What Does Acts 18:4 Mean in the King James?
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated “persuaded” shares its Greek root with “trust” and “confidence,” making this exchange about where conviction can rest, not merely who wins a debate.
THE MEANING
Here, reasoning is an exchange where a claim is examined in words; persuasion names movement toward conviction. The weekly Sabbath gives that exchange a recurring place within a rhythm of stopping.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It loosens the idea that persuasion bypasses thought: here, being persuaded sits beside reasoned examination.
THE ROOT
ἔπειθεν
epeithen
GROWS FROM
πείθω (peithō), stem πειθ-
To persuade or convince; in related forms, to be persuaded, trust, or have confidence.
“persuaded” in this verse is epeithen. The same root names both persuading someone and the hearer’s trust or confidence. The word therefore carries a movement toward inward conviction, beyond a verbal win.
ALSO GROWS
peithomai: Be persuaded; trust or obey.
πείθομαι
This form shows the hearer’s side of persuasion: receiving words as credible enough to trust or follow.
pepoitha: Have confidence; trust.
πέποιθα
This related form makes visible the settled confidence that can grow from being persuaded.
διελέγετο
dielegeto
GROWS FROM
λέγω (legō), “speak” or “say”; διά (dia), “through” or “across,” shapes the compound διαλέγομαι (dialegomai)
To speak through an exchange: converse, discuss, or reason together.
The Greek verb describes speech exchanged between people, not only thought happening inside one person. “Reasoned” here holds the sense of examining words together.
ALSO GROWS
logos: Word, message, or account.
λόγος
This related word keeps attention on the words and message being considered.
dialogos: Dialogue or exchange of speech.
διάλογος
This related form makes the conversational shape of the reasoning explicit.
THE PATTERN
Conviction grows where words are examined in thoughtful exchange and answered with care.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.THE THREAD
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.The word translated “believed” is ἐπείθοντο (epeithonto), from πείθω (peithō), the same root behind “persuaded” here. The response becomes visible: the same spoken words persuade some, while others remain unconvinced.
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