Quick Definition
I hold up as an example
Strong's Definition
to exhibit
Derivation: from G1164 (δεῖγμα);
KJV Usage: make a shew
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
δειγματίζω: 1 aorist ἐδειγματισα; (δεῖγμα); to make an example of, to show as an example; τινα, to expose one to disgrace (cf. παραδειγματίζω, θεατρίζω): Mat_1:19 L T Tr WH; Col_2:15. A word unknown to Greek writers. (Cf. Act. Petr. et Paul. § 33; Winer's Grammar, 25 (24); 91 (87); δειγματισμος occurs on the Rosetta stone, line 30; Boeckh, Inscriptions 4697. Compare: παραδειγματίζω.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
δειγματίζω deigmatizō 2x
to make a public show or spectacle of, Mat_1:19 ; Col_2:15
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
† δειγματίζω
( < δεῖγμα ),
a rare word ( ICC , ll . c .), to make a show of, to expose: Mat_1:19 ( Rec. παραδ -, q.v. ), Col_2:15 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
δειγματίζω [page 137]
This very rare verb may now be illustrated from P Tebt II. 576 (B.C. 14 3), where a list of lands cultivated by δημόσιοι γεωργοί begins ιζ̄ (ἔτους ) σπόρος διγματισ (θεὶς ?) δημ (οσίων ) γεωργ (ῶν ). It is also found along with the subst. in the Greek fragment of the Ascension of Isaiah P Amh I. 1 viii. 21 ἀπὸ το [ῦ δει ]γματισμοῦ ὅτι [ἐ ]δειγμάτισεν τὸν [Σ ]αμαήλ . The subst. occurs in BGU I. 246 .6 (ii/iii A.D.) κινδυνεύω κα [ὶ ταῦ ]τα (?) ἀπολέσαι μετὰ καὶ διγματισμοῦ καλῶς ἐτρήκατε (? l. εὑρήκατε ) καὶ μονείμως ( l. μονίμως ), and in P Gizeh 10271 .12 (in Archiv ii. p. 81) ἕως τοῦ δειγμα [τισμοῦ , and on the Rosetta Stone, OGIS 90 .30 (B.C. 196) τὰ πρὸς τὸν δειγματισμὸν διάφορα , the cost of having them verified. The verb takes an infin. in P Ryl I. 28 .32 (iv/A.D.), where if the ὑπόταυρος quivers, δειγματισθήσεται ὁ τοιοῦτ [ο ]ς ἀπολέσθαι τι κρυφιμαῖον : in .70 διγματ [ι ]σμοὺς καὶ λοιδορίας καὶ κρυφιμαίων πραγμάτων ἐπιφάνιαν seems to mean exposures.
Since δειγματίζω does not begin to appear till long after παραδειγματίζω , it is quite conceivable that παράδειγμα produced the latter verb, and δειγματίζω was shortened from it by the help of the noun δεῖγμα . The early appearance of δειγματισμός (B.C. 196) is the main difficulty, since that is coeval with παραδειγματίζω .
[Supplemental from 1930 edition]
See PSI IV. 442 .18 , note.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
δειγματίζω [Etym: δεῖγμα] "to make a show of", NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
δειγματίζω
(δεῖγμα),
a rare word (ICC, ll. with), to make a show of, to expose: Mat.1:19 (Rec. παραδ-, which see), Col.2:15.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Display (to disgrace) (1165) deigmatizo
Made display (1165) (deigmatizo from deigma = an example from deiknuo = to show, present to one's sight) is literally "made a show of them openly and boldly". To exhibit. To expose. To make a public show or spectacle, such as in a triumphal procession of a victorious general home from the wars, leading his captives and booty in a procession through the streets of Rome. They exposed their captives and the spoils of the conquered enemies to public view in their triumphal processions.
Here in Colossians 2, Christ makes a public exhibition of the vanquished forces, not just by proclamation, but by public display, as in a triumphal procession.
Robertson says that...
No idea of disgrace is necessarily involved in the word.
Lightfoot says deigmatizo describes Christ’s act regarding the principalities and powers, displaying them
“as a victor displays his captives or trophies in a triumphal procession”
The only other NT use (none in the Lxx) of deigmatizo is by Matthew
Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace (deigmatizo = to make public, bring to public notice, to expose) her, desired to put her away secretly.
Public (3954) (parrhesia from pás = all + rhesis = act of speaking > "speaking all things") conveys the idea of freedom to say all. It is that attitude of openness that originates from freedom and lack of fear ("shaking" fear - godly, reverential fear is always appropriate). The Greeks used parrhesia of those with the right to speak openly in the assembly or in public, which is the way Paul uses it here in Colossians 2:15.
Parrhesia - 31x in the NT - Mk. 8:32; Jn. 7:4, 13, 26; 10:24; 11:14, 54; 16:25, 29; 18:20; Acts 2:29; 4:13, 29, 31; 28:31; 2 Co. 3:12; 7:4; Eph. 3:12; 6:19; Phil. 1:20; Col. 2:15; 1 Tim. 3:13; Philemon 1:8; Heb. 3:6; 4:16; 10:19, 35; 1 Jn. 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; 5:14
Commenting on parrhesia in 2Cor 3:12 John MacArthur writes that...
So sure, well established, and irrevocable is the hope provided by the new covenant that those who preach it confidently use great boldness in their speech. They fearlessly and unhesitatingly proclaim the gospel message. Parrhesia (boldness) describes courageous, confident, outspoken proclamation of the gospel, without reluctance or wavering no matter how severe the opposition. Paul unhesitatingly preached the liberating message of the new covenant, even though it enraged his Jewish opponents, who clung fiercely to the old.
The NAS renders parrhesia as boldness(4), boldness of speech(1), confidence(13), confidently(1), openly(2),openness(1), plainly(5), public(1), publicly(3).
Vine comments that parrhesia
"combines the two ideas of unreservedness and openness. Christ made evident to beings, other than human, that which He had accomplished in thwarting absolutely the last great effort against Him and defeating the machinations and endeavors of His spiritual foes." (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos)
Spurgeon commenting on Col 2:15 writes that...
Exhibiting them as his prisoners in a triumphal procession, as the victorious Roman Generals did when they returned from war.
His cross was his triumph. Then he led captivity captive. What more do you want? Your enemy is vanquished, your sins blotted out, your death changed to life, your necessities all supplied. Will you not stay at home with Christ? “Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?” Canst thou have a better lover than thy Lord, a dearer husband than the heavenly Bridegroom? Oh, love the Lord, ye his saints; cling to him, and make much of him; let him be all in all to you!
The Lord Jesus Christ has done everything for his people, fought their battle, won their victory, and, on their behalf, celebrated the triumph in the streets of heaven, “leading captivity captive.” What more, then, do we want? Surely Christ is enough for us.
