Word Study for G4135 (πληροφορέω)

plērophoréō /play-rof-or-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom πλήρης and φορέω

Meaningto carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish

KJV usagemost surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of plērophoréō — 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 plērophoréō, represented by G4135, conveys the idea of being carried out to the fullest degree. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses. The term's definition, "to carry out fully... completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish," reveals its dual application in scripture: referring both to the complete fulfillment of a task and the establishment of total, unwavering conviction.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G4135 describes both internal certainty and external action. It is used to characterize the core tenets of the faith as those things "which are most surely believed among us" Luke 1:1. Abraham serves as a key example of this internal state, as he was "fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform" Romans 4:21. The term also functions as a command for service. Paul exhorts Timothy to "make full proof of thy ministry" 2 Timothy 4:5, urging him to accomplish it completely. This sense of fulfillment is also seen when Paul reflects that through him, the "preaching might be fully known" 2 Timothy 4:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G4135 is used:

G1743 endynamóō (to empower): This word is directly linked to accomplishing a task. Paul states he was strengthened by the Lord so that the preaching might be fully known 2 Timothy 4:17.
G1415 dynatós (powerful or capable): Abraham's full persuasion was based on his belief that God was able to fulfill His promise, highlighting that conviction is rooted in God's capability Romans 4:21.
G1861 epangéllō (to promise): This word provides the foundation for conviction. Abraham was fully persuaded about what God had promised, showing that biblical assurance is tied to divine declarations Romans 4:21.
G2553 kakopathéō (to undergo hardship): Making "full proof" of one's ministry is explicitly connected to the willingness to endure afflictions, demonstrating that fulfillment often requires perseverance through trials 2 Timothy 4:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4135 is significant, highlighting the nature of faith and Christian duty.

Conviction Rooted in God's Power: The word demonstrates that true belief is not a guess but a full persuasion. This is exemplified by Abraham, whose conviction G4135 was a direct result of his faith in God's power G1415 to perform His promise Romans 4:21.
Fulfillment of Divine Commission: It defines the standard for Christian service. Believers are called to "make full proof" of their ministry, entirely accomplishing the work given to them 2 Timothy 4:5. This is made possible only when one is strengthened G1743 by the Lord 2 Timothy 4:17.
Certainty of the Gospel: Luke's use of G4135 in his opening verse frames the entire gospel narrative as a declaration of events that are "most surely believed," establishing them as foundational and certain truths Luke 1:1.

Summary

In summary, G4135 is a powerful term that bridges the gap between belief and action. It describes both the absolute certainty a believer can have in God's promises and the complete dedication required to fulfill one's ministry. From the foundational "most surely believed" truths of the faith to the personal "full persuasion" in one's own mind, the word underscores a theme of completeness and unwavering assurance.

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 6 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Genitive Plural Neuter 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Passive Imperative 3rd Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.
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.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
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 5 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans and 2 Timothy (2 verses each); never once in the other 24.

Luke

Romans

2 Timothy

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.