### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G3919 (παρεισάγω, *pareiságō*) is a compound word formed from the preposition παρά (*pará*), meaning "beside," "alongside," or "contrary to," and the verb εἰσάγω (*eiságō*), meaning "to lead in" or "to bring in." The prefix παρά adds a crucial nuance, indicating an introduction that is not open or legitimate, but rather clandestine, surreptitious, or even illegitimate. Thus, the core meaning of G3919 is "to lead in alongside secretly," "to introduce surreptitiously," "to smuggle in," or "to bring in by the side door." It conveys the idea of an unauthorized, deceptive, or insidious introduction, often for corrupting purposes. The action is not transparent but hidden, aiming to subvert from within.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb G3919 appears only once in the New Testament, but its singular occurrence is profoundly significant for understanding the nature of spiritual deception:
* **[[2 Peter 2:1]]**: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
In this critical passage, Peter warns the believers about the insidious threat of "false teachers" (ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι, `{{G5579}}`) who will emerge from within the community. The use of G3919 (παρεισάγω) to describe their method of operation—"privily shall bring in" (παρεισάξουσιν)—is highly intentional. It highlights that these "damnable heresies" (αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας, `{{G139}}` `{{G684}}`) are not introduced overtly or with clear declaration. Instead, they are slipped in secretly, subtly, and deceptively, often appearing harmless or even appealing on the surface. The term underscores the clandestine and subversive nature of these false doctrines, which aim to corrupt the truth from within the church, much like a Trojan horse. This surreptitious introduction makes them particularly dangerous, as they can gain a foothold before their destructive nature is fully recognized.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept expressed by G3919 is illuminated by its relationship to other Greek terms and theological ideas:
* **`{{G1525}}` εἰσέρχομαι (*eiserchomai*)**: "to go in," "to enter." While εἰσάγω is the root verb for "to bring in," εἰσέρχομαι is a more general term for entering, lacking the specific negative or surreptitious connotation of G3919. The "para" prefix is key to distinguishing G3919.
* **`{{G139}}` αἵρεσις (*hairesis*)**: "heresy," "sect," "choice." This word is directly linked in [[2 Peter 2:1]] as the object of what is "privily brought in." Heresies are not just errors, but often divisive and destructive deviations from foundational truth.
* **`{{G5579}}` ψευδοδιδάσκαλος (*pseudodidaskalos*)**: "false teacher." This term describes the agent who performs the action of G3919.
* **`{{G5571}}` ψευδοπροφήτης (*pseudoprophētēs*)**: "false prophet." Similar to false teachers, these individuals are also agents of deception.
* **`{{G3846}}` παρεισδύνω (*pareisdynō*)**: "to creep in unawares," "to slip in." Used in [[Jude 1:4]] to describe ungodly persons who have "crept in unawares." This word shares the παρά prefix and a similar semantic range of clandestine entry, focusing more on the person's stealthy arrival rather than the doctrine's introduction.
* **`{{G3920}}` παρεισέρχομαι (*pareiserchomai*)**: "to come in by the side," "to slip in." Used in [[Romans 5:20]] regarding the Law "coming in" alongside sin, not necessarily with a negative connotation there, but showing the "alongside" aspect of παρά.
The overarching concept is one of stealth, deception, and internal subversion, often contrasted with open, truthful proclamation.
### Theological Significance
The single use of G3919 in [[2 Peter 2:1]] carries immense theological weight, serving as a profound warning to the church across all ages.
1. **The Nature of Spiritual Deception**: It reveals that spiritual threats often do not manifest as overt, external attacks, but as subtle, internal corruptions. False teachings are "privily brought in," meaning they are introduced in a way that avoids immediate detection, often by cloaking themselves in familiar language or appearing to align with truth. This necessitates constant vigilance and discernment among believers.
2. **The Danger of Internal Subversion**: The passage warns that the most damaging heresies often arise from within the community of faith, introduced by those who outwardly appear to be teachers or leaders. This internal subversion is particularly perilous because it erodes trust and corrupts the very foundations of faith from within.
3. **The Destructive Power of Heresy**: The "damnable heresies" introduced by these false teachers lead to "swift destruction" for those who embrace them. The surreptitious nature of their introduction does not lessen their ultimate destructive power.
4. **Call to Discernment**: The use of G3919 implicitly calls believers to a heightened sense of discernment. Since errors are "slipped in," believers must be deeply rooted in sound doctrine (`{{G1319}}` διδασκαλία) and able to test the spirits ([[1 John 4:1]]) to identify and resist such subtle deceptions. The imagery evokes "wolves in sheep's clothing" ([[Matthew 7:15]]), where the true nature is hidden by a deceptive exterior.
### Summary
G3919 (παρεισάγω, *pareiságō*) signifies "to introduce secretly," "to bring in surreptitiously," or "to smuggle in." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[2 Peter 2:1]] is pivotal, describing the method by which "false teachers" introduce "damnable heresies" into the church. This singular usage powerfully highlights the insidious and deceptive nature of spiritual error, which often does not present itself openly but rather infiltrates clandestinely. The word serves as a crucial theological warning, underscoring the danger of internal subversion within the body of Christ and the imperative for believers to exercise vigilant discernment against doctrines that are "privily brought in" to corrupt and destroy.
TRV