Greek word · G1741

ἔνδοξος

endoxos

honored

Honoured, highly regarded, held in esteem; splendid or magnificent in appearance. From doxa ("glory, honour, splendour").

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

ἔνδοξος, -ον

(δόξα [in LXX for כָּבַד, etc. ;]

1. held in honour, of high repute: 1 Corinthians 4:10.

2. glorious, splendid: of deeds, τά ἔ., Luke 13:17; of clothing, Luke 7:25. Metaphorical, ἐκκλησία, Ephesians 5:27 (cf. παράδοξος).†

(AS)

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

Range of meaning: Honoured, highly regarded, held in esteem; splendid or magnificent in appearance. From doxa ("glory, honour, splendour").
Against the English: "Glorious" (KJV, BSB) is right, but in everyday English it has become a vague word of praise ("a glorious day"). The ESV's "in splendor", the NIV's "radiant" and the NASB's "in all her glory" keep the visual sense better. YLT's "in glory" reflects the predicate force.
How it drifted: Ordinary English has weakened "glorious" from "clothed in honour and splendour" to "very nice."
Used elsewhere in the period: Luke 7:25 uses it of people "in splendid (endoxō) clothing" in royal palaces, and Luke 13:17 of Jesus' "glorious deeds." In the Greek Old Testament it is used of honoured men and of God's glorious acts. Ezekiel 16:14 is the closest picture: God washes, clothes and adorns Jerusalem until her beauty is "perfect because of my splendour that I put upon you."

Range of meaning: Held in honor, of good repute, distinguished, eminent; glorious, splendid. It comes from doxa (reputation, glory). It describes how others see you: public esteem and visible prestige.
Against the English: BSB and NIV have 'honored,' NASB 'distinguished,' WEB 'have honor,' KJV 'honourable,' YLT 'glorious.' KJV's 'honourable' now sounds like 'morally upright, a person of integrity,' which is not the point. The word is about status and prestige.
How it drifted: English 'honourable' moved from 'worthy of honor, of high rank' (as in 'the Honourable' as a title) to mainly 'ethically upright.' The Greek word stays in the world of reputation.
Used elsewhere in the period: In Luke 7:25 it describes 'splendid (endoxō) clothing' in royal palaces, and in Luke 13:17 the crowd rejoices at Jesus' 'glorious things.' It is common in Greek honorific language for prominent citizens. In 1:26 Paul uses the related idea 'not many well-born (eugeneis).'

Luke · 2

Luke 7:25 ἐνδόξῳ splendid

Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.
Luke 13:17 ἐνδόξοις glorious things

When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing.

1 Corinthians · 1

1 Corinthians 4:10 ἔνδοξοι honored

We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

Here: 'Distinguished, of high repute': people the public holds in honor. It is a word about status, not moral character.

Ephesians · 1

Ephesians 5:27 ἔνδοξον in glory

and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Here: Placed first for emphasis and describing the state she is presented in: "as splendid," "in her full splendour." It suggests a bride dressed and adorned and shining with honour.

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