To profess
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
21, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Profess as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
Reader summary
Full entry for ἐπαγγέλλω (G1861) · Open the biblical lexicon
21, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Profess as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
The BSB source-word alignment has 15 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include promised (2), [God] has promised (1), [God] promised (1), [the] promise referred (1), have professed (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Mark 14:11. Its strongest book concentrations include Hebrews (4), 1 Timothy (2), James (2), 1 John (1).
G1861 is represented in this Pauline-focused companion by the reviewed display gloss "to profess." In Paul's letters, the term appears in passages such as 1Tim. 2. 10, Gal. 3. 19, Rom. 4. 21, where the local argument determines whether the emphasis is doctrinal, ethical, pastoral, or ministry-related. The companion therefore treats To Profess as a passage-governed word study rather than a detached lexical slogan.
It gives teachers a compact way to notice the term, compare several Pauline settings, and move toward application only after the immediate context has set the boundary. The aim is disciplined clarity: the Greek term can sharpen reading, but it does not replace the grammar, flow, and theological burden of the passage itself.
G1861 appears in Pauline contexts that require close attention to the passage. This companion uses three local anchors to keep the word to profess tied to Paul's argument and pastoral aim.
But with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.
1Tim.2.10 anchors G1861 in a local Pauline context where to profess must be read from the argument of the passage rather than from a bare word list.
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.
Gal.3.19 shows another Pauline setting for the same term, helping teachers compare usage without forcing every occurrence to carry the same emphasis.
Being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.
Rom.4.21 gives a further control text so doctrine and application remain passage-governed and not driven by the gloss alone.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Greek word. to profess
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
15 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
I promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseI promise, profess
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How this verb appears across 15 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
ἐπαγγέλλω is built from these roots:
G1861 helps teachers slow down where English readers may move too quickly. The word can illuminate Paul's reasoning, but only when it is held inside the sentence, paragraph, and letter. Across 1Tim.2.10, Gal.3.19, Rom.4.21, the pastoral value is not novelty. It is the steady discipline of asking how the word serves Paul's gospel logic, church instruction, moral warning, or ministry encouragement in context.
1Tim.2.10
To profess is the reviewed display gloss for G1861. In this Pauline-focused companion, local STEP TAGNT evidence shows about 5 Pauline use(s), with common forms including V-RNI-3S 2, V-PNP-DPF 1, V-PNP-NPM 1. Treat these form signals as support for reading the passage, not as a replacement for context.
The Pauline use of G1861 should be joined to larger biblical theology only through the cited passages and their own contexts. This keeps to profess from becoming a free-floating doctrinal shortcut.
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain