"falsehood, Jn. 8:44; Eph. 4:25; 2 Thess. 2:9, 11; 1 Jn. 2:21, 27; in NT religious falsehood, perversion of religious truth, false religion, Rom. 1:25; the practices of false religion, Rev. 14:15; 21:27; 22:15*"
Definition and meaning
falsehood, Jn. 8:44; Eph. 4:25; 2 Thess. 2:9, 11; 1 Jn. 2:21, 27; in NT religious falsehood, perversion of religious truth, false religion, Rom. 1:25; the practices of false religion, Rev. 14:15; 21:27; 22:15*
In the original Greek the word is written: ψεῦδος
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pseudos (G5579) across the King James Bible.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
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Common questions
Strong's G5579 (pseudos) is a Greek word that means: falsehood, Jn. 8:44; Eph. 4:25; 2 Thess. 2:9, 11; 1 Jn. 2:21, 27; in NT religious falsehood, perversion of religious truth, false religion, Rom. 1:25; the practices of false religion, Rev. 14:15; 21:2... It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word pseudos (G5579) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5579 is pseudos, a Greek word defined as: falsehood, Jn. 8:44; Eph. 4:25; 2 Thess. 2:9, 11; 1 Jn. 2:21, 27; in NT religious falsehood, perversion of religious truth, false religion, Rom. 1:25;. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pseudos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.