Greek word · G2122

εὐκαίρως

eukairōs

well timed

Two adverbs built on kairos, 'the right moment, the opportune time'. Eukairōs means 'at a fitting or convenient time'. Akairōs means 'at an unfitting time, out of place, unwelcome'.

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

What it means

εὐκαίρως

adv., [in LXX: Sirach 18:22 * ;]

seasonably, in season: Mark 14:11; opposite to ἀκ- (Kühner3, iv, 346 d), 2 Timothy 4:2.†

(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 4:2

Range of meaning

Two adverbs built on kairos, 'the right moment, the opportune time'. Eukairōs means 'at a fitting or convenient time'. Akairōs means 'at an unfitting time, out of place, unwelcome'.

Against the English

'In season and out of season' is accurate but now sounds poetic. Many readers hear 'seasons of life' (good times or hard times for me). The Greek is about timing and opportunity: whether the moment seems suitable and whether the hearers welcome it. NLT 'whether the time is favorable or not' is clear.

How it drifted

Popular talk of 'seasons' in life and ministry has given 'season' an emotional and biographical colour that kairos here does not have.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mark 14:11: Judas looks for how to betray Jesus eukairōs, 'at a convenient moment'. Sirach 32:4 (Septuagint) warns against showing off wisdom akairōs, 'at the wrong time'. Greek moral philosophers argued about when frank correction was appropriate. Plutarch's essay on telling a flatterer from a friend stresses the right moment, while some Cynic preachers were criticised for rebuking regardless of timing (Malherbe, JBL 1984).

Similar words

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 14:11 εὐκαίρως conveniently

    They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 4:2 εὐκαίρως in season

    Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

    Here: 'When the moment is right,' when the time is convenient and the hearing is welcome.

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