Greek word · G1908

ἐπηρεάζω

epēreazō

to mistreat

To treat abusively or insultingly, harass, mistreat, threaten. It carries an element of spite. Aristotle (Rhetoric 2.2.4) defines the related noun as thwarting someone's wishes out of pure spite, not for any gain.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπηρεάζω

(ἐπήρεια, spiteful abuse),

to revile: with accusative of person(s), Luke 6:28; with accusative of thing(s) (but see ICC, in l), 1 Peter 3:16.†

(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 1 Peter 3:16

Range of meaning

To treat abusively or insultingly, harass, mistreat, threaten. It carries an element of spite. Aristotle (Rhetoric 2.2.4) defines the related noun as thwarting someone's wishes out of pure spite, not for any gain. In papyri it often describes harassment and abusive treatment, including through legal channels.

Against the English

KJV 'falsely accuse' narrows it to legal accusation. WEB 'curse' makes it too religious and verbal. BSB folds it into 'those who slander you'. ESV 'revile' and YLT 'traducing' capture the insulting, demeaning tone better.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 6:28: 'pray for those who mistreat you' (περὶ τῶν ἐπηρεαζόντων ὑμᾶς). The verb is used in classical writers (Xenophon, Aristotle) and is common in documentary papyri for harassment.

From the study of Luke 6:28

Range of meaning

To treat abusively, insult, threaten, harass, mistreat out of spite (BDAG: 'threaten, mistreat, abuse'). The related noun epēreasmos is defined by Aristotle (Rhetoric 2.2) as obstructing someone's wishes, not to gain anything but simply so the other person won't get what they want: pure spite meant to belittle. In the papyri it is used for insulting treatment and for harassment, including high-handed or extortionate treatment by officials.

Against the English

BSB/NIV/NASB/WEB 'mistreat' is accurate but general. ESV 'abuse' catches the insulting edge. KJV 'despitefully use' was precise in 1611, when 'despite' meant contempt and malice, but now sounds like exploitation. YLT 'accusing you falsely' picks up one use of the word (1 Pet 3:16, people who slander your good conduct) but narrows it.

How it drifted

KJV's 'despitefully' has dropped out of everyday English, and 'use' now suggests using someone for gain, which the Greek does not stress.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT only here and 1 Pet 3:16 (those who malign believers' good behaviour in Christ). Aristotle, Rhetoric 1378b; papyri cited in Moulton–Milligan for abusive and oppressive treatment. Matthew's parallel (5:44) has 'those who persecute you' instead.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 6:28 ἐπηρεαζόντων mistreating

    bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

    Here: 'Those abusing you': people who treat you with spiteful, insulting, high-handed mistreatment, whether by words (insult, false accusation) or by harassment and threats. Present tense: it is ongoing.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 3:16 ἐπηρεάζοντες reviling

    keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

    Here: Those who insult and spitefully harass. It is stronger than mere criticism: deliberate, demeaning treatment. It is the same verb as in Jesus' saying 'pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28).

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