Greek word · G2163

εὔφημος

euphēmos

commendable

Literally 'well-speaking' or 'well-sounding'. In religious settings it meant speech of good omen, and the related verb meant keeping reverent silence during rites. More generally it meant well spoken of, of good repute, commendable, attractive.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

εὔφημος, -ον

(εὖ, φήμη), [in Sm.: Psalms 63:6 ;]

primarily, utter­ing words or sounds of good omen, hence,

1. avoiding ill-omened words, religiously silent.

2. fair-sounding, auspicious (R, mg., gracious): Philippians 4:8.†

(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 Philippians 4:8

Range of meaning

Literally 'well-speaking' or 'well-sounding'. In religious settings it meant speech of good omen, and the related verb meant keeping reverent silence during rites. More generally it meant well spoken of, of good repute, commendable, attractive.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'of good report', NASB 'of good repute', BSB 'admirable', ESV 'commendable'. Translations split between a passive sense (spoken of well) and an active one (speaking well, winsome), and the word can carry both.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found only here in the New Testament. Common in classical and Hellenistic Greek, including religious contexts of auspicious speech. BDAG gives 'praiseworthy, attractive, appealing'.

Similar words

Where it appears

Philippians · 1

  1. Philippians 4:8 εὔφημα, admirable —

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

    Here: Literally 'well-sounding'. It means what is spoken of well, has a good name, sounds right and is fit to be said aloud. This is its only use in the New Testament.

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