ἀσχημονέω
aschēmonéō
G807 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To behave in an indecent, improper, or disgraceful manner; to act in ways lacking social decorum or propriety. Encompasses behavior that deviates from what is considered appropriate or respectable in a given context, whether in manners, speech, or conduct.
Semantic Range
to act in an unseemly manner, to act indecently, to behave with impropriety, to act disgracefully, to display bad manners, to violate social norms or expectations
Root / Etymology
From ἀσχήμων ('unseemly, indecent, improper'), itself from negative prefix ἀ- ('not') + σχῆμα ('form, figure, appearance'). Ἀσχημονέω is the verb formed from the adjective ἀσχήμων, denoting the act of displaying lack of decorum or propriety.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀσχημονέω primarily referred to any behavior judged as indecent, shameful, or out of line with accepted social standards, whether moral or merely conventional. The term does not inherently denote sexual impropriety—though it may in some contexts—but has a broader range encompassing rudeness, impropriety, or public disgrace. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the New Testament, it continues to denote behavior that brings shame, dishonor, or a lack of proper decorum. In 1 Corinthians 7:36 and 1 Corinthians 13:5, ἀσχημονέω and related forms denote acting in a way that is socially or morally inappropriate—e.g., Paul uses it to describe love as not acting disgracefully, not engaging in behavior that would bring shame or violate communal norms. Standard English translations ("behave unseemly," "be indecent") often understate the breadth of the term: it can indicate any form of conduct considered improper, not only overtly scandalous actions. In the Septuagint and later Greek literature, the verb similarly marks actions that bring dishonor or violate established forms of social propriety.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀσχήμων; to be (i.e. act) unbecoming:--behave self uncomely (unseemly).
Root Family
ἀσχημονέω (aschēmonéō) — to be indecent, to behave improperly, to act disgracefully
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G807-01 |
ἀσχημονεῖ | aschemonei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
act unbecomingly | behaves indecently | behaves indecently | 1 |
G807-02 |
ἀσχημονεῖν | aschemonein | V PRS ACT INF |
to behave improperly | to act indecently | to act indecently | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G807-02 |
1 Corinthians 7:36 | ἀσχημονεῖν | aschemonein | V PRS ACT INF |
to behave improperly | to act indecently | to act indecently |
G807-01 |
1 Corinthians 13:5 | ἀσχημονεῖ | aschemonei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
act unbecomingly | behaves indecently | behaves indecently |