This verb means to say, affirm, or assert—to make a claim with some force. While similar to the common phēmi ("say"), phaskō carries slightly more emphasis, suggesting a confident assertion or claim. Classical Greek distinguished it as more forceful or emphatic speech. The New Testament uses are limited but show it describing strong assertions, whether truthful (Paul's opponents claiming to speak for Jewish leadership) or false (those claiming to be wise while becoming fools). It marks speech that takes a position rather than merely reporting.