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σπουδαιότερον

spoudaióteron

G4706 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

comparative adverb meaning 'more earnestly, more diligently, with greater haste or eagerness.' It carries the sense of acting with increased earnestness, care, or prompt attention compared to another person or situation. Depending on context, it can range from 'with greater diligence/zeal' to 'with more speed or immediacy.'

Semantic Range

more earnestly, more diligently, with greater zeal, with increased haste, more promptly, more eagerly

Root / Etymology

from the adjective σπουδαῖος (zealous, eager, diligent) + comparative suffix -τερος, making σπουδαιότερος (more diligent), with σπουδαιότερον as the accusative/comparative adverbial neuter form. Root: σπουδ-

Historical & Contextual Notes

Primarily found in Koine and post-classical Greek as a comparative form to express heightened zeal, diligence, or immediacy. Used in the New Testament (e.g., 2 Corinthians 8:17) to indicate someone’s greater eagerness or readiness in performing a task or responding to an instruction, especially relative to others or a previous circumstance. In Hellenistic Greek, the adjective σπουδαῖος itself denotes not merely 'diligent' but conveys a sense of zeal, earnest commitment, or the seriousness with which one undertakes something. The comparative adverb σπουδαιότερον thus expresses an even greater degree of such earnestness. English translations often render it 'more eagerly,' 'with greater diligence,' or 'very promptly,' but this can flatten the nuance of heightened intensity or relative comparison to another’s action. The term does not inherently connote faithfulness versus unfaithfulness but focuses on the degree or immediacy of exertion or commitment. Not widely attested in earlier classical Greek but well represented in post-classical, Koine, and patristic literature where gradations of zeal or expediency were described.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of σπουδαιότερος as adverb; more earnestly than others), i.e. very promptly:--very diligently.

Root Family

σπουδαῖος (spoudaios) — eager, diligent, zealous, prompt, earnest

Root σπουδ- to be eager, to be diligent, to hasten
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4705 σπουδαῖος zealous

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4706-02 σπουδαιοτέρως spoudaioteros ADV COMP all the more eagerly more earnestly more earnestly 1
G4706-01 σπουδαιότερον spoudaioteron ADV COMP more diligent more earnestly more earnestly 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4706-01 2 Corinthians 8:22 σπουδαιότερον spoudaioteron ADV COMP more diligent more earnestly more earnestly
G4706-02 Philippians 2:28 σπουδαιοτέρως spoudaioteros ADV COMP all the more eagerly more earnestly more earnestly
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