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εἰλικρινής

eilikrinḗs

G1506 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Unmixed, pure, without admixture or hidden defect; figuratively: sincere, upright, genuine in motive or character. In the moral or ethical sphere, denotes integrity, without hypocrisy or deception.

Semantic Range

unmixed, pure, found genuine after scrutiny, sincere, upright, transparent, free from mixture or hidden defect, honest

Root / Etymology

Most likely formed from εἴλη (ancient variant of ἥλιος, 'sun') + κρίνω ('to judge'), conveying the idea of being judged by the sunlight, i.e., scrutinized in full light and found without flaw. There is some debate regarding the exact derivation of εἴλη, but the component parts are generally agreed upon in lexicography.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, εἰλικρινής was used of substances or persons found to be pure after thorough scrutiny, especially under light. The metaphor of being examined in sunlight (showing flawless transparency or lack of admixture) persisted in later Greek and passed into ethical language to describe honesty and integrity. In the New Testament (e.g., Phil 1:10; 2 Pet 3:1), it most commonly indicates sincerity or the absence of mixed motives, contrasting the outward appearance with genuine internal character. English translation tradition renders it 'pure' or 'sincere,' which often focuses on the moral aspect but may obscure the original metaphor of thorough inspection under light. Notably, εἰλικρινής differs from ἁγνός ('chaste, pure') in that εἰλικρινής emphasizes the absence of deceit or hidden fault, often after being put to the test, rather than ritual or cultic purity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (the sun's ray) and κρίνω; judged by sunlight, i.e. tested as genuine (figuratively):--pure, sincere.

Root Family

εἰλικρινής (eilikrinēs) — unmixed, pure, examined, found genuine, sincere, upright

Root κριν- to judge, decide, distinguish; to examine, to evaluate

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1506-01 εἰλικρινῆ eilikrine ADJ.A ACC F SG sincere unmixed and genuine unmixed and genuine 1
G1506-02 εἰλικρινεῖς eilikrineis ADJ.S NOM M PL sincere genuine ones genuine ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1506-02 Philippians 1:10 εἰλικρινεῖς eilikrineis ADJ.S NOM M PL sincere genuine ones genuine ones
G1506-01 2 Peter 3:1 εἰλικρινῆ eilikrine ADJ.A ACC F SG sincere unmixed and genuine unmixed and genuine
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