ἐντροπή

From the study of 1 Corinthians 15:34

Range of meaning

Shame, humiliation. It can also mean respect or regard (being 'turned toward' someone). Here, the shame of being shown up as in the wrong.

Against the English

All the major English versions say 'shame'. That is accurate, but in English shame is often thought of as a private feeling. In Corinth it was public: a matter of standing and honour before others.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul uses the same phrase in 1 Cor 6:5, 'I say this to your shame (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν)', about lawsuits between believers. In 4:14 he says the opposite: 'I do not write these things to shame you (οὐκ ἐντρέπων)'. In the Septuagint, Psalm 35:26 (LXX 34:26) speaks of being 'clothed with shame (ἐντροπήν)'.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 6:5

Range of meaning

From the verb ἐντρέπω, 'to turn in'. The noun names the inward turn of shame: being put to confusion, losing face. The same root also gives the sense of respect, of turning toward someone in regard (the middle voice in Mark 12:6, 'they will respect my son'). Shame and respect are two sides of the same social reflex: knowing where you stand in others' eyes.

Against the English

English versions agree on 'to your shame'. WEB's 'to move you to shame' brings out the purpose best. To a modern ear 'shame' can sound like a private feeling of guilt or low self-worth. Here it is public: it concerns honour and standing in the community.

How it drifted

Modern Western culture treats shame mainly as an inner emotion, often an unhealthy one. In the Greco-Roman world, shame and honour were the public currency of social life, and shaming someone was a recognised way to correct them.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it occurs only here and in 1 Cor 15:34 ('I say this to your shame'), both times as Paul's deliberate rebuke. In the Septuagint (LXX, the Greek Old Testament Paul usually quotes) it is often paired with αἰσχύνη, the other common Greek word for shame, for the public disgrace of enemies (e.g. Ps 34[35]:26; 68[69]:8, 20). Greek moralists used shaming as a tool of correction.