Greek word · G1932

ἐπιείκεια

epieikeia

gentleness

Forbearance, leniency, clemency; fair-mindedness that does not insist on the strict letter of one's rights; graciousness by a superior toward those under them. Aristotle (Nic. Eth. 5.10) defines to epieikes as an equity that corrects the rigidity of law, being 'better than' strict justice.

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

What it means

ἐπιεικία (Rec. -είκεια), -ας, ἡ

(ἐπιεικής), [in LXX: Wisdom of Solomon 2:19 12:18 Baruch 2:27, from LXX Baruch 4:24, TH (3:42), 2Ma.2:22 2Mac 10:4, 3Ma.3:15 3Mac 7:6 * ;]

fairness, moderation, gentleness ("sweet reasonableness," Matthew Arnold): Acts 24:4; with πραΰτης, 2 Corinthians 10:1.†

SYN.: πραΰτης (see Tr., Syn., § xliii) (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 Corinthians 10:1

Range of meaning

Forbearance, leniency, clemency; fair-mindedness that does not insist on the strict letter of one's rights; graciousness by a superior toward those under them. Aristotle (Nic. Eth. 5.10) defines to epieikes as an equity that corrects the rigidity of law, being 'better than' strict justice.

Against the English

Usually 'gentleness' (KJV, ESV, NASB, BSB, WEB). That is not wrong, but 'gentle' in English sounds like softness of manner. The Greek is about power held back: the judge or king who could exact the full penalty and does not.

How it drifted

English has no single word for this. 'Gentleness' is the conventional gloss, and it loses the overtone of authority and of mercy beyond what is strictly owed.

Used elsewhere in the period

A standard royal and judicial virtue in Hellenistic praise of rulers, the Greek match to Latin clementia. Tertullus flatters Felix by appealing to his epieikeia (Acts 24:4). In Wisdom of Solomon 12:18 God, 'master of might', judges 'with epieikeia'. In Wis 2:19 the wicked plan to test the righteous man's epieikeia. Philo and Plutarch use it of magnanimous rulers.

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 24:4 ἐπιεικείᾳ. kindness.

    But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:1 ἐπιεικείας gentleness

    Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

    Here: The fair-minded restraint of someone with power who does not insist on the full severity they could rightly use. See the study below.

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