εὐθυμέω

From the study of James 5:13

Range of meaning

To be of good heart, in good spirits, cheerful. As a command it means 'take heart, take courage'. Thymos is the seat of spirit and mood, and eu- means 'well'. The word describes morale and settled good spirits more than giddy fun.

Against the English

KJV 'merry' now suggests festivity or tipsiness. NIV/NLT 'happy' is acceptable but sounds like a passing feeling. 'Cheerful' (BSB, ESV, NASB, WEB) and YLT 'of good cheer' are closer.

Used elsewhere in the period

Its only other NT uses are in Acts 27:22, 25, where Paul in the storm tells the sailors to 'take heart'. The adjective euthymos appears in Acts 27:36 ('they were all encouraged'), and the adverb in Acts 24:10 ('cheerfully'). The word group is common in letters and moral writing for being in good spirits.

From the study of Acts 27:22

Range of meaning

To be in good spirits or of good heart; to take courage or heart. It is built from 'well' and thymos, the seat of feeling and spirit. The word is about inner steadiness and resolve. It is not about outward merriment.

Against the English

KJV and YLT have 'be of good cheer' and WEB has 'cheer up.' Today 'cheer' suggests being happy or upbeat. BSB and NASB ('keep up your courage') and ESV ('take heart') are closer to what the Greek means.

How it drifted

In older English 'cheer' meant mood or disposition, as in 'be of good cheer' = 'be in a good frame of mind.' Over time it narrowed to mean gladness or festivity.

Used elsewhere in the period

Hellenistic moral writers used the noun euthymia for a settled, untroubled mind. Plutarch wrote an essay with that title, usually called 'On Tranquillity of Mind.' In the NT the verb occurs only in Acts 27:22, 27:25 and James 5:13. The adjective appears in Acts 27:36 ('they all took heart and ate').

From the study of Acts 27:25

Range of meaning

To be in good spirits, to be of good heart, to keep one's courage up. It is built from eu- (well) + thymos (spirit, the seat of feeling and drive). The related noun euthymia means steadiness of mind, freedom from dread and despair. The word covers both mood (cheerfulness) and morale (courage under pressure).

Against the English

KJV 'be of good cheer' and WEB 'cheer up' highlight mood. BSB 'take courage' and others' 'keep up your courage' or 'take heart' highlight morale. In a storm after two weeks adrift, morale is the main sense. 'Cheer up' can sound light or flippant to a modern ear, which the Greek is not.

How it drifted

'Cheer' once meant one's face, mood or spirits ('be of good cheer' = be in good spirits). Today 'cheerful' suggests bright happiness, which narrows a word about keeping heart in the face of danger.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only in Acts 27:22, 25 and James 5:13 ('Is anyone cheerful?'). The adjective appears in Acts 24:10 (adverb) and 27:36 ('they all were encouraged', euthymoi). In Greek moral philosophy euthymia was a well-known ideal. Democritus wrote on it, and Seneca's De tranquillitate animi translates the idea as 'tranquillity'. In papyrus letters, forms of the verb appear as everyday encouragement.