### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G1791 (entropḗ) is derived from the verb G1788 (entrepo). The root verb entrepo carries a primary sense of "to turn oneself towards" or "to turn in upon oneself." In its middle or passive voice, it frequently means "to be ashamed," "to be put to shame," or "to feel reverence/awe."
Building upon this, G1791 (entropḗ) denotes the resultant state or feeling of being "turned in upon oneself" due to a sense of disgrace, humiliation, or moral failure. Its core meaning is "shame," often implying a feeling of dishonor, embarrassment, or confusion arising from a perceived or actual transgression. It is not merely an intellectual confusion, but a profound emotional and moral discomfort that arises when one's actions or state fall short of expected standards, particularly divine ones. The nuance of "confusion" in the base definition points to the disoriented state that often accompanies profound shame.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G1791 (entropḗ) appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians:
* **[[1 Corinthians 6:5]]:** "I say this to your shame (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν)."
* **Context:** Paul is rebuking the Corinthian believers for engaging in lawsuits against one another before secular courts, rather than resolving their disputes within the Christian community. He questions whether there is no one wise enough among them to settle such matters.
* **Analysis:** Here, entropḗ signifies the disgrace or dishonor that accrues to the Corinthian church as a whole due to their unspiritual and worldly behavior. Their actions are a public scandal, undermining the integrity and witness of the church. Paul uses "shame" as a sharp rhetorical tool, intending to prick their consciences and expose the incongruity between their Christian identity and their ungodly conduct. The shame is meant to provoke a change in behavior and a return to internal, Spirit-led conflict resolution.
* **[[1 Corinthians 15:34]]:** "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν)."
* **Context:** Paul is addressing the denial of the resurrection among some Corinthians, urging them to "wake up" from their spiritual stupor and cease associating with those whose corrupting influence is leading them astray.
* **Analysis:** Similar to [[1 Corinthians 6:5]], entropḗ here functions as a severe admonition. The shame is directed at those who are living in spiritual ignorance, embracing false doctrines, and allowing themselves to be corrupted by ungodly associations. Their lack of understanding regarding fundamental truths like the resurrection is a source of profound shame. Paul's intent is to shock them into spiritual sobriety and a renewed pursuit of righteousness, emphasizing that such ignorance is unbecoming of believers who claim to know God.
In both instances, Paul employs entropḗ as a pedagogical and disciplinary tool. The shame invoked is not meant to be condemning or paralyzing, but rather a corrective, intended to expose sin and spiritual immaturity, thereby prompting repentance and a return to a more fitting Christian walk.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **G1788 (entrepo):** The verb from which G1791 (entropḗ) is derived. It can mean "to turn towards" (often with respect or reverence) or, in the passive, "to be ashamed." Entropḗ is the resulting noun, denoting the state of shame.
* **G152 (aischunē):** This is another common Greek word for "shame," "disgrace," or "dishonor." While entropḗ often carries the nuance of an internal feeling of being put to shame, aischunē can refer more broadly to the objective state of disgrace or something that is inherently shameful or ugly. Both words convey a sense of dishonor, but entropḗ often emphasizes the *feeling* or *experience* of it.
* **G808 (aschēmosynē):** Meaning "indecency," "nakedness," or "shamefulness." It denotes a state of being uncovered or indecent, which naturally leads to shame, as seen in [[Revelation 16:15]].
* **G127 (aidōs):** This word signifies "reverence," "awe," or "modesty." It can also imply a positive sense of shame that restrains one from improper conduct, often associated with a sense of honor or respect. Unlike entropḗ, which often denotes a painful or corrective shame, aidōs can refer to a healthy, virtuous sense of shame that prevents sin.
* **Repentance:** The shame implied by entropḗ in the New Testament is consistently presented as a catalyst for repentance. It is a divine discipline designed to lead individuals and communities to acknowledge their failings and turn back to God.
### Theological Significance
The use of G1791 (entropḗ) in the New Testament carries significant theological weight:
* **Divine Discipline and Correction:** Paul's deployment of entropḗ demonstrates that the experience of shame can be a legitimate and necessary tool in God's disciplinary process within the covenant community. This is not a condemnatory shame that leads to despair, but a redemptive shame intended to expose sin, prompt self-reflection, and facilitate a turning back to righteous living. It is a painful but ultimately beneficial experience, akin to a surgeon's scalpel.
* **Community Accountability:** The shame invoked by Paul is often directed at the corporate body of believers for failing to live up to their calling in Christ. It underscores the communal responsibility of the church to maintain purity, wisdom, and a strong witness to the world. Individual or corporate sin brings shame not only upon the perpetrators but also upon the name of Christ and His church.
* **Moral Conscience and Spiritual Sensitivity:** To feel entropḗ in response to sin or unrighteousness is a sign of a healthy moral conscience and spiritual sensitivity. Conversely, a lack of shame in the face of blatant sin indicates a hardened heart and spiritual insensitivity, a condition often condemned in the Old Testament (e.g., [[Jeremiah 6:15]], [[Zephaniah 3:5]]).
* **Contrast with Worldly Shame:** Biblical entropḗ differs fundamentally from worldly shame. Worldly shame often focuses on external appearance, social standing, or failure to meet human expectations. Biblical entropḗ, however, points to an internal moral or spiritual failure, a deviation from God's righteous standards. Its ultimate purpose is restorative, aiming for spiritual health and conformity to Christ's image, rather than mere social conformity or avoiding embarrassment.
### Summary
The Greek noun G1791 (entropḗ) denotes the feeling or state of "shame" or "disgrace," derived from the verb G1788 (entrepo), meaning "to turn oneself in" or "to be ashamed." In its two New Testament occurrences within Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians ([[1 Corinthians 6:5]], [[1 Corinthians 15:34]]), entropḗ functions as a powerful rhetorical device. Paul employs it to highlight the Corinthians' spiritual immaturity, worldly conduct (such as suing fellow believers), and lack of understanding concerning fundamental Christian truths (like the resurrection). The purpose of invoking entropḗ is not condemnation but rather correction; it is a catalyst for repentance, a renewed commitment to righteous living, and a restoration of proper conduct within the Christian community. Thus, entropḗ signifies a divinely ordained, disciplinary shame intended to lead believers to acknowledge their failings and align their lives more fully with the will of God.
TRV