Original Word: περιφρονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: periphroneó
Pronunciation: pe-ree-fro-NEH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-fron-eh'-o)
KJV: despise
NASB: disregard
Word Origin: [from G4012 (περί - about) and G5426 (φρονέω - mind)]

1. to think beyond, i.e. depreciate (contemn)

despise.

From peri and phroneo; to think beyond, i.e. Depreciate (contemn) -- despise.

see GREEK peri

see GREEK phroneo

4065 periphronéō (from 4012 /perí, "all-around," and 5426 /phronéō, "exercising personal perspective") – properly, think all-around by considering from all sides which results however in "over-thinking" (injecting personal bias, used only in Tit 2:15).

Word Origin
from peri and phroneó
Definition
to examine on all sides, to despise
NASB Translation
disregard (1).

STRONGS NT 4065: περιφρονέω

περιφρονέω, περιφρόνω;

1. to consider or examine on all sides (περί, III. 1), i. e. carefully, thoroughly (Aristophanes nub. 741).

2. (from περί, beyond, III. 2), to set oneself in thought beyond (exalt oneself in thought above) a person or thing; to contemn, despise: τίνος (cf. Kühner, § 419, 1 b. vol. 2, p. 325), Titus 2:15 (4 Macc. 6:9; 7:16; 14:1; Plutarch, others; τοῦ ζῆν, Plato, Ax., p. 372; Aeschines dial. Socrates 3, 22).

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4065 (περιφρονεῖν) depicts an attitude of willful contempt—looking “around” a person in order to look down on him. The term appears once in the Greek New Testament, in Titus 2:15, where Paul commands, “Let no one despise you”. The singular usage sharpens its force: this is a word chosen precisely to warn against an insidious form of disrespect that corrodes godly order in the church.

Context in Titus 2:15

Paul’s epistle to Titus instructs a young apostolic delegate left in Crete to “set in order what was unfinished” (Titus 1:5). After laying out household codes for older men, older women, young women, young men, and slaves (Titus 2:1-10), Paul grounds every exhortation in the appearing of grace through Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-14). Then he charges, “Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Two ideas converge:

1. The integrity of the gospel message.
2. The necessity that the messenger not be brushed aside.

Because Titus had to confront false teachers (Titus 1:10-16) and lax moral standards, any tolerance of contempt would weaken the church’s witness on an island already infamous for moral laxity (Titus 1:12).

Biblical Theology of Disregard

Scripture consistently condemns contempt for God’s appointed representatives:
• Israel’s rejection of Moses (Exodus 2:14; Acts 7:27).
• Contempt for the prophets (2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 25:4-7).
• Despising the Servant-Messiah (Isaiah 53:3).

These episodes frame the apostolic warning: to ignore Christ’s emissaries is ultimately to ignore Christ Himself (Luke 10:16).

Parallels and Illustrations

Other Greek verbs—καταφρονεῖν (2706) and ἐξουθενεῖν (1848)—describe similar scorn, yet περιφρονεῖν uniquely pictures the mental maneuver of “looking past” someone. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus says, “You will love one and despise the other,” stressing divided loyalty. Paul likewise cautions Timothy not to allow anyone to “despise” (καταφρονέω) his youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Titus, facing older men and established leaders, would fight the same prejudice.

Historical and Cultural Background

Crete valued age, rhetorical skill, and social status. An ethnically mixed congregation led by a young Gentile could easily discount his authority. The command “Let no one despise you” assumes Titus would need courage, clarity, and an exemplary life (Titus 2:7-8) to silence disdain.

Relationship to Church Authority and Discipline

Church health rests on faithful proclamation and reception of sound doctrine. When leaders are treated as irrelevant, exhortation falters, sin festers, and the gospel’s credibility suffers (Titus 2:5, 8, 10). Thus περιφρονεῖν threatens not merely personalities but the very order Christ established.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Leaders must teach with “all authority,” derived from Scripture, not personal dominance.
2. Congregants are warned against a casual irreverence that masks spiritual pride.
3. Younger or less-experienced servants can rely on God’s call rather than social leverage.
4. Correcting contempt involves both verbal rebuke and consistent godly modeling (Titus 2:7-8).

Application for Contemporary Believers

• Evaluate attitudes toward pastors, elders, parents, and civil authorities. Hidden scorn reveals a heart posture toward God.
• Uphold biblical authority structures while rejecting authoritarianism; mutual submission and humble leadership stand together.
• Encourage faithful servants who face dismissal because of age, ethnicity, or lack of worldly prestige.

Related Words and Concepts

Despise (καταφρονεῖν, 2706); Treat with contempt (ἐξουθενεῖν, 1848); Revere (φοβεῖσθαι); Submit (ὑποτάσσεσθαι).

See Also

2 Corinthians 10:1-11; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-6

περιεχρύσωσεν περιεχύθη περικεχρυσωμένα περιφρονειτω περιφρονείτω περιχαλκώσεις περιχάλκωσεν περιχαράκωσον περιχαρείς periphroneito periphroneitō periphroneíto periphroneítōInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts