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εὐάρεστος

euárestos

G2101 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

fully pleasing, acceptable; primarily describes that which brings satisfaction, delight, or approval to the one receiving, observing, or judging the action or quality. In various contexts, it refers to that which is 'well received,' 'approved,' or 'agreeable' to a specific standard or person, often bearing connotations of being in alignment with someone's expectations or desires. In religious or moral contexts, particularly in early Christian literature, it describes actions or qualities considered acceptable or pleasing to God or others.

Semantic Range

well-pleasing, highly acceptable, fully agreeable, bringing satisfaction, meeting approval, pleasing to God, pleasing to people, commendable

Root / Etymology

Compound of εὖ ('well, good') and ἀρεστός ('pleasing, agreeable, acceptable'), thus formed to mean 'well-pleasing' or 'very pleasing.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Hellenistic Greek, εὐάρεστος is rare or unattested in classical Attic sources but common in Jewish Greek literature and the New Testament. It is frequently used to describe conduct, actions, or individuals that are considered pleasing or acceptable to a deity (e.g. to God) or to people. In the LXX and NT, it commonly describes that which is in moral or spiritual alignment with divine will or favor. The term can function both in a subjective sense (pleasing from the perspective of the one judging) and an objective sense (meeting prescribed standards). English translations typically render εὐάρεστος as 'acceptable,' 'well-pleasing,' or 'pleasing,' but these may understate the intensity of approval implied by the prefix εὖ. Related terms include ἀρεστός (pleasing, but without the intensifying prefix) and εὐδοκέω (to take pleasure in, to approve). The word is distinct from terms denoting general goodness or virtue, highlighting instead the response or evaluation of an external party (often the divine).

Translation Consistency

primary "please" 8 occurrences

εὐάρεστος most naturally conveys being 'pleasing' or 'acceptable' (e.g. ‘it pleases God’). Using the verb 'please' captures the typical sense (well‑pleasing/acceptable) in plain, natural English and can be inflected consistently for different forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"well-pleasing" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὖ and ἀρεστός; fully agreeable:--acceptable(-ted), wellpleasing.

Root Family

εὐάρεστος (euarestos) — to please, to be agreeable, to bring satisfaction

Root ἀρεστ- to please, to be agreeable, to bring satisfaction

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2101-02 εὐάρεστον euareston ADJ.S ACC F SG acceptable fully pleasing the one fully pleasing 6
G2101-03 εὐάρεστος euarestos ADJ.P NOM M SG is acceptable fully pleasing fully pleasing 1
G2101-01 εὐάρεστοι euarestoi ADJ.P NOM M PL pleasing fully pleasing ones fully pleasing ones 1
G2101-04 εὐαρέστους euarestous ADJ.P ACC M PL well-pleasing fully pleasing ones well-pleasing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2101-02 Romans 12:1 εὐάρεστον euareston ADJ.S ACC F SG acceptable fully pleasing the one fully pleasing
G2101-02 Romans 12:2 εὐάρεστον euareston ADJ.S NOM N SG acceptable fully pleasing the one fully pleasing
G2101-03 Romans 14:18 εὐάρεστος euarestos ADJ.P NOM M SG is acceptable fully pleasing fully pleasing
G2101-01 2 Corinthians 5:9 εὐάρεστοι euarestoi ADJ.P NOM M PL pleasing fully pleasing ones fully pleasing ones
G2101-02 Ephesians 5:10 εὐάρεστον euareston ADJ.P NOM N SG acceptable fully pleasing the one fully pleasing
G2101-02 Philippians 4:18 εὐάρεστον euareston ADJ.S ACC F SG well-pleasing fully pleasing the one fully pleasing
G2101-02 Colossians 3:20 εὐάρεστόν euareston ADJ.P NOM N SG pleasing fully pleasing the one fully pleasing
G2101-04 Titus 2:9 εὐαρέστους euarestous ADJ.P ACC M PL well-pleasing fully pleasing ones well-pleasing
G2101-02 Hebrews 13:21 εὐάρεστον euareston ADJ.S ACC N SG pleasing fully pleasing is pleasing
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