Greek word · G1882

ἐπανόρθωσις

epanorthōsis

correcting

Literally 'setting upright again' (ἐπί + ἀνά + ὀρθόω, to straighten). Restoration, amendment, improvement, setting things right. It is used of repairing buildings, reforming states and correcting a person's life.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπ-αν-όρθωσις, -εως, ἡ

(ἐπανορθόω, to correct, restore; of. 2Ma.2:22) [in LXX: I Est.8:52, 1Ma.14:34 * ;]

correction: of life, 2 Timothy 3:16 (cf. MM, Exp., xiv).†

(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 Timothy 3:16

Range of meaning

Literally 'setting upright again' (ἐπί + ἀνά + ὀρθόω, to straighten). Restoration, amendment, improvement, setting things right. It is used of repairing buildings, reforming states and correcting a person's life.

Against the English

'Correction' in most versions; YLT's 'setting aright' is closest to the picture. In English 'correction' can sound like merely marking an error. The Greek is about putting something or someone back on their feet.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in Hellenistic moral writing for reforming one's life. Epictetus (Discourses 3.21.15) speaks of rites established 'for the correction of life'. Used also by Polybius and Philo. It appears only here in the New Testament.

Where it appears

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16 ἐπανόρθωσιν, correction,

    All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

    Here: Literally 'setting upright again'. It is restoring, not just pointing out a fault. After exposure comes repair.

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