Word Study for G1933 (ἐπιεικής)

epieikḗs /ep-ee-i-kace'/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐπί and εἴκω

Meaningappropriate, i.e. (by implication) mild

KJV usagegentle, moderation, patient.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of epieikḗs — 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 ἐπιεικής (epieikḗs), represented by G1933, is defined as appropriate, or by implication, mild. It is translated in scripture as gentle, moderation, and patient. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses, highlighting its role as a key characteristic of godly character and conduct.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the Bible, G1933 is used to define the character of both leaders and followers. As a quality of heavenly wisdom, it is listed as gentle, alongside being peaceable and full of mercy James 3:17. Christians are instructed to let their moderation be known to all people Philippians 4:5. As a qualification for church leadership, it is presented as being patient, in contrast to being a brawler or greedy 1 Timothy 3:3. This virtue is not reserved for easy circumstances; servants are to be subject not only to good and gentle masters but also to the froward 1 Peter 2:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G1933 by association or contrast:

G269 ámachos (peaceable:--not a brawler): This quality is listed alongside being patient G1933 in the qualifications for church leaders, directly contrasting a calm disposition with a contentious one 1 Timothy 3:3.
G4236 praiótēs (gentleness, by implication, humility:--meekness): This virtue is presented as a companion to being gentle G1933, with believers commanded to be gentle, "shewing all meekness unto all men" Titus 3:2.
G4646 skoliós (warped, i.e. winding; figuratively, perverse:--crooked, froward, untoward): This term stands in direct opposition to G1933, used to describe masters who are froward as opposed to those who are good and gentle 1 Peter 2:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1933 is demonstrated in its application across different aspects of the Christian life.

An Attribute of Divine Wisdom: The term is an essential component of "the wisdom that is from above," which is described as first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy and good fruits James 3:17.
A Standard for Christian Leadership: Being patient G1933 is a required quality for a church leader, distinguishing them from those who are violent or motivated by greed 1 Timothy 3:3.
A Universal Christian Virtue: The command to be gentle and show meekness is directed at all believers, indicating that this is a foundational aspect of Christian witness to all people Titus 3:2. Similarly, believers should be known by their moderation Philippians 4:5.

Summary

In summary, G1933 is far more than a simple suggestion of mildness. It is a defining characteristic of wisdom from God, a requirement for spiritual leadership, and a command for every believer's public conduct. Whether translated as gentle, moderation, or patient, it points to a controlled and gracious strength that should be evident in a Christian's interactions with all people, under any circumstance.

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 an adjective across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Nominative Singular Feminine 1×
Nominative Singular Neuter 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.

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.

Philippians

1 Timothy

Titus

James

1 Peter

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.