Quick Definition
I testify earnestly
Strong's Definition
to attest further, i.e. corroborate
Derivation: from G1909 (ἐπί) and G3140 (μαρτυρέω);
KJV Usage: testify
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπιμαρτυρέω, ἐπιμαρτύρω; to bear witness to, establish by testimony: followed by the accusative with an infinitive, 1Pe_5:12. (Plato, Josephus, Plutarch, Lucian, others) (Compare: συνεπιμαρτυρέω.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπιμαρτυρέω epimartyreō 1x
to bear testimony to; to testify solemnly, 1Pe_5:12
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* ἐπι -μαρτυρέω , -ῶ ,
to bear witness to: c . acc et . inf ., 1Pe_5:12 ,†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπιμαρτυρέω [page 241]
For this verb = bear witness to, which is found in the NT only in 1Pe_5:12 , cf. P Leid W xxiv. 1 (ii/iii A.D.) ἐπιμαρτυροῦντος μηδενὸς κακοποιοῦ Κρόνου . The stronger form ἐπιμαρτύρομαι (cf. 1Ma_2:56 ) occurs e.g. in P Petr II. 17 (3) .11 οὐδ᾽ ἐπεμαρτύρατό με ᾽Α neither did A. appeal to me, P Grenf I. 38 .15 (ii/i B.C.) περὶ ὧν (particulars of an assault) τοὺς παρόντας ἐπεμαρτυράμην , I called those present to witness.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐπιμαρτυρέω fut. ήσω "to bear witness to" a thing, "to depose", Plat. , etc. in Mid. "to adjure", τινὶ μὴ ποιεῖν τι Hdt.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐπι-μαρτυρέω, -ῶ
to bear witness to: with accusative and inf., 1Pe.5:12,†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Testify (1957) epimartureo
Testifying (1957) (epimartureo from epà = upon, an intensifier + martureo = witness) means to attest further (attest = affirm to be true or genuine; authenticate by signing as a witness, authenticate officially), affirm (implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith), to bear witness, to corroborate (support with evidence or authority: make more certain - this word suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established), to supply evidence that, to confirm that fact by evidence, to testify emphatically or to appear as a witness decidedly for something. The idea of testify is that one provides information about a person or an event concerning which the speaker has direct knowledge.
This verb is used only by Peter in the NT and emphasizes the idea of confirmation, the force being that Peter is "earnestly testifying" (present tense indicates continuous action)
Barnes comments that testifying or
Bearing witness (was) the main design of the office of the apostles was to bear witness to the truth, and Peter in this Epistle discharged that part of the functions of his office toward the scattered Christians of Asia Minor." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
True (alethes from a = without + letho, older form of lantháno = be hid) is literally "not be hid" and thus that which is true, conforming to reality, unconcealed, manifest, in accordance with fact.
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