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εὐπρέπεια

euprépeia

G2143 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Possession of a fitting or becoming quality; attractiveness or dignity suited to circumstances. Specifically, the property of being elegant, noble, or marked by dignified beauty, especially in behavior, appearance, or demeanor. Broader use can include the idea of propriety, splendor, or statesmanlike presence.

Semantic Range

fittingness, becomingness, appropriateness, propriety, dignity, gracefulness, noble bearing, comeliness, splendor, elegant appearance

Root / Etymology

From the compound of εὖ ('well, rightly') and πρέπω ('to be fitting, to be distinguished, to be conspicuous'), creating the abstract noun forming the quality or state of being proper, graceful, or fitting. Thus, εὐπρέπεια literally means 'well-becoming' or 'good suitability.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὐπρέπεια refers primarily to propriety, gracefulness, or stately appearance, describing both persons and objects that are distinguished by dignified beauty or fittingness. It can indicate nobility of bearing, decorum, or an appropriate magnificence (e.g., Xenophon, Aristotle). In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, use in moral or social contexts continues, where it may describe decorum or splendor (e.g., Philo, Epictetus). In the Septuagint, it occasionally translates Hebrew terms relating to majesty or beauty (e.g., Psalm 29:2 LXX). In the New Testament (only 1 Corinthians 12:23), Paul uses it to refer to a special dignity or propriety given to 'less honorable' parts of the body, suggesting a sense of bestowal of appropriate dignity for the sake of balanced honor within the community metaphor.— English translations frequently render it 'grace,' 'comeliness,' 'dignity,' or 'modesty,' but the full nuance includes not only beauty but fittingness and honorable propriety. The term is distinct from χάρις (grace, favor) in that it emphasizes a suitability or stateliness rather than favor or kindness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of εὖ and πρέπω; good suitableness, i.e. gracefulness:--grace.

Root Family

εὐπρέπεια (euprepeia) — fittingness, becomingness, propriety, dignity, noble grace

Root πρέπ- to be fitting, to be conspicuous, to be distinguished

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2143-01 εὐπρέπεια euprepeia N NOM F SG beauty well-becoming dignity well-becoming dignity 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2143-01 James 1:11 εὐπρέπεια euprepeia N NOM F SG beauty well-becoming dignity well-becoming dignity
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