remain teachable.
5. Keep eschatological hope in view; the aim is readiness for Christ’s return.

Scriptural Index

Matthew 18:15; Luke 3:19; John 3:20; John 8:46; John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 14:24; Ephesians 5:11, 5:13; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9, 1:13; Titus 2:15; Hebrews 12:5; James 2:9; Jude 1:15; Revelation 3:19

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