Greek word · G1730

ἔνδειγμα

endeigma

evidence

A sign, token, proof or plain indication: something that shows a fact openly. It comes from the verb ἐνδείκνυμι, 'to show, demonstrate, point out'. It is a result-noun: the thing that demonstrates, not the act of demonstrating.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἔν-δειγμα, -τος

(ἐνδείκνυμι),

a plain token, proof: 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (cf. ἔνδειξις, which refers rather to the "act of proving"; ἔ., with the passive formation, to the thing proved, see Lft., Notes, 100; M, Th., l.with).†

SYN.: τεκμήριον (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Thessalonians 1:5

Range of meaning

A sign, token, proof or plain indication: something that shows a fact openly. It comes from the verb ἐνδείκνυμι, 'to show, demonstrate, point out'. It is a result-noun: the thing that demonstrates, not the act of demonstrating.

Against the English

KJV 'manifest token', NASB 'plain indication', ESV and BSB 'evidence', WEB 'obvious sign'. All are fair. The bigger question is what the token is. The Greek has no verb and no 'this' or 'which'. The noun simply stands next to the previous clause and labels it. English has to supply 'This is' or 'All this is', and that makes the reader decide what 'this' refers to.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used only here in the New Testament. BDAG cites it from classical Greek in the sense 'evidence, proof' (e.g., Plato, Critias 110b). Its closest relative is ἔνδειξις in Philippians 1:28, written to another Macedonian church under pressure: the believers' fearlessness before opponents 'is to them a sign (endeixis) of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.' The thought is very close: steadfastness under persecution is a sign pointing to how God will settle things.

Where it appears

2 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 ἔνδειγμα [This is] a plain token

    All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

    Here: Something that points to and demonstrates a fact. It has no verb; it stands alongside the whole of verse 4 and labels it: the Thessalonians' endurance and faith under persecution is itself the proof.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.