Lexical Summary
nomizó: To think, suppose, assume, consider, or believe.
Original Word: νομίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nomizó
Pronunciation: no-MEE-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (nom-id'-zo)
KJV: suppose, thing, be wont
NASB: supposed, think, supposing, thought, suppose, thinks
Word Origin: [from G3551 (νόμος - Law)]
1. (properly) to do by law
2. (commonly) to accustom, to make a habit or practice
3. (passively) to be usual, to be a habit
4. (by extension) to deem or regard
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
suppose
From nomos; properly, to do by law (usage), i.e. To accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard -- suppose, thing, be wont.
see GREEK nomos
HELPS Word-studies
3543 nomízō (from 3551 /nómos, "law") – properly, to suppose (assume) that something applies (or is derived from); to assume a prevailing custom (law, practice).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
nomosDefinitionto practice, consider
NASB Translationsuppose (1), supposed (4), supposing (3), think (4), thinks (1), thought (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3543: νομίζωνομίζω; imperfect
ἐνόμιζον; 1 aorist
ἐνομισα; imperfect passive
ἐνομιζομην; (
νόμος); as in Greek authors from
Aeschylus and
Herodotus down;
1. to hold by custom or usage, own as a custom or usage; to follow custom or usage; passive νομίζεται it is the custom, it is the received usage: οὗ ἐνομίζετο προσευχή εἶναι, where according to custom was a place of prayer, Acts 16:13 (but L T Tr WH read οὗ ἐνομίζομεν προσευχήν εἶναι, where we supposed there was, etc.; cf. 2 below), (2 Macc. 14:4).
2. to deem, think, suppose: followed by an infinitive, Acts 8:20; 1 Corinthians 7:36; followed by an accusative with an infinitive, Luke 2:44; Acts 7:25; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:(18 (see 1 above)), Acts 16:27; Acts 17:29; 1 Corinthians 7:26; 1 Timothy 6:5; followed by ὅτι, Matthew 5:17; Matthew 10:34 (Winer's Grammar, § 56, 1 b.); Matthew 20:10; Acts 21:29; ὡς ἐνομίζετο, as was accustomed to be supposed, Luke 3:23. (Synonym: see ἡγέομαι, at the end.)
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Use in ScriptureIn the New Testament the verb translated “suppose,” “consider,” or “presume” appears fifteen times (for example, Matthew 5:17; Acts 17:29; 1 Timothy 6:5). It marks points where human expectation meets divine reality, exposing the limits of natural reasoning and the need for revelation.
Assumptions Challenged by Christ
Jesus twice warns His hearers not to form the wrong conclusions about His mission: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets” (Matthew 5:17) and “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth” (Matthew 10:34). The verb highlights widespread but faulty expectations that He immediately corrects with authoritative truth.
Everyday Presumptions in the Gospels
Luke shows how ordinary assumptions can hide extraordinary realities. Joseph and Mary “supposed that He was in their company” (Luke 2:44), yet the boy Jesus was back in the temple. Later, Jesus “was, as was supposed, the son of Joseph” (Luke 3:23), pointing to the incarnation’s hidden mystery.
Tension Between Custom and Revelation in Acts
Eight uses in Acts illustrate the early church’s collision with common opinion:
• Stephen “thought his brothers would understand” God’s deliverance (Acts 7:25), but they did not.
• Simon Magus “thought” God’s gift could be purchased (Acts 8:20).
• In Lystra, enemies stoned Paul, “supposing him to be dead” (Acts 14:19).
• Missionaries went where they “supposed there was a place of prayer” (Acts 16:13), respecting local practice.
• The Philippian jailer “supposed the prisoners had escaped” (Acts 16:27), nearly ending his life.
• Paul in Athens argues that we ought not to “suppose that the Divine Being is like gold or silver” (Acts 17:29).
• Jerusalem crowds rioted, “supposing Paul had brought Greeks into the temple” (Acts 21:29).
These snapshots show how untested assumptions can threaten gospel work, whereas Spirit-led discernment advances it.
Apostolic Counsel
In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul uses the verb for pastoral judgments: “I think then that it is good because of the present distress” (verse 26) and “If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward his betrothed” (verse 36). Here the word signals thoughtful, Spirit-guided opinion. Paul also warns against those “who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:5), exposing mercenary motives.
Theological Implications
1. Human reasoning, even when sincere, is limited (Acts 7:25; Luke 2:44).
2. Divine revelation corrects error (Matthew 5:17; 10:34).
3. Presumption can harden into sin when it resists grace (Acts 8:20; 1 Timothy 6:5).
4. Mature leadership exercises humble judgment where explicit command is absent (1 Corinthians 7).
Historical and Cultural Setting
The term often described what custom or law regarded as normal. New Testament writers adopt this everyday word to confront prevailing social, religious, and philosophical conventions, contrasting them with the new order in Christ.
Ministry Applications
• Test popular assumptions against Scripture, following Jesus’ “Do not think” pattern.
• Guard against exploiting ministry for personal gain.
• Correct misinformation patiently and truthfully.
• Respect local customs without surrendering gospel convictions (Acts 16:13).
• Offer prayerful counsel when a direct biblical mandate is lacking, modeling Paul’s approach.
Pastoral Reflection
Every occurrence of this verb invites believers to evaluate the gap between what they presume and what God has revealed. Moving from presumption to obedience aligns the mind with truth, fulfilling the call to “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Forms and Transliterations
ενόμιζε ενομιζεν ἐνόμιζεν ενομιζετο ενομίζετο ἐνομίζετο ενομιζομεν ἐνομίζομεν ενομιζον ενόμιζον ἐνόμιζον ενομισαν ενόμισαν ἐνόμισαν ενομισας ενόμισας ἐνόμισας νομιζει νομίζει νομιζειν νομίζειν νομιζοντες νομίζοντες νομιζοντων νομιζόντων Νομιζω Νομίζω νομιζων νομίζων νομισαντες νομίσαντες νομισητε νομίσητε enomisan enómisan enomisas enómisas enomizen enómizen enomizeto enomízeto enomizomen enomízomen enomizon enómizon nomisantes nomísantes nomisete nomisēte nomísete nomísēte nomizei nomízei nomizein nomízein Nomizo Nomizō Nomízo Nomízō nomizon nomizōn nomízon nomízōn nomizontes nomízontes nomizonton nomizontōn nomizónton nomizóntōn
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