1932. epieikeia
Strong's Lexicon
epieikeia: Gentleness, Forbearance, Clemency

Original Word: ἐπιείκεια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: epieikeia
Pronunciation: eh-pee-AY-kee-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-i'-ki-ah)
Definition: Gentleness, Forbearance, Clemency
Meaning: considerateness, forbearance, fairness, gentleness, mildness.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek adjective ἐπιεικής (epieikēs), meaning "gentle" or "forbearing."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "epieikeia," the concept is akin to the Hebrew word חֶסֶד (chesed), often translated as "loving-kindness" or "mercy," which reflects God's covenantal love and compassion.

Usage: The term "epieikeia" refers to a quality of gentleness or forbearance, often implying a sense of fairness and moderation that goes beyond strict justice. It suggests a disposition that is considerate and reasonable, showing leniency and understanding in dealing with others. In the New Testament, it is used to describe a Christ-like attitude that believers are encouraged to adopt, reflecting God's own merciful nature.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, "epieikeia" was a valued virtue, often associated with wise and fair leadership. It was seen as a quality that balanced justice with mercy, allowing for flexibility and compassion in the application of laws and rules. This concept was important in both civic and personal relationships, promoting harmony and understanding within communities.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1932 epieíkeia (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting," which intensifies eikos, "reasonable, fair, equitable," L-S) – equity ("justice-beyond-justice"). 1932 /epieíkeia ("true equity") is a "sweet reasonableness" that knows when to "relax the strict legal requirements concern­ing others . . . to carry out the real spirit of the law" (G. R. Berry). See 1933 (epieikēs).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epieikés
Definition
fairness, gentleness
NASB Translation
gentleness (1), kindness (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1932: ἐπιείκεια

ἐπιείκεια (WH ἐπιεικία, see Iota), ἐπιεικείας, , (ἐπιεικής, which see), mildness, gentleness, fairness (`sweet reasonableness' (Matthew Arnold)): Acts 24:4; joined with πραότης (which see), 2 Corinthians 10:1; Plutarch, Pericl. 39; with φιλανθρωπία, Polybius 1, 14, 4; Philo, vit. Moys. i. § 36; with χρηστότης, Herodian, 5, 1, 12 (6 edition Bekker). Cf. Plato, defin., p. 412 b. Aristotle, eth. Nic. 5, 10. (Baruch 2:27; Wis. 2:19 Wis. 12:18; 2 Macc. 2:22; 3Macc. 3:15.) [SYNONYMS: ἐπιείκεια, πραότης: "πραότηςmagis ad animum ἐπιείκειαvero magis ad exteriorem conversationem pertinet (Estius on 2 Corinthians 10:1). πραότηςvirtus magis absoluta; ἐπιείκεια magis refertur ad alios (Bengel, ibid.). See at length Trench, § xliii.]

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
clemency, gentleness.

From epieikes; suitableness, i.e. (by implication) equity, mildness -- clemency, gentleness.

see GREEK epieikes

Forms and Transliterations
επιεικεία ἐπιεικείᾳ ἐπιεικείας επιεικεύσατο επιεικια ἐπιεικίᾳ επιεικιας ἐπιεικίας επιεκείας epieikeia epieikeíāi epieikeias epieikeías
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 24:4 N-DFS
GRK: τῇ σῇ ἐπιεικείᾳ
NAS: you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief
KJV: us of thy clemency a few words.
INT: [in] your kindness

2 Corinthians 10:1 N-GFS
GRK: πραΰτητος καὶ ἐπιεικείας τοῦ χριστοῦ
NAS: you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--
KJV: and gentleness of Christ,
INT: gentleness and gentleness of Christ

Strong's Greek 1932
2 Occurrences


ἐπιεικείᾳ — 1 Occ.
ἐπιεικείας — 1 Occ.

















1931
Top of Page
Top of Page