ἐπιείκεια
epieíkeia
G1932 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The quality of being yielding, reasonable, or moderate; the disposition to be gentle, forbearing, or equitable when strictness of law or justice might permit otherwise. In various contexts, it may denote fairness, restraint, or leniency in judgment, decision, or conduct.
Semantic Range
leniency in judgment, equity, fairness, mildness in temper, clemency, merciful restraint, moderation, gentleness, suitability, pragmatic fairness
Root / Etymology
From ἐπιεικής (epieikēs, 'gentle, reasonable, suitable, equitable'), itself from ἐπί ('on, at') + εἰκός ('likely, fitting, reasonable'). The suffix -εια (-eia) forms an abstract noun indicating the quality or condition.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἐπιείκεια signified a tempering of strict justice, the balancing virtue that seeks what is 'fitting' or 'fair' rather than rigidly legal. This meaning persists in Hellenistic and Koine usage, including philosophical and rhetorical contexts. In Aristotle, it is a corrective to excessive application of law, reflecting an equitable spirit. In the New Testament and related literature, the term carries the sense of merciful restraint, forbearance, or the capacity to act with leniency instead of inflexible severity. English translations like 'clemency,' 'gentleness,' or 'equity' all capture partial aspects, but the term refers more broadly to an ethical disposition that values the spirit of fairness and moderation above mere legalism. This concept may be contrasted with ἀκρίβεια (akriveia, 'strictness, exactness'), with ἐπιείκεια seen as the more humane or pragmatic alternative. The term is rare in the New Testament but features in philosophical and legal discussions throughout the Hellenistic world. Later Christian writers adopted ἐπιείκεια to describe a virtue of forbearance or graciousness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπιεικής; suitableness, i.e. (by implication) equity, mildness:--clemency, gentleness.
Root Family
ἐπιείκεια (epieikeia) — moderation, forbearance, equity, reasonableness
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1932-01 |
ἐπιεικείᾳ | epieikeia | N DAT F SG |
kindness | with forbearance | with forbearance | 1 |
G1932-02 |
ἐπιεικείας | epieikeias | N GEN F SG |
gentleness | of equitable moderation | equitable moderation | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1932-01 |
Acts 24:4 | ἐπιεικείᾳ | epieikeia | N DAT F SG |
kindness | with forbearance | with forbearance |
G1932-02 |
2 Corinthians 10:1 | ἐπιεικείας | epieikeias | N GEN F SG |
gentleness | of equitable moderation | equitable moderation |