Greek word · G4241

πρέπω

prepō

be proper

To be fitting, suitable, becoming, or in keeping with someone's character or station. In Greek religious and philosophical writing, 'what is fitting for God' (to theoprepes) was a standard test of whether a claim about the divine was worthy of it.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

πρέπω

[in LXX: Psalms 93:5 (נָאָה pi.), etc. ;]

1. to be clearly seen.

2. to resemble.

3. to be fitting or becoming, to suit: with dative, Hebrews 7:26, 1 Timothy 2:10, Titus 2:1; impers., with dative, Ephesians 5:3; id. before inf., Hebrews 2:10; πρέπον ἐστίν, with dative of person(s) and inf., Matthew 3:15; with accusative and inf., 1 Corinthians 11:13 (see Bl., § 72, 5).†

(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 Hebrews 2:10

Range of meaning

To be fitting, suitable, becoming, or in keeping with someone's character or station. In Greek religious and philosophical writing, 'what is fitting for God' (to theoprepes) was a standard test of whether a claim about the divine was worthy of it.

Against the English

KJV and WEB 'it became him' uses 'become' in its old sense of 'suited him', which modern readers can misread as 'it happened to him'. BSB 'it was fitting' and YLT 'it was becoming to Him' keep the right idea.

How it drifted

In older English 'become' meant 'befit' (as in 'that dress becomes you'). That sense has largely faded.

Used elsewhere in the period

Plato (Republic 2.379–381) argues that what is fitting for the gods excludes change and suffering. Philo often asks what is 'fitting' (prepei) for God, and Hellenistic Judaism generally held that God cannot suffer. Elsewhere in the NT: Matt 3:15 ('it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness'), Heb 7:26.

From the study of Matthew 3:15

Range of meaning

To be fitting, suitable, becoming, appropriate to a person, role or occasion.

Against the English

KJV "becometh" is old English for "suits, is fitting" (as in "that colour becomes you"). "Proper" or "fitting" is accurate. NLT's "must" turns it into necessity, which is stronger than the Greek.

How it drifted

KJV's "becometh us" is misunderstood today because "become" now mostly means "turn into."

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek moral philosophy made "the fitting" (to prepon) a key idea, behaviour suited to one's role (Panaetius; Cicero's decorum). In the New Testament: Heb 2:10 "it was fitting for him … to make perfect through sufferings"; Heb 7:26; 1 Cor 11:13; Eph 5:3; 1 Tim 2:10; Titus 2:1.

From the study of Ephesians 5:3

Range of meaning

To be fitting, suitable, becoming. Originally 'to be conspicuous'. In Greek ethics to prepon ('the fitting', Latin decorum) was conduct that matches one's role and station.

Against the English

KJV/YLT/WEB 'becometh' is archaic but well-chosen, as in 'that dress becomes you'. 'Proper' (BSB, ESV) is accurate but can sound like mere etiquette.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in Greek moral philosophy (Stoic writers; Cicero's De Officiis on decorum). In the NT: 1 Cor 11:13; 1 Tim 2:10; Titus 2:1.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 3:15 πρέπον fitting

    “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.

    Here: "Fitting," "appropriate." It describes what suits the roles and the moment, not a bare legal requirement. Jesus does not say "it is necessary" (dei) but "it is fitting."

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:13 πρέπον Becoming

    Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Ephesians · 1

  1. Ephesians 5:3 πρέπει is proper

    But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

    Here: Language of what suits a person's standing, like clothes that fit someone's rank. Behaviour should match identity.

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 2:10 πρέπει is becoming

    but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

    Here: 'It suits, it befits.' A standard word in Greek moral writing for conduct that matches who you are. It is about appropriateness and reputation, not a bare command.

Titus · 1

  1. Titus 2:1 πρέπει are consistent with

    But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.

    Here: 'What is fitting for' or 'what suits'. The word carries a sense of propriety and seemliness: what looks right on, and belongs with, healthy teaching. It is the vocabulary of fit and decorum, not of logical agreement.

Hebrews · 2

  1. Hebrews 2:10 ἔπρεπεν It was fitting

    In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

    Here: Impersonal 'it was fitting': the suffering route matched who God is. It answers people who thought a suffering Messiah was beneath God's dignity. The past tense looks back on the plan as God carried it out.

  2. Hebrews 7:26 ἔπρεπεν was fitting

    Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

    Here: Describes what suits the situation and what is worthy of God's way of acting. It echoes 2:10 ("it was fitting for him"). The imperfect tense presents it as a standing fact: this is the priest our situation called for.

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