verb
elenchamō
Strong’sG1651
I rebuke, expose
stem elench-18 times in the New Testamentin 12 of 27 books13 forms occur
What it means
A plain-English reading of the word, with the lexicons it draws on — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, and Liddell-Scott-Jones — right below it, in full.
AI Summary
To convict or expose: the word describes bringing someone's wrongdoing into the open and demonstrating it clearly — whether by pointing out a fault directly, proving a charge to be true, or exposing what was hidden 124.
To rebuke or reprove: it also covers correcting someone by rebuking or reprimanding them for what they have done 124. This is distinguished from a milder word for rebuke, in that it implies a rebuke which actually brings the person to recognize their fault, rather than one that may be undeserved or have no effect 1.
In one biblical use, it refers to settling or deciding a dispute between two parties 3.
Sources: 1 Abbott-Smith 2 Strong's 3 LSJ 4 Dodson. Condensed by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 on 2026-09-23 — it may still misstate what these say; check them yourself if it matters to you.
The lexicons it was drawn from, in full:
Abbott-Smith — the 1922 lexicon entry, in full
ἐλέγχω
[in LXX chiefly for יָכַח hi.;]
SYN.: ἐπιτιμῶ, expressing simply rebuke, which may be undeserved (Mt 16:22) or ineffectual (Lk 23:40), while ἐλ. implies rebuke which brings conviction (v. Tr., Syn., § iv)
G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.
Strong’s G1651 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from
Saidel-eng'-kho
to confute, admonish
Fromof uncertain affinity;
King Jamesconvict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.
James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — the classical dictionary this word appears in
Refs 8th c.BC+: future ἐλέγξω Refs 5th c.BC+: aorist ἤλεγξα Refs 8th c.BC+:—passive, future ἐλεγχθήσομαι Refs 5th c.BC+: aorist ἠλέγχθην Refs 5th c.BC+: perfect ἐλήλεγμαι Refs is falsa lectio in Refs 5th c.BC+: pluperfect ἐξ-ελήλεγκτο Refs 4th c.BC+:—disgrace, put to shame, μῦθον ἐ. treat a speech with contempt, Refs 8th c.BC+; ἐ. τινά put one to shame, Refs 8th c.BC+ —This usage is only _Epic dialect_
II cross-examine, question, Refs 5th c.BC+: with accusative et infinitive, accuse one of doing, Refs 5th c.BC+:—passive, to be convicted, Refs 5th c.BC+: with participle, ἐλεγχθεὶς διαφθείρας Refs 5th c.BC+
II.2 test, bring to the proof, ἀνδρῶν ἀρετὰν παγκρατὴς ἐλέγχει ἀλάθεια Refs 5th c.BC+; πρᾶγμ᾽ ἐ. Refs 4th c.BC+ (passive, τὸ πρᾶγμ᾽ ἐλεγχθέν Refs 5th c.BC+ (passive, Refs 5th c.BC+
II.3 prove, τοῦτο ἐ. ὡς.. Refs 5th c.BC+: absolutely, bring convincing proof, ὡς ἡ ἀνάγκη ἐ. Refs 5th c.BC+; αὐτὸ τὸ ἔργον ἐ. Refs 5th c.BC+
II.4 refute, confute, τινά or τι, Refs 5th c.BC+:—passive, Refs 5th c.BC+; χρυσὸς κληῖδας ἐλέγχει proves that they avail not, Refs
II.4.b put right, correct, prove by a reductio ad impossibile, ὅσα ἔστιν ἀποδεῖξαι, ἔστι καὶ ἐλέγξαι τὸν θέμενον τὴν ἀντίφασιν τοῦ ἀληθοῦς Refs 4th c.BC+; παράδοξα ἐ. Refs
II.5 get the better of, στρατιὰν ὠκύτατι ἐ. Refs 5th c.BC+
II.6 expose, τινὰ ληροῦντα Refs 5th c.BC+; betray a weakness, Refs 3rd c.AD+
II.7 decide a dispute, ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν δύο LXX
H. G. Liddell, R. Scott, H. S. Jones, A Greek-English Lexicon (9th ed., 1925–1940) — digitised by the Perseus Digital Library and corrected and expanded by Tyndale House, Cambridge, via STEPBible-Data's TFLSJ table, CC BY 4.0. Covers all of Greek literature, not just the Bible.
Translated as
Every occurrence, sorted by the English it was actually given — the evidence for what the word means, not a gloss of it.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain — berean.bible.
Biblang forms
What the New Testament actually uses, first — the whole system this verb is built from is one click further down.
| Form and the Greek behind it | What it is | Usually | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| elenchamōἐλέγχω | happening now · Ipresent active indicative 1st person singular | reprove | 1× |
| elenchatōἐλέγχει | happening now · he/she/itpresent active indicative 3rd person singular | convicts | 1× |
| elenchotōἐλέγχεται | happening now · he/she/itpresent middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular | convicted | 1× |
| elenchatiἐλέγξει | will happen · he/she/itfuture active indicative 3rd person singular | convict | 1× |
| elenchiteiaἐλεγχθῇ | happened · he/she/itaorist passive subjunctive 3rd person singular | exposed | 1× |
| elenchasōrἔλεγχε | happening now · youpresent active imperative 2nd person singular | rebuke | 3× |
| elenchavōrἐλέγχετε | happening now · yepresent active imperative 2nd person plural | expose | 1× |
| elenchasarἔλεγξον | happened · youaorist active imperative 2nd person singular | reprove | 2× |
| elencharōἐλέγχειν | happening now · the “to …” formpresent active infinitive | refute | 1× |
| elencharaἐλέγξαι | happened · the “to …” formaorist active infinitive | convict | 1× |
| elenchorōntosἐλεγχόμενος | happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle nominative singular masculine | rebuked | 2× |
| elenchorōntoisἐλεγχόμενοι | happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle nominative plural masculine | convicted | 2× |
| elenchorōnteimἐλεγχόμενα | happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle direct plural neuter | exposed | 1× |
Every form the New Testament uses, in paradigm order. What the system can build beyond them — the whole of this verb, whether the text happens to use it or not — is in the tables below.
Every form the system can build — all 172, by mood, including the ones the New Testament never uses
Statements — indicative mood, 4 occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | was happening imperfect | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect | had happened pluperfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchamō1×ἐλέγχω | elenchame | elenchami | elenchama | elenchamē | elenchamelē |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchasō | elenchase | elenchasi | elenchasa | elenchasē | elenchaselē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchatō1×ἐλέγχει | elenchate | elenchati1×ἐλέγξει | elenchata | elenchatē | elenchatelē |
| we 1st person plural | elenchanō | elenchane | elenchani | elenchana | elenchanē | elenchanelē |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchavō | elenchave | elenchavi | elenchava | elenchavē | elenchavelē |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchalō | elenchale | elenchali | elenchala | elenchalē | elenchalelē |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present | was happening imperfect | has happened perfect | had happened pluperfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchomō | elenchome | elenchomē | elenchomelē |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchosō | elenchose | elenchosē | elenchoselē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchotō1×ἐλέγχεται | elenchote | elenchotē | elenchotelē |
| we 1st person plural | elenchonō | elenchone | elenchonē | elenchonelē |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchovō | elenchove | elenchovē | elenchovelē |
| they 3rd person plural | elencholō | elenchole | elencholē | elencholelē |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | will happen future | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchimi | elenchima |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchisi | elenchisa |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchiti | elenchita |
| we 1st person plural | elenchini | elenchina |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchivi | elenchiva |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchili | elenchila |
May, might — subjunctive mood, 1 occurrence
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchameiō | elenchameia | elenchameiē |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchaseiō | elenchaseia | elenchaseiē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchateiō | elenchateia | elenchateiē |
| we 1st person plural | elenchaneiō | elenchaneia | elenchaneiē |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchaveiō | elenchaveia | elenchaveiē |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchaleiō | elenchaleia | elenchaleiē |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchomeiō | elenchomeiē |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchoseiō | elenchoseiē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchoteiō | elenchoteiē |
| we 1st person plural | elenchoneiō | elenchoneiē |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchoveiō | elenchoveiē |
| they 3rd person plural | elencholeiō | elencholeiē |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchimeia |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchiseia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchiteia1×ἐλεγχθῇ |
| we 1st person plural | elenchineia |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchiveia |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchileia |
Commands — imperative mood, 6 occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | elenchasōr3×ἔλεγχε | elenchasar2×ἔλεγξον | elenchasēr |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchatōr | elenchatar | elenchatēr |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchavōr1×ἐλέγχετε | elenchavar | elenchavēr |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchalōr | elenchalar | elenchalēr |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | elenchosōr | elenchosēr |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchotōr | elenchotēr |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchovōr | elenchovēr |
| they 3rd person plural | elencholōr | elencholēr |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | elenchisar |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchitar |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchivar |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchilar |
Wishes — optative mood, no occurrences
the subject acts active voice
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchamoiō | elenchamoia |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchasoiō | elenchasoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchatoiō | elenchatoia |
| we 1st person plural | elenchanoiō | elenchanoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchavoiō | elenchavoia |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchaloiō | elenchaloia |
acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice
| Who person | happening now present |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchomoiō |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchosoiō |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchotoiō |
| we 1st person plural | elenchonoiō |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchovoiō |
| they 3rd person plural | elencholoiō |
acted on passive voice
| Who person | happened aorist |
|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | elenchimoia |
| you 2nd person singular | elenchisoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | elenchitoia |
| we 1st person plural | elenchinoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | elenchivoia |
| they 3rd person plural | elenchiloia |
The “to …” form — infinitive, 2 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | elencharō1×ἐλέγχειν | elenchari | elenchara1×ἐλέγξαι | elencharē |
| acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice | elenchorō | elenchorē | ||
| acted on passive voice | elenchiri | elenchira |
Used as an adjective — participle, 5 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | elencharōntos | elencharintos | elencharantos | elencharēntos |
| acts on itself, or is acted on middle or passive voice | elenchorōntos5×ἐλεγχόμενος | elenchorēntos | ||
| acted on passive voice | elenchirintos | elenchirantos |
Each is given in the form it takes as a subject. From there a participle carries the ordinary noun endings, in every case, number and gender — so these four columns are the whole of what the verb contributes.
How every form is built — the slots that make them
elench is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.
same in every form varies — every value shown
Words built on the same stem
Other words sharing the exact same stem — not merely related in meaning.
Where it appears
Every verse the word appears in, filed under the form it takes there.
18 occurrences, every one of them listed
elenchamō“reprove”happening now · Ipresent active indicative 1st person singular1×
Revelation 3:19“reprove”mis hosoin ean filameiō elenchamō kai paideuamō; zēleuasōr oun kai metanoasar.Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
elenchatō“convicts”happening now · he/she/itpresent active indicative 3rd person singular1×
John 8:46“convicts”tinos ek vu elenchatō min peri hamartau? ei alētheian legamō, …Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do …
elenchotō“convicted”happening now · he/she/itpresent middle or passive indicative 3rd person singular1×
1 Corinthians 14:24… eiserchateia de tinos apistos ē idiōtos, elenchotō hupo pantoiu, anakrinotō hupo pantoiu,… everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
elenchati“convict”will happen · he/she/itfuture active indicative 3rd person singular1×
John 16:8kai ercharantos ekeinos elenchati ton kosmon peri hamartau kai peri …And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin …
elenchiteia“exposed”happened · he/she/itaorist passive subjunctive 3rd person singular1×
John 3:20… erchotō pros tem fōtem, hina mē elenchiteia teim ergeim autou;… fear that his deeds will be exposed.
elenchasōr“rebuke”happening now · youpresent active imperative 2nd person singular3×
1 Timothy 5:20“rebuke”toin hamartarōntoin enōpion pantoiu elenchasōr, hina kai tois loipois fobon echaleiō.But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
Titus 1:13… houtas atō alēthas. dia han aitian elenchasōr autoin apotomōs, hina hugiainaleiō en ta …This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will …
Titus 2:15Houteim lalasōr kai parakalasōr kai elenchasōr meta pantau epitagau; mēdenos su perifronatōr.… these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one …
elenchavōr“expose”happening now · yepresent active imperative 2nd person plural1×
Ephesians 5:11… akarpei teu skoteu, mallon de kai elenchavōr,… fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
elenchasar“reprove”happened · youaorist active imperative 2nd person singular2×
Matthew 18:15“show … fault”… eis sin tos adelfos su, hupagasōr elenchasar auton metaxu su kai autou monou. …If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have …
2 Timothy 4:2kērussasar ton logon, epistēasar eukairōs akairōs, elenchasar, epitimasar, parakalasar, en panta makrothumia kai …… in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form …
elencharō“refute”happening now · the “to …” formpresent active infinitive1×
Titus 1:9… didaskalia ta hugiainarōnta kai toin antilegarōntoin elencharō.… encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
elenchara“convict”happened · the “to …” formaorist active infinitive1×
Jude 1:15poiara krisian kata pantoiu kai elenchara pantoin toin aseboin peri panteiu teiu …… execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly …
elenchorōntos“rebuked”happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle nominative singular masculine2×
Luke 3:19tos de Hērōdos tos tetraarchos, elenchorōntos hupo autou peri Hērōdiadau tau gunaikau …But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s …
Hebrews 12:5“reproved”… paideiau kuriou, mēde ekluosōr hupo autou elenchorōntos;… lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He …
elenchorōntois“convicted”happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle nominative plural masculine2×
John 8:9… de akouarantois kai hupo tau suneidēsiau elenchorōntois exerchole henos kata henos archerantois apo …When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older …
James 2:9ei de prosōpolēmptavō, hamartan ergazovō, elenchorōntois hupo tou nomou hōs parabatois.… show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
elenchorōnteim“exposed”happening now · subjectpresent middle or passive participle direct plural neuter1×
Ephesians 5:13teim de panteim elenchorōnteim hupo teu fōteu fanerotō,But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for …