The Greek dioktes (G1376) means a persecutor — one who actively pursues and harasses others for their faith. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Paul's stunning autobiographical confession.
Dioktes carries Paul's sharpest self-description of his pre-conversion life: 'Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor (dioktes) and a violent man, I was shown mercy' (1 Timothy 1:13). The word is used not to excuse but to magnify grace: the greatest persecutor of the church became its greatest missionary. Paul's transformation is itself a proof of the resurrection — only an encounter with the risen Jesus could reverse such violent opposition.