Physioo (or phusioo), accent on the third syllable (of four), means to cause conceit or arrogance. In the passive voice, it means to be conceited or arrogant. This word appears in various forms in 1 Corinthians 4:6, 8:1, 13:4; 2 Corinthians 12:20; and Colossians 2:18.
As Paul wrote, Knowledge puffs up (physioi); love builds up. An ever-present peril of knowledge is conceit—a relevant warning to those of us who rejoice in learning and teaching others. But love is not conceited (ou physioutai), as we read in 1 Corinthians 13:4.
(For more on this, may I recommend a little volume recommended to me by a friend? It is Helmut Thielicke's A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962. The 13 chapters of this little book scarcely fill 40 pages, but certainly deliver far more than 40 pages of punch!)
May we not be puffed up with our knowledge, but rather share it with others in loving service. Knowledge is not a weapon, though in the wrong hands it easily becomes one. Because He agape (love) ou physioutai.
