εὐφροσύνη

From the study of Acts 2:28

Range of meaning

Good cheer, merriment, festive gladness. In Greek writers it is typical of banquets and feasts; one of the three Graces was named Euphrosyne. In the LXX it usually renders Hebrew śimḥâ, the joy of festivals, harvest, weddings and worship before the LORD.

Against the English

BSB, NIV, KJV, YLT and NLT have "joy"; WEB, ESV and NASB have "gladness." Both are fair translations. "Gladness" keeps a little more of the outward, celebrating tone. "Joy" can sound like a quiet inner spiritual state.

How it drifted

In church English, "joy" has come to mean a deep inner contentment, often set against "happiness." Euphrosynē is not that distinction. It is the gladness of a feast, shown openly and shared.

Used elsewhere in the period

The only other New Testament use is Acts 14:17, where God fills hearts "with food and gladness" (trophēs kai euphrosynēs), with eating and joy side by side. The related verb euphrainō describes the feast for the returning son in Luke 15:23–24, 32. In Deuteronomy the command is to "rejoice before the LORD" at the pilgrimage feasts (Deut 16:11, 14–15), with LXX euphrainō.

From the study of Acts 14:17

Range of meaning

'Gladness, good cheer, merriment', especially the joy of feasting, festivals and banquets. Euphrosynē was even one of the three Graces in Greek myth. In the Greek Old Testament it often translates simchah, the joy of festivals and harvest.

Against the English

'Gladness' (KJV, ESV, NASB, BSB, WEB) is accurate. NIV and NLT say 'joy' and attach it to the heart ('fills your hearts with joy', 'joyful hearts'), separating it from the food. That breaks up the single picture of a feast in which food and gladness fill the heart together.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament: Ps 4:7 (LXX 4:8), gladness 'more than when their grain and wine abound'. Deut 16:15 ties festival joy to harvest. Acts 2:28 (quoting Ps 16:11) uses 'gladness' of God's presence. In ordinary Greek it is the word for the cheer of a banquet.