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ἔπαινος

épainos

G1868 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Expression of approval or commendation; public acknowledgment or esteem expressed towards a person, action, or thing, often signifying recognition of merit or value. In some contexts, refers to something or someone worthy of such approval or a reason for commendation. Additionally, can denote the act of praising or lauding, particularly in formalized settings such as speeches or eulogies.

Semantic Range

praise, commendation, expression of approval, public recognition, something worthy of praise, act of lauding

Root / Etymology

Derived from ἐπί (upon, in addition) and the root of αἰνέω (to praise). The formation suggests 'a speech or utterance upon (someone or something) in praise.' Not a compound used in earlier classical Greek but attested in Hellenistic literature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἔπαινος is attested in classical Greek but rises in prominence during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, including the New Testament and Septuagint. Its primary use is for public or formal praise, whether directed toward humans for virtuous actions or, in some contexts, toward deities (though other words like αἴνεσις are more typical for praise addressed to the divine). In the Septuagint, ἔπαινος often translates Hebrew terms for 'praise' or 'glory' given to God, but in Greco-Roman society, it is more commonly used for honoring civic benefactors, heroes, or those exemplifying virtues. In New Testament use, it retains both the sense of commendation from humans (e.g., praise for generosity, virtue) and approval from God (e.g., divine commendation for faithful conduct). English translations as 'praise' or 'commendation' generally capture the main semantic force, but the word can carry a more formal, public, or honorific nuance than 'praise' always conveys in modern usage. Not synonymous with δόξα (glory) or ευχαριστία (thanksgiving), which have distinct fields of usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "praise" 7 occurrences

‘Praise’ is the most natural, widely used English term that covers the noun sense (an expression of approval or commendation) and the act of lauding. It fits the full semantic range given (commendation, public recognition, reason for praise) and sounds less formal and more idiomatic than ‘commendation,’ making it a better consistent choice for all forms of ἔπαινος.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"commendation" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and the base of αἰνέω; laudation; concretely, a commendable thing:--praise.

Root Family

ἔπαινος (epainos) — praise, commendation, expression of approval, public recognition

Root αἰν- to praise, to commend

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1868-01 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG praise commendation a praise 7
G1868-02 ἔπαινος epainos N NOM M SG praise commendation commendation 4

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1868-02 Romans 2:29 ἔπαινος epainos N NOM M SG praise commendation commendation
G1868-01 Romans 13:3 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG praise commendation a praise
G1868-02 1 Corinthians 4:5 ἔπαινος epainos N NOM M SG praise commendation commendation
G1868-02 2 Corinthians 8:18 ἔπαινος epainos N NOM M SG praise commendation commendation
G1868-01 Ephesians 1:6 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG praise commendation a praise
G1868-01 Ephesians 1:12 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG the praise commendation a praise
G1868-01 Ephesians 1:14 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG praise commendation a praise
G1868-01 Philippians 1:11 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG praise commendation a praise
G1868-02 Philippians 4:8 ἔπαινος epainos N NOM M SG praiseworthy commendation commendation
G1868-01 1 Peter 1:7 ἔπαινον epainon N ACC M SG praise commendation a praise
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