The Greek word dolióō, represented by G1387, means to be guileful or to use deceit. It is a rare term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its meaning is rooted in the concept of using craftiness and trickery, particularly through speech.
The sole appearance of G1387 is in Romans 3:13, where it is part of a larger description of human sinfulness. The verse states, "with their tongues they have used deceit," directly linking the action of being guileful to the tongue. This use is set within a series of powerful metaphors, where the throat is compared to an "open sepulchre" and the lips hold the "poison of asps," emphasizing the deadly and corrupting nature of deceptive speech.
Several related words from its biblical context illuminate the meaning of G1387:
- G1100 glōssa (the tongue): This is the instrument through which deceit is enacted in Romans 3:13. It is often depicted as a source of both good and evil, as in James 3:6 where the tongue is called "a fire, a world of iniquity."
- G2995 lárynx (the throat): In the context of the verse, the throat is described as an "open sepulchre," creating a vivid image of how deceitful words originate from a place of spiritual death and decay Romans 3:13.
- G5028 táphos (a grave): This word is used metaphorically to describe the throat, linking deceit to the uncleanness and finality of a sepulchre Romans 3:13.
- G2447 iós (venom): The result of deceitful speech is described as poison, specifically the venom of asps, highlighting its deadly effect on others Romans 3:13. The same word is used in James 3:8 to describe the tongue as being "full of deadly poison."
- G5491 cheîlos (a lip): The lips are identified as the location where the "poison of asps" resides, reinforcing the idea that speech is the primary vehicle for this destructive guile Romans 3:13.
The theological weight of G1387 is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
- The Corruption of Speech: The use of G1387 in Romans 3:13 is a key part of the argument for humanity's universal sinfulness. It demonstrates that sin corrupts the fundamental human ability to communicate, turning the tongue into an instrument of guile.
- Deceit as a Sign of Death: By associating a deceitful tongue with a throat that is an "open sepulchre" G5028, the scripture theologically links guileful words with spiritual death and moral decay.
- The Destructive Power of Words: The imagery of the "poison G2447 of asps G785" under the lips illustrates that deceit is not a harmless act. It is presented as actively toxic and lethal, capable of inflicting deep harm.
In summary, while G1387 appears only once, its placement in Romans 3:13 gives it significant theological weight. It encapsulates the concept of guileful and crafty communication as a profound symptom of human sin. By linking this deceit with metaphors of the grave and poison, the Bible portrays it not as a simple falsehood, but as a destructive force rooted in a heart separated from God.
TRV