### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective `{{G1386}}` (dólios) is derived directly from the noun `{{G1388}}` (dólos), meaning "guile," "deceit," "trickery," or "craft." Consequently, `{{G1386}}` signifies "guileful," "deceitful," or "treacherous." It describes one who is characterized by `{{G1388}}`, possessing or employing deceit as a primary mode of operation. The term implies a deliberate intention to ensnare, mislead, or harm through cunning, artifice, and treachery. It speaks to an active disposition towards deception, contrasting sharply with sincerity, truthfulness, and integrity. The semantic range points to a moral quality of being full of trickery and falsehood, often with malicious intent.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G1386}}` (dólios) appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Romans 3:13]]. In this passage, the Apostle Paul, in his profound indictment of universal human sinfulness, quotes from the Septuagint (LXX) version of [[Psalm 5:9]] (which is [[Psalm 5:10]] in some English translations). The full phrase reads: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit" (KJV) or "Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they have practiced deceit" (ESV).
The context within [[Romans 3]] is crucial. Paul meticulously builds a case for the pervasive sinfulness of both Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating that all humanity stands condemned before a holy God. He draws upon a series of Old Testament passages to paint a vivid picture of human depravity. The phrase "with their tongues they have used deceit" (τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτῶν ἐδολιοῦσαν) specifically links `{{G1386}}` to the faculty of speech. The imagery of an "open grave" for a throat suggests that what issues forth from the mouth is not life-giving, but rather corrupting, deadly, and filled with the stench of spiritual decay. The use of `{{G1386}}` here emphasizes that human communication, left to its own fallen devices, is prone to being not merely mistaken, but actively and intentionally deceptive, serving to ensnare and harm others. This is not a passive error, but an active, guileful practice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct and significant related word is the noun `{{G1388}}` (dólos), from which `{{G1386}}` is derived. `{{G1388}}` encapsulates the very essence of guile, deceit, and trickery. Other related terms in the New Testament that convey similar concepts of deception include:
* `{{G538}}` (apatáō): to deceive, mislead.
* `{{G539}}` (apátē): deceit, deception (noun).
* `{{G4105}}` (planáō): to lead astray, to wander, to deceive.
* `{{G4106}}` (planēs): a deceiver, one who leads astray (noun).
* `{{G558}}` (ágnos): pure, chaste (often used in contrast to deceit).
* `{{G172}}` (akéraios): innocent, unmixed, harmless (antithetical to guile).
* `{{G292}}` (amómos): blameless, without spot or blemish (implying absence of moral defect, including deceit).
The concept of `{{G1386}}` stands in stark opposition to truth (ἀλήθεια), sincerity (ἀπλότης), and integrity. In the Old Testament, parallel concepts are found in words like `{{H4820}}` (mirmah), meaning "deceit" or "treachery," and `{{H7423}}` (ramiyyah), also "deceit" or "guile," often associated with the tongue or heart. The Septuagint's use of `{{G1386}}` in [[Psalm 5:9]] (LXX) directly connects this Greek term to the Hebrew prophetic and wisdom tradition's condemnation of falsehood.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G1386}}` (dólios) is profound, particularly in its singular New Testament occurrence.
1. **Nature of Sin:** `{{G1386}}` illuminates a specific, insidious aspect of human sinfulness: the active, intentional use of cunning and falsehood. It is not merely a mistake or an error in judgment, but a deliberate perversion of truth and communication for self-serving or malicious ends. This aligns with a broader biblical understanding that sin is often characterized by rebellion, deceit, and a turning away from God's truth.
2. **Universal Depravity:** In [[Romans 3:13]], `{{G1386}}` serves as a testament to the pervasive nature of human depravity. It underscores Paul's argument that all humanity, regardless of background, is infected with sin, manifesting in corrupt speech and deceptive practices. This highlights the deep spiritual sickness that requires divine intervention for healing.
3. **Contrast with God's Character:** The deceitful nature described by `{{G1386}}` stands in absolute antithesis to the character of God. God is inherently truthful, faithful, and without guile. [[Titus 1:2]] speaks of God "who never lies," and [[Hebrews 6:18]] states it is "impossible for God to lie." Furthermore, Christ Himself is described as being "without sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth" (`{{G1388}}` - [[1 Peter 2:22]]). This stark contrast emphasizes the alien nature of deceit to the divine.
4. **Ethical Call for Believers:** While `{{G1386}}` describes the fallen human condition, believers are called to put away such practices. The New Testament consistently exhorts Christians to speak truth ([[Ephesians 4:25]]), to be sincere, and to live without guile. [[1 Peter 2:1]] explicitly calls believers to "rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit" (`{{G1388}}`). This transformation is a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of true discipleship.
5. **Satanic Influence:** Deceit is a hallmark of Satan, who is called the "father of lies" ([[John 8:44]]) and one who "deceives the whole world" ([[Revelation 12:9]]). While `{{G1386}}` is not directly applied to Satan, the concept it embodies is central to his modus operandi against God and humanity.
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G1386}}` (dólios) precisely means "guileful" or "deceitful," describing a character or action marked by cunning and treachery. Its single, yet powerful, occurrence in [[Romans 3:13]] within Paul's indictment of universal sinfulness underscores that humanity's fallen state includes the active practice of deceptive speech. Derived from `{{G1388}}` (dólos), it highlights an intentional perversion of truth, standing in stark opposition to the integrity of God and the sincerity to which believers are called. Theologically, `{{G1386}}` serves as a grim descriptor of human depravity, a characteristic utterly alien to God's nature, and a behavior from which all who follow Christ must turn away.
TRV