ἀνθρωπάρεσκος
anthrōpáreskos
G441 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, 'one who seeks to please people' or 'one eager to ingratiate oneself with others.' Used especially of someone whose conduct is motivated by a desire to win favor or approval from people, often implying a lack of principle or sincerity, especially in contrast to pleasing or serving a higher authority or standard. In contexts such as Colossians 3:22 and Ephesians 6:6, it denotes those whose actions are motivated by human approval rather than genuine intent or conviction.
Semantic Range
one who seeks to please people, people-pleaser, one who courts favor, one who ingratiates oneself with others, one who acts for human approval, fawning, sycophant, lacking sincerity or principle in pursuit of favor
Root / Etymology
From ἄνθρωπος (human, person) and ἀρέσκω (to please, to be pleasing). The word is a compound: ἄνθρωπος + ἀρέσκω, literally 'pleasing to people' or 'people-pleaser.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears seldom in surviving Greek literature, with notable occurrences in the New Testament. In Koine usage, especially within the context of the Pauline epistles, ἀνθρωπάρεσκος does not simply denote 'someone who is pleasant to people' but connotes conduct lacking integrity—one whose behavior is dictated by a desire for human approval rather than principled action. The contrast is often with pleasing God or acting with sincere intent rather than outward show or hypocrisy. English translations such as 'men-pleaser' or 'people-pleaser' capture part of the sense but may not fully convey the negative connotation of duplicity, lack of sincerity, or compromise of personal or ethical conviction for social acceptance. In the broader Hellenistic context and later usage, the concept is aligned with flattery, sycophancy, or service rendered for approval rather than principle.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἄνθρωπος and ἀρέσκω; man-courting, i.e. fawning:--men-pleaser.
Root Family
ἀνθρωπάρεσκος (anthrōpáreskos) — human, to please, seek approval
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G441-01 |
ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι | anthropareskoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
men-pleasers | people-pleasers | people-pleasers | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G441-01 |
Ephesians 6:6 | ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι | anthropareskoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
men-pleasers | people-pleasers | people-pleasers |
G441-01 |
Colossians 3:22 | ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι | anthropareskoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
people-pleasers | people-pleasers | people-pleasers |