Word Study for G1252 (διακρίνω)

diakrínō /dee-ak-ree'-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom διά and κρίνω

Meaningto separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate

KJV usagecontend, make (to) differ(-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of diakrínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word diakrínō, represented by G1252, means to separate thoroughly. It appears 24 times across 18 unique verses in the Bible. Based on its components, διά and κρίνω, its core meaning involves thorough separation, which extends to figurative uses like discriminating, deciding, or hesitating. As a result, it is translated in various ways, including to doubt, judge, contend, discern, or make a difference.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1252 is applied in several critical contexts. It frequently describes a state of spiritual hesitation or doubt. For instance, a believer who wavereth is likened to a wave of the sea James 1:6, and faith-filled prayer requires that one does not doubt in the heart Mark 11:23. Conversely, the term is used to describe making a distinction or judgment. God put no difference between groups of believers, purifying all by faith Acts 15:9. It is also used in the context of discernment, such as when Jesus points out that people can discern the weather from the sky but fail to discern the signs of the times Matthew 16:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the meanings of G1252:

G2919 krínō (to distinguish, i.e. decide): As the root of diakrínō, this word carries the foundational meaning of making a decision or judgment. This is seen in the call for believers who would judge G1252 themselves to avoid being judged G2919 1 Corinthians 11:31.
G1261 dialogismós (discussion... reasoning, thought): This term relates to the internal process of consideration or doubting. Being partial G1252 is connected to being judges of evil thoughts James 2:4.
G1256 dialégomai (to say thoroughly, i.e. discuss): This word aligns with the sense of contending or disputing. The archangel Michael was contending G1252 with the devil and disputed G1256 about the body of Moses Jude 1:9.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1252 is significant, highlighting key principles of the Christian walk.

Faith versus Doubt: The word consistently frames doubt as an obstacle to faith. Abraham is commended because he staggered not at God's promise through unbelief Romans 4:20. Conversely, the one who doubteth and acts without faith is condemned Romans 14:23.
The Call to Discernment: Believers are responsible for proper judgment. This includes discerning the Lord's body 1 Corinthians 11:29 and being able to judge disputes within the community 1 Corinthians 6:5. A failure to judge oneself can lead to judgment 1 Corinthians 11:31.
Impartiality and Distinction: God's standard is one of impartiality, as He put no difference between believers from different backgrounds Acts 15:9. This contrasts with sinful partiality, where humans become judges with evil thoughts James 2:4. Yet, believers are also called to make a difference in how they show compassion Jude 1:22.

Summary

In summary, G1252 is a dynamic term that captures the act of separation in multiple forms. From the internal hesitation of one who doubteth or wavereth in faith, to the external act of judging, discerning, or contending, the word challenges believers to move from indecision to conviction. It ultimately underscores the importance of unwavering faith, righteous judgment, and discerning the will of God without sinful partiality.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 19 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Middle Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 5×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Imperfect Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Imperfect Middle Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Imperative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

+ 3 rarer forms

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 18 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (5 verses); never once in the other 20.

Matthew

Mark

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

James

Jude

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.