ἀξίως

From the study of Colossians 1:10

Range of meaning

'Worthily, suitably, in a manner corresponding to.' The adjective ἄξιος originally described something that balances the scale against something else. It means 'of equal weight', and so 'fitting'.

Against the English

English 'worthy' can suggest merit or deserving ('I'm not worthy'). The Greek adverb is about fit and correspondence: conduct that suits the Lord's honour. NLT's 'honor' captures the honour dimension, but it drops the idea of matching.

How it drifted

In devotional English 'worthy' carries the sense of self-assessed merit. That can make 'walk worthy of the Lord' sound like qualifying for him rather than living in keeping with whose you already are.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek honorary inscriptions praise people for acting 'worthily of the people' or 'worthily of the god/goddess'. Deissmann documented examples from Pergamon of ἀξίως τοῦ θεοῦ / τῆς θεᾶς. Paul uses the same formula: 'worthily of God' (1 Thess 2:12), 'of the calling' (Eph 4:1), 'of the gospel' (Phil 1:27). 3 John 6 has 'worthily of God'.

From the study of Ephesians 4:1

Range of meaning

'Worthily, suitably, in a manner corresponding to'. The adjective axios first meant 'balancing the scale, of equal weight' (LSJ), and from that 'of equal value, deserving, fitting'. With a genitive ('worthily of X') it means 'in a way that fits X, that does justice to X'.

Against the English

Modern English 'worthy' often suggests merit: being good enough to deserve something. That is not the point here. The call has already happened ('you were called'), and the walk should match it, the way a life might be 'worthy of' a family name.

How it drifted

'Worthy' in English has slid toward 'deserving, having earned'. In Christian use it is also coloured by debates about merit and grace, and many readers hear 'live well enough to deserve God's call'. The Greek word carries correspondence and fittingness, not qualification.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek honorary inscriptions praise benefactors and officials who acted 'worthily of the people' or 'worthily of the god' (Deissmann noted 'worthily of the god' in inscriptions from Pergamum). Paul uses the same pattern: 'walk worthily of God, who calls you' (1 Thessalonians 2:12), 'worthily of the gospel' (Philippians 1:27), 'worthily of the Lord' (Colossians 1:10). Wisdom 3:5 has God finding the righteous 'worthy of himself'.

From the study of 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Range of meaning

'Worthily, suitably, in a manner that corresponds to'. From axios, originally 'weighing as much as, balancing the scale'. To act axiōs of someone is to act in a way that matches their standing and brings them credit.

Against the English

English 'worthy' easily suggests deserving or earning something ('worthy of reward'). The Greek here points to fittingness: conduct that suits God and reflects well on him, not conduct that makes someone deserve God.

How it drifted

In modern English 'worthy' has drifted toward merit and qualification ('worthy candidate', 'not worthy of love'). In some popular piety this becomes 'earning God's favour'. The Greek adverb is about correspondence and honour.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek civic and religious inscriptions praise people who acted 'worthily of the city' or 'worthily of the gods'. Adolf Deissmann noted the exact phrase axiōs tou theou ('worthily of the god') in inscriptions from Pergamum and Magnesia honouring priests and worshippers. In the NT: Rom 16:2 ('worthily of the saints'); Eph 4:1; Phil 1:27; Col 1:10; 3 John 6.