δίλογος

Pronunciation Guide: dee-log’-os (with emphasis on the first syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1351: The Greek word δίλογος (dilogos) refers to someone who is “double-tongued” or “double-speaking,” describing a person who says one thing to one person and something contradictory to another. This rare biblical term specifically denotes deceptive speech characterized by inconsistency, insincerity, and a lack of integrity. In its biblical context, it highlights the importance of truthful communication, especially among those serving in church leadership positions.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adjective
• Origin: Compound word from δίς (dis, “twice”) + λόγος (logos, “word, speech”)
• Language origin: Koine Greek
• Primary usage: Instructional/teaching contexts, specifically in Pastoral Epistles
• Occurs only once in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:8)
• Used in ethical instruction regarding qualifications for church leadership

δίλογος Morphology:

• δίλογος (masculine nominative singular) – double-tongued person
• διλόγου (masculine genitive singular) – of a double-tongued person
• διλόγῳ (masculine dative singular) – to/for a double-tongued person
• δίλογον (masculine accusative singular) – a double-tongued person
• δίλογοι (masculine nominative plural) – double-tongued people

Origin & History

The compound term δίλογος is relatively rare in classical Greek literature, making its New Testament usage particularly significant. The concept it embodies, however, of duplicitous speech and inconsistency in communication, was well-established in both Greco-Roman and Jewish ethical traditions. In Greek ethical philosophy, particularly among Stoic writers such as Epictetus in his “Discourses,” consistency between speech and action was highly valued as a mark of moral character.

In the Septuagint (LXX), while the specific term δίλογος does not appear, the concept it represents is present in passages condemning deceptive speech, such as in Proverbs 11:13 and Psalm 12:2-3. Early Church Father John Chrysostom, in his homilies on 1 Timothy, expands on this concept, describing the δίλογος person as one whose “tongue contradicts the heart,” emphasizing how such behavior destroys trust within the community of believers and undermines the integrity expected of those who serve.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• One who says different things to different people, typically to curry favor or avoid conflict
• A person who speaks with duplicity, saying one thing but meaning another
• Someone whose words lack consistency, changing their message depending on the audience
• A hypocritical speaker whose actions contradict their words

δίλογος Translation Options:

• Double-tongued – Captures the literal meaning of speaking two different ways and is the most common translation
• Two-faced – Conveys the moral dimension of insincerity but shifts the metaphor from speech to appearance
• Deceitful in speech – More explanatory translation that clarifies the nature of the deception
• Inconsistent in word – Emphasizes the unreliability aspect without necessarily implying malicious intent
• Speaking with duplicity – Formal rendering that preserves both the duality and the speech aspects

Biblical Usage

The term δίλογος appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 3:8, where Paul lists qualifications for deacons: “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued [διλόγους], not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.” The rarity of this term makes its inclusion in the qualifications for church leadership particularly noteworthy. Paul clearly considered truthful, consistent speech a non-negotiable quality for those who would serve the ekklesia (church).

While the specific term appears only once, the concept it represents—integrity and consistency in speech—is a recurring biblical theme. In his epistle, James extensively addresses the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue (James 3:1-12) and the importance of matching words with actions (James 2:14-26). Yeshua (Jesus) Himself condemned hypocritical speech, particularly among religious leaders who said one thing but did another (Matthew 23:1-36).

• “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued [διλόγους], not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.” 1 Timothy 3:8

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, public speech and rhetoric were highly valued skills. Professional rhetoricians were admired for their ability to argue multiple sides of an issue, a practice known as “in utramque partem” (on both sides). While this was considered intellectual prowess in academic settings, such verbal flexibility was viewed with suspicion in matters of personal character and leadership. The Roman statesman Cicero, in his work “De Officiis,” emphasized that trustworthiness in speech was fundamental to social order and leadership.

For the Jewish community, the concept of δίλογος would have resonated with teachings from wisdom literature about the dangers of a “double heart” (לב ולב, lev va-lev). In Psalm 12:2, David laments those who “speak with double heart” (literally “with heart and heart”), a Hebrew idiom describing duplicity. This cultural background helps us understand why Paul would specifically forbid δίλογος speech among deacons, who needed to be trusted by all members of a diverse congregation that included both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Theological Significance

The prohibition against being δίλογος reflects the character of יהוה (Yahweh) Himself, who is consistently described throughout Scripture as a God of truth who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2). When Paul instructs that deacons must not be double-tongued, he is calling them to reflect the divine nature in their speech. The Messiah Yeshua embodied this perfect integrity, declaring “let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’” (Matthew 5:37).

This principle goes beyond mere truthfulness; it speaks to the wholeness and unity expected of those who follow the Messiah. A divided tongue reveals a divided heart, and Scripture consistently calls believers to wholehearted devotion. James warns against being “double-minded” (δίψυχος, dipsychos – literally “two-souled”), which he associates with instability (James 1:8). The prohibition against δίλογος speech thus connects to the biblical emphasis on integrity, where one’s inner commitment to God aligns perfectly with outward speech and action.

Personal Application

In our modern world of carefully curated social media personas and tailored messages for different audiences, the warning against being δίλογος is remarkably relevant. We might ask ourselves: Do I present the same message and values regardless of who is listening? Do I speak differently about people when they are absent versus present? Integrity in speech requires courage—the willingness to stand by our convictions even when unpopular and to speak truth consistently in all contexts.

As followers of the Messiah, we are called to a higher standard of communication than the world around us. This means not just avoiding outright lies but also the subtle duplicity of telling different people different versions of the truth. When we commit to being single-tongued rather than double-tongued, we not only honor God but also build deeper, more authentic relationships characterized by trust rather than suspicion.

Related Words

• ἁπλότης (haplotēs, hap-lot’-ace) – sincerity, singleness of heart, the opposite of being double-tongued; describes the quality of being straightforward without hidden agendas or deception. See G572
• δίψυχος (dipsychos, dip’-soo-khos) – double-minded, having two souls; closely related to δίλογος but focuses on internal division rather than external speech. See G1374
• ὑποκριτής (hypokritēs, hoop-ok-ree-tace’) – hypocrite, actor; someone who pretends to be what they are not, similar to δίλογος in the disconnect between appearance and reality. See G5273
• ψεύστης (pseustēs, psyoos-tace’) – liar; while δίλογος refers to inconsistent speech, ψεύστης identifies someone who deliberately speaks falsehood. See G5583
• γλῶσσα (glōssa, gloce’-sah) – tongue, language; the physical organ used for speech, often used metaphorically in discussions of speech ethics related to δίλογος. See G1100

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient business contracts from the Greco-Roman world, there was sometimes a specific clause prohibiting διλογία (dilogia, the noun form of δίλογος)? These “no double-talk” clauses were designed to prevent deceptive business practices and ensure all parties received consistent information. This shows how seriously the ethical issue of double-speech was taken in the ancient marketplace, providing context for why Paul would include this qualification for those handling church affairs.
• Did you know that modern psychologists have a term similar to δίλογος called “cognitive dissonance,” which describes the mental discomfort that occurs when a person holds contradictory beliefs or values? While δίλογος refers specifically to contradictory speech, both concepts recognize that internal inconsistency creates tension and, ultimately, dysfunction in human behavior. The biblical prohibition against being δίλογος can thus be seen as promoting not only ethical behavior but also psychological wholeness.
• Did you know that in rabbinic Judaism, there developed a concept called “speaking with one mouth and one heart” (פה אחד ולב אחד, peh echad v’lev echad), which became an important virtue in Jewish ethics? This ideal of complete consistency between speech and thought closely parallels the New Testament’s condemnation of being δίλογος. This shared ethical value created common ground between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early Messianic communities, emphasizing that integrity in speech transcended cultural boundaries.

Remember This

Δίλογος reminds us that God values consistency and integrity in our speech, calling us to be the same person with the same message regardless of our audience—a reflection of His own unchanging nature.