Word Study for G4417 (πταίω) | Strong's Concordance

ptaíō /ptah'-yo/ Ask about this word

Roota form of πίπτω

Meaningto trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation)

KJV usagefall, offend, stumble.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ptaíō — 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 ptaíō, represented by G4417, is a form of πίπτω and means to trip, or figuratively, to err, sin, or stumble, even to the point of failing of salvation. It appears 6 times across 4 unique verses, highlighting its specific but significant role in describing moral and spiritual failings.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G4417 addresses different aspects of spiritual failure. In James, it is used to describe the universal human tendency to err, stating "in many things we offend all" James 3:2. It also carries a legal weight, where to offend in a single point of the law renders one guilty of breaking all of it James 2:10. In Romans, the word is used to pose a rhetorical question: "Have they stumbled that they should fall?", distinguishing a temporary stumble from a permanent state of ruin Romans 11:11. In contrast, 2 Peter uses the term to offer assurance, promising believers that if they are diligent, they will "never fall" 2 Peter 1:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the meaning and consequences of G4417:

G4098 píptō (to fall): As the root word, it often signifies a more complete or final fall. It is used in Romans 11:11 to contrast with the act of stumbling.
G1777 énochos (liable to... guilty of): This term describes the direct result of offending. In James 2:10, one who offends in a single point is guilty of all.
G3900 paráptōma (a side-slip... fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass): This noun is used in Romans 11:11 to refer to the "fall" or transgression of Israel through which salvation came to the Gentiles.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4417 is significant in understanding sin and assurance.

The Inevitability of Error: The word establishes the universal condition of human fallibility, as "in many things we offend all" James 3:2. This is especially true regarding speech, where control signifies spiritual maturity.
The Holistic Nature of Law: The concept that to offend in one point makes a person guilty of the whole law underscores that any sin is an offense against the single will of the Lawgiver James 2:10.
Distinction in Failure: G4417 allows for a crucial distinction between a moral "stumble" and an irreversible "fall" from salvation, giving nuance to the discussion of sin and its consequences Romans 11:11.
Assurance of Stability: The promise that believers can "never fall" provides a powerful message of security, contingent on diligence in faith and calling 2 Peter 1:10.

Summary

In summary, G4417 ptaíō provides a precise term for the act of stumbling, offending, or erring. It functions to explain both the commonality of human sin James 3:2 and the serious nature of any single transgression against God's law James 2:10. Critically, it distinguishes a stumble from a permanent fall Romans 11:11, while also framing the path to spiritual stability and assurance as one of active diligence 2 Peter 1:10. It is a key term for understanding the dynamics of sin, guilt, and perseverance in the Christian life.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".

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 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in James (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

Romans

James

2 Peter

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.