### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb νομίζω (nomízō), Strong's `{{G3543}}`, is derived from νόμος (nomos, `{{G3551}}`), meaning "law" or "custom." This etymological root is crucial for understanding its primary semantic range. Properly, νομίζω signifies "to do by law or custom," implying an action or state that is established by convention, tradition, or legal precedent. In its active sense, it can mean "to accustom," while passively, "to be accustomed" or "to be usual/customary."
Beyond this core meaning of established practice, νομίζω extends its semantic reach to the realm of mental estimation. By extension, it comes to mean "to deem," "to suppose," "to think," or "to regard." This shift from external, observable custom to internal, subjective judgment is a significant aspect of the word's usage in the New Testament. It often introduces a belief, an assumption, or a personal opinion, which may or may not align with objective reality or divine truth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, νομίζω appears with both its primary and extended meanings, though the sense of "to suppose" or "to think" predominates.
1. **To Suppose/Think/Deem:** This is the most frequent usage. It often introduces a human perception or assumption, which may contrast with the actual truth.
* In [[Matthew 5:17]], Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets." Here, νομίζω addresses a potential misconception among His listeners regarding His mission. Similarly, in [[Matthew 10:34]], "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth," Jesus corrects a common expectation about the nature of His kingdom.
* The disciples often use νομίζω to express their assumptions. For instance, in [[Luke 2:44]], Mary and Joseph, after finding Jesus missing, "supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey." Their supposition proved incorrect.
* In the book of Acts, νομίζω frequently describes mistaken assumptions: Moses "supposed that his brethren understood" God's deliverance ([[Acts 7:25]]); the crowd at Lystra "supposing him to be dead" dragged Paul out of the city ([[Acts 14:19]]); the jailer at Philippi, seeing the prison doors open, "supposing the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword" ([[Acts 16:27]]); and the Jews in Jerusalem "supposed that Paul had brought him [Trophimus] into the temple" ([[Acts 21:29]]).
* Paul uses νομίζω to express his own judgment or counsel, as in [[1 Corinthians 7:26]]: "I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress." This indicates his considered opinion rather than a divine command.
* A warning against false teaching appears in [[1 Timothy 6:5]], where some are described as "supposing that godliness is a means of gain." This highlights a dangerous misconception about the purpose of piety.
2. **To Be Customary/Usual:** While less frequent, this meaning connects directly to νόμος (law/custom).
* In [[Acts 16:13]], Paul and his companions went "outside the gate by a river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer." The use of νομίζω here suggests they went to a customary or recognized place where Jews would gather for prayer, rather than merely a random spot.
The contextual analysis reveals that νομίζω often functions to introduce a thought, belief, or custom, frequently exposing the limitations or errors of human perception when contrasted with divine reality or true circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of νομίζω is closely linked to several key Greek terms:
* νόμος (nomos, `{{G3551}}`): As the root word, νόμος (law, custom, principle) is foundational. νομίζω literally means "to act according to νόμος" or "to hold as νόμος." This connection underscores the traditional or customary aspect of the word.
* ἔθος (ethos, `{{G1485}}`): Meaning "custom" or "habit," ἔθος is a close synonym for the "customary" sense of νομίζω. While ἔθος emphasizes established habit, νομίζω can encompass both the custom itself and the act of deeming something customary.
* δοκέω (dokeō, `{{G1380}}`): Meaning "to seem," "to suppose," or "to think," δοκέω is a very strong semantic parallel to the "suppose/think" meaning of νομίζω. Both words often introduce subjective opinions or appearances. While δοκέω might emphasize what "seems" to be true, νομίζω often points to what one "holds" or "considers" to be true based on assumption or custom.
* λογίζομαι (logizomai, `{{G3049}}`): Meaning "to reckon," "to consider," or "to compute," λογίζομαι also involves mental processing and judgment. However, λογίζομαι often implies a more deliberate and reasoned calculation, whereas νομίζω can suggest a more immediate or customary assumption.
Together, these words form a network that describes human perception, judgment, and adherence to established norms, highlighting the nuanced ways in which individuals interpret and interact with their world.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of νομίζω primarily lies in its frequent use to highlight human assumptions, often in contrast to divine truth or the reality of God's purposes. When used in the sense of "to suppose" or "to think," it frequently points to:
1. **Misconception and Misunderstanding:** Many occurrences demonstrate how human beings, even those close to Jesus or those who should know better, operate under false premises. Jesus' statements in [[Matthew 5:17]] and [[Matthew 10:34]] directly challenge prevalent human expectations about the Messiah and His kingdom, urging a deeper understanding of God's true agenda.
2. **The Danger of Presumption:** The word can serve as a subtle caution against presumptuous thinking or relying on one's own limited understanding. The examples from Acts, where characters "suppose" something to be true but are mistaken, underscore the fallibility of human judgment and the need for divine revelation or clear evidence.
3. **The Nature of False Teaching:** In [[1 Timothy 6:5]], the "supposition that godliness is a means of gain" exposes a core error in false teaching – a distortion of spiritual truth for worldly profit. This shows νομίζω identifying a deeply flawed theological premise.
4. **Cultural and Religious Norms:** In its "customary" sense, νομίζω can illuminate the role of tradition and cultural practice within biblical narratives. While not always negative, it can sometimes set the stage for Jesus or the apostles to challenge human traditions that supersede divine commands (though this is more directly addressed by terms like παράδοσις (paradosis, `{{G3862}}`)).
Overall, νομίζω often serves as a literary device to set up a contrast between human thought and divine reality, prompting the reader to question their own assumptions and seek a truth grounded in God's word rather than mere supposition or custom.
### Summary
The Greek verb νομίζω (nomízō, `{{G3543}}`) carries a dual semantic weight, stemming from its root νόμος (law/custom). Its primary meaning denotes "to do by law or custom," signifying what is usual or established by tradition. However, its more prevalent usage in the New Testament extends to the realm of cognition, meaning "to suppose," "to think," or "to deem." This latter sense frequently highlights human assumptions, often revealing misconceptions or erroneous judgments, contrasting them with the actual truth or divine purpose. νομίζω thus functions as a crucial term for understanding human perception and its limitations in the biblical narrative, often serving to underscore the need for revelation and a discerning spirit over mere supposition or customary belief.
TRV