Word Study for G153 (αἰσχύνομαι)

aischýnomai /ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom (disfigurement, i.e. disgrace)

Meaningto feel shame (for oneself)

KJV usagebe ashamed.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of aischýnomai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word aischýnomai, represented by G153, is derived from a word meaning disfigurement or disgrace and is defined as to feel shame (for oneself). It appears 7 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible, where it consistently denotes a sense of shame or disgrace, whether from worldly circumstances or spiritual standing.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G153 is used in contexts of both personal conduct and spiritual identity. It describes the worldly shame of an unjust steward who finds himself too proud to dig and ashamed to beg Luke 16:3. In a spiritual context, believers are exhorted not to be ashamed if they suffer as Christians, but rather to glorify God 1 Peter 4:16. The Apostle Paul expresses his hope that he will in no way be ashamed, but that Christ will be magnified in his body Philippians 1:20. This idea extends to the final judgment, where abiding in Christ ensures believers will have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 John 2:28.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are used in contrast to or in connection with G153, clarifying its meaning:

G3954 parrhēsía (all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness...assurance): This word for confidence or boldness is presented as the opposite of being ashamed. Believers who abide in Christ will have confidence instead of shame at His appearing 1 John 2:28, and Paul's hope is to have boldness Philippians 1:20.
G1392 doxázō (to render (or esteem) glorious): Instead of feeling shame for suffering as a Christian, the believer is commanded to glorify God 1 Peter 4:16. This positions glorifying God as the proper response in situations that might otherwise lead to shame.
G2744 kaucháomai (to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)): Paul states that even if he were to boast more about the authority the Lord gave him, he would not be ashamed, suggesting a righteous confidence that is free from shame 2 Corinthians 10:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G153 is centered on the believer's ultimate identity and standing in Christ.

A Reversal of Worldly Values: While the world may cause shame for things like poverty Luke 16:3, the gospel reorients this perspective. Suffering for the name of Christ is not a cause for shame, but an opportunity to glorify G1392 God 1 Peter 4:16.
Confidence in Salvation: The absence of shame is directly linked to the believer's hope G1680 and assurance in Christ. This hope provides boldness G3954 in life and death Philippians 1:20.
Eschatological Vindication: The ultimate test of a believer's life is whether they will stand with confidence G3954 or be ashamed G153 when Christ shall appear G5319 1 John 2:28. A life lived in Christ removes the basis for future shame.

Summary

In summary, G153 is a powerful word that contrasts worldly disgrace with spiritual honor. It challenges believers to live in a way that magnifies Christ, so that rather than feeling shame for their faith or actions, they possess a divine confidence. This confidence is rooted in their relationship with Christ, enabling them to endure suffering, exercise authority, and ultimately stand boldly before God at His coming.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Passive Indicative 1st Singular 2×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 1st Plural 1×
Present Middle Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Middle Indicative 1st Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 5 of the 27 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 22.

Luke

2 Corinthians

Philippians

1 Peter

1 John

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.