### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἔξυπνος (G1853), transliterated as *éxypnos*, is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the noun ὕπνος (hypnos, `{{G5258}}`), meaning "sleep." Therefore, its core meaning is "out of sleep," which naturally translates to "awake." The semantic range of ἔξυπνος is quite narrow, primarily denoting a literal physical state of being roused from slumber. It describes the condition of having transitioned from unconscious sleep to a state of full consciousness and alertness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἔξυπνος (G1853) is exceedingly rare in the New Testament, appearing only once. Its singular occurrence is found in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 16:27]]**: "And the jailer, awaking out of sleep (ἔξυπνος γενόμενος) and seeing the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped."
In this pivotal narrative, the word is used to describe the Philippian jailer's sudden and complete physical awakening. The phrase "ἔξυπνος γενόμενος" (having become awake) emphasizes the immediate and abrupt nature of his transition from sleep to full awareness. This awakening is triggered by the great earthquake, which not only shook the foundations of the prison but also opened all the doors and loosed everyone's bonds. The jailer's immediate reaction upon being "out of sleep" is one of panic and despair, leading him to contemplate suicide, as the escape of prisoners would result in severe punishment for him. Here, ἔξυπνος serves a purely descriptive function, setting the scene for the dramatic encounter between the jailer and Paul and Silas, which ultimately leads to his conversion.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share a semantic field with ἔξυπνος (G1853), though they often carry broader or more active connotations:
* **ὕπνος (hypnos, `{{G5258}}`)**: The foundational noun for "sleep." ἔξυπνος describes the state *after* sleep, making ὕπνος its direct antonym in a temporal sense.
* **ἐγείρω (egeiro, `{{G1453}}`)**: This verb means "to raise up," "to awaken," or "to arouse." It can refer to physical awakening from sleep (e.g., [[Matthew 8:25]]) or, more significantly, to resurrection from death (e.g., [[Matthew 28:6]]). While ἔξυπνος describes the state of being awake, ἐγείρω describes the *act* of awakening or being awakened.
* **ἀνίστημι (anistemi, `{{G450}}`)**: Meaning "to stand up" or "to rise," this verb can also be used in the context of rising from sleep (e.g., [[Mark 1:35]]) or, most prominently, rising from the dead. Like ἐγείρω, it focuses on the action of rising rather than the state of being awake.
* **Spiritual Awakening**: While ἔξυπνος itself is used literally, the broader concept of "awakening" in the New Testament often carries profound spiritual implications. Passages such as [[Romans 13:11]] ("It is high time to wake out of sleep") and [[Ephesians 5:14]] ("Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you") use forms of ἐγείρω to call believers to spiritual vigilance and to shed the slumber of sin or spiritual apathy. Though ἔξυπνος does not directly convey this spiritual meaning, its literal use in the narrative of the jailer's conversion subtly foreshadows his subsequent spiritual awakening.
### Theological Significance
Due to its singular and literal occurrence in the New Testament, ἔξυπνος (G1853) possesses limited direct theological significance as a standalone term. Its primary role is descriptive, serving to establish the immediate physical state of the Philippian jailer.
However, its placement within the narrative of [[Acts 16]] lends it an indirect, yet profound, theological resonance. The jailer's physical awakening from sleep (ἔξυπνος γενόμενος) immediately precedes his spiritual awakening to the gospel message. The sudden, jarring event of the earthquake jolts him out of his ordinary state of unawareness, both physically and spiritually. This literal "out of sleep" moment sets the stage for a radical confrontation with the power of God and the truth of Christ, leading directly to his conversion and the baptism of his entire household.
In this context, the literal awakening serves as a narrative precursor to a deeper, spiritual transformation. It subtly underscores the idea that God can use even chaotic or alarming circumstances to rouse individuals from spiritual slumber (a concept more explicitly addressed by other terms like ἐγείρω) and draw them to salvation. The jailer's desperate cry, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" ([[Acts 16:30]]), is a direct consequence of his being jolted "out of sleep" and into a confrontation with divine power and grace.
### Summary
The Greek word ἔξυπνος (G1853) literally means "out of sleep" or "awake," derived from ἐκ (out of) and ὕπνος (sleep). It appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Acts 16:27]], where it describes the Philippian jailer's sudden physical awakening from sleep due to an earthquake. While primarily a descriptive term for a physical state, its unique occurrence within the dramatic narrative of the jailer's conversion holds indirect theological significance. It serves as a narrative catalyst, setting the scene for a profound spiritual awakening that follows the literal one. Though ἔξυπνος itself does not convey spiritual meaning, it highlights how a sudden jolt from unawareness can lead to a confrontation with truth and a subsequent transformation, echoing broader New Testament themes of spiritual vigilance and awakening from spiritual slumber.
TRV