True (227) (alethes from a = negates + letho [from lanthano] = to escape notice, be hid; See related word aletheia) is an adjective which literally describes that which does not escape notice. Thus alethes describes that which is manifest, that which is unconcealed, that which conforms to reality (and thus is genuine), that which is in accordance with facts, that which is real (authentic, not imaginary). Alethes is used to describe Jesus several times in the Gospels - Mt 22:16; Mk 12:14; Jn 7:18. Alethes describes that which is true, sincere, real, correct, faithful, trustworthy, genuine, veracious. Alethes can mean loving or speaking the truth (truthful) (Mt 22:16, Mk 12:14, Jn 7:18, 2Cor 6:8). God Himself is referred to as true (Jn 3:33, 8:26, Ro 3:4). Other things described as true include testimony (Jn 5:31,32, 8:13, 14, Jn 19:35, 21:24, 3Jn 1:12), grace (1Pe 5:12), proverb (2Pe 2:22), true commandment (1Jn 2:8). Alethes describes that which conforms to reality, that which is unconcealed, that which is manifest, that which is in accordance with facts, that which is characterized by reality (and thus is genuine), that which is real (authentic, not imaginary). Alethes is used to describe Jesus several times in the Gospels - Mt 22:16; Mk 12:14; Jn 7:18. Renn - The quality of being “true” in the sense of being “endowed with integrity, honesty” describes Christ (Mt 22:16; Mk 12:14; Jn 7:18); God (Jn 8:26; Ro 3:4); and human beings (2Co. 6: 8). In a number of places, alethes denotes the quality “true” in the sense of “that which is in accord with truth” (e.g., Jn 5:31ff.; Jn 8:13ff.; Php. 4:8; Titus 1:13; 1Jn 2: 8, 27). Vine - Alethes means "primarily, "unconcealed, manifest" (a, negative, letho, "to forget," = lanthano, "to escape notice"), hence, actual, "true to fact," is used (a) of persons, "truthful," Mt 22:16 ; Mk 12:14 ; Jn 3:33 ; 7:18 ; 8:26 ; Ro 3:4 ; 2Co 6:8 ; (b) of things, "true," conforming to reality, Jn 4:18 , "truly," lit., "true;" Jn 5:31,32 ; in the best texts, Jn 6:55 (twice), "indeed". (True, Truly, Truth - Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words) Friberg - true; (1) of statements that agree with facts true (Titus 1.13); (2) of things characterized by reality genuine, true, real (Jn 6.55); substantivally true thing, fact (Jn 19.35); (3) of persons characterized by integrity trustworthy, truthful, honest (Ro 3.4), opposite pseudes (lying, false) BDAG (summarized) - 1. Pertaining to being truthful and honest, truthful, righteous, honest of persons. 2. Pertaining to being in accordance with fact, true of things, especially that which is spoken: 3. Pertaining to being real, real, genuine, not imaginary (Pr 1:3Lxx) NASB Usage: real(1), true(21), truly(1), truth(1), truthful(2). Alethes - 26x in 25v - Matthew 22:16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth (aletheia), and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Mark 12:14 They came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? John 3:33 "He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. John 4:18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." John 5:31 "If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 "There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. John 6:55 "For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. John 7:18 "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. John 8:13 So the Pharisees said to Him, "You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true." 14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. John 8:17 "Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. John 8:26 "I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world." John 10:41 Many came to Him and were saying, "While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true." John 19:35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. John 21:24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Acts 12:9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. Romans 3:4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED." 2 Corinthians 6:8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 1 Peter 5:12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 2 Peter 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire." 1 John 2:8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 3 John 1:12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. Alethes - 13v in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Ge 41:32; Dt 13:14; Neh 7:2; Job 5:12; 17:10; 42:7, 8; Pr 1:3; 22:21; Isa 41:26; 43:9; Da 8:26; 10:1 Proverb (3942) (paroimia from pará = by, beside + oÃmos = a way, a highway) is literally something "by the way", a byword which is a short saying illustrating a general principle. It describes a pithy maxim giving expression to some observed event whose content has allegorical import. It also describes a brief communication containing truths designed for initiates and as such can be a veiled saying in which especially lofty ideas are concealed (used especially this way by John) The fact that "proverb" is singular indicates that the message conveyed by the two examples is essentially the same, namely both point out examples of repulsive actions and to the character that these actions reveal. Simply put dogs will act like dogs thus showing that they were dogs all along and the same for pigs. The false actions of the teachers reflect who they really have been all along - false teachers. Furthermore this proverb was well known among the rabbis and the actions described was well known among the pagans. In Peter's day dogs were not pampered pets like they are today! The Jews in fact spoke of the hated Gentiles as “dogs” because a dog was nothing but a filthy scavenger who ran in packs and lived on garbage! Peter chooses a word which is the epitome of disrespect and revulsion to describe these false teachers who have known the truth but have turned away from it. Michael Green - The dog which has got rid of the corruption inside it through vomiting it up cannot leave well enough alone; it goes sniffing around the vomit again. The pig that has got rid of the corruption outside by means of a scrubbing cannot resist rolling in the mud. William Barclay - Peter ends with contempt. These evil men are like dogs who return to their vomit (Proverbs 26:11) or like a sow which has been scrubbed and then goes back to rolling in the mud. They have seen Christ but are so morally degraded by their own choice that they prefer to wallow in the depths of sin rather than to climb the heights of virtue. It is a dreadful warning that a man can make himself such that in the end the tentacles of sin are inextricably around him and virtue for him has lost its beauty. 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