from εὐάρεστος; to gratify entirely:--please (well).
Transliteration:euarestéō
Pronunciation:yoo-ar-es-teh'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb εὐαρεστέω (euarestéō, `{{G2100}}`) is a compound word derived from εὖ (eu, "well, good") and ἀρέσκω (areskō, `{{G700}}`, "to please"). Its base definition, "to gratify entirely," encapsulates this etymology, signifying "to please well," "to be well-pleasing," or "to be entirely satisfactory." The prefix εὖ intensifies the meaning of pleasing, elevating it beyond mere acceptance to a state of deep approval, delight, and profound satisfaction.
Unlike its simpler root ἀρέσκω, which can sometimes carry a neutral or even negative connotation (e.g., pleasing people rather than God), εὐαρεστέω almost exclusively conveys a positive sense, particularly when God is the object of the pleasing. It describes actions or a way of life that genuinely brings pleasure and commendation from a superior, most notably the Divine. The semantic range thus centers on divine approval, acceptance, and the joy God takes in the faithful actions of His people.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb εὐαρεστέω appears sparingly in the New Testament, but its few occurrences are profoundly significant, primarily in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
* **[[Hebrews 11:5]]**: "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. For before his taking he had been commended as having pleased God." Here, the perfect participle εὐηρεστηκέναι denotes a completed state of having pleased God. Enoch's life, characterized by faith, was consistently pleasing to God, leading to his unique translation without experiencing death. This verse establishes a direct link between faith and divine pleasure, illustrating that God's commendation is a result of a life lived in a way that gratifies Him.
* **[[Hebrews 11:6]]**: "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." This is a foundational theological statement. It unequivocally declares faith as the indispensable prerequisite for pleasing God. The inability to please God without faith underscores that outward actions, no matter how seemingly righteous, are insufficient if not rooted in a genuine, trusting belief in God's existence and His character as a rewarder. This verse emphasizes the internal disposition of the heart as paramount for divine acceptance.
While the verb εὐαρεστέω is limited to these two verses in the New Testament, its cognate adjective εὐάρεστος (euarestos, `{{G2101}}`) is more frequent and reinforces the concept of what is "well-pleasing" to God (e.g., [[Romans 12:1]], [[Ephesians 5:10]], [[Philippians 4:18]], [[Colossians 3:20]], [[Titus 2:9]]). These passages broaden the scope to include various aspects of Christian living: presenting one's body as a living sacrifice, discerning God's will, walking in love, offering financial support for ministry, obeying parents, and serving masters.
In the Septuagint (LXX), εὐαρεστέω is notably used to translate the Hebrew הָלַךְ (halak, `{{H1980}}`) in the phrase "Enoch walked with God" ([[Genesis 5:22]], [[Genesis 5:24]]). This translation choice indicates that "walking with God" was understood as a life that was profoundly "well-pleasing" to Him, further cementing the link between righteous conduct and divine approval.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **εὐάρεστος (euarestos, `{{G2101}}`):** The adjectival form, meaning "well-pleasing," "acceptable," or "agreeable." This cognate is crucial for understanding the full scope of what pleases God in the New Testament, extending the concept from the foundational faith to practical expressions of Christian life.
* **ἀρέσκω (areskō, `{{G700}}`):** The simpler verb "to please." While εὐαρεστέω denotes a high degree of pleasing, ἀρέσκω can be more general and, as noted, can even carry negative connotations when referring to pleasing humans rather than God ([[Galatians 1:10]]). The "eu-" prefix in εὐαρεστέω distinguishes it as a higher, more complete form of pleasing.
* **πίστις (pistis, `{{G4102}}`):** "Faith." As explicitly stated in [[Hebrews 11:6]], faith is the essential condition for pleasing God. It is the fundamental posture of trust and reliance on God that makes all other actions acceptable to Him.
* **ἔργον (ergon, `{{G2041}}`):** "Work, deed." While faith is primary, the New Testament also emphasizes that good works and righteous deeds are a natural outflow of faith and are also "well-pleasing" to God ([[Hebrews 13:16]]).
* **θυσία (thysia, `{{G2378}}`):** "Sacrifice." In the New Testament, spiritual sacrifices such as praise, good deeds, and sharing with others are described as being "well-pleasing" to God, akin to acceptable offerings in the Old Covenant ([[Hebrews 13:16]], [[Philippians 4:18]]).
* **ἀρετή (aretē, `{{G703}}`):** "Virtue, excellence." A life that pleases God is one marked by moral and spiritual excellence, reflecting His character.
### Theological Significance
The concept of εὐαρεστέω carries profound theological weight, illuminating the nature of humanity's relationship with God and the character of true worship.
1. **God's Desire for Delight:** At its core, εὐαρεστέω reveals that God is not merely a distant judge but a relational being who takes pleasure in the actions and attitudes of His people. He desires to be pleased, and this pleasure is rooted in genuine faith and faithful living.
2. **Faith as the Prerequisite for Divine Approval:** [[Hebrews 11:6]] stands as a theological pillar, asserting that faith is the indispensable means by which humans can truly please God. This emphasizes that pleasing God is not achieved through human effort, ritual, or outward conformity alone, but through a heart that trusts in His existence and His benevolent nature. Without this foundational faith, all other endeavors fall short of truly gratifying Him.
3. **Holistic Living as Worship:** While faith is foundational, the broader New Testament usage of εὐάρεστος (the adjective) demonstrates that a life lived in obedience to God's will across all domains—ethical conduct, relationships, giving, and service—is also well-pleasing to Him. This transforms everyday life into an act of worship, where every action done in faith can bring delight to God.
4. **The New Covenant Context:** In Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives that please God. The Old Testament sacrifices, which could only temporarily atone for sin, are replaced by the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, enabling believers to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds that are eternally "well-pleasing" to God ([[Hebrews 13:16]]).
5. **Eschatological Reward:** The example of Enoch ([[Hebrews 11:5]]) demonstrates that a life lived pleasing to God leads to divine commendation and ultimate reward. This provides a powerful motivation for believers to strive for a life that consistently brings joy to their Creator, with the promise of eternal blessing.
### Summary
The Greek verb εὐαρεστέω (euarestéō, `{{G2100}}`) signifies "to please well" or "to be entirely gratifying," denoting a profound and positive satisfaction, particularly on the part of God. Its most significant New Testament uses in [[Hebrews 11:5]] and [[Hebrews 11:6]] establish faith as the absolute prerequisite for pleasing God, exemplified by Enoch's faithful walk. This concept extends beyond mere internal belief to encompass a life of holistic obedience, as seen in the broader use of its cognate εὐάρεστος (`{{G2101}}`), which describes various aspects of Christian conduct as "well-pleasing" to God. Theologically, εὐαρεστέω underscores God's desire for a relationship characterized by human faith and obedience that brings Him profound delight and approval. It highlights that true worship involves a life lived in genuine trust and conformity to His will, leading to divine commendation and eternal reward.
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