from εὖ and ἀρεστός; fully agreeable:--acceptable(-ted), wellpleasing.
Transliteration:euárestos
Pronunciation:yoo-ar'-es-tos
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term εὐάρεστος (euárestos, `{{G2101}}`) is a compound adjective derived from two elements: εὖ (eu), meaning "good," "well," or "rightly," and ἀρεστός (arestos, `{{G701}}`), meaning "pleasing" or "agreeable." When combined, euárestos denotes something that is "well-pleasing," "fully agreeable," or "highly acceptable." It carries a stronger connotation than mere "pleasing" or "acceptable," implying a positive and complete approval, something that brings delight or satisfaction. The semantic range thus extends beyond simple compliance to active commendation and favor in the eyes of the one being pleased. It describes that which meets a high standard of approval, often in a moral or spiritual sense.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term εὐάρεστος (euárestos, `{{G2101}}`) appears several times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Pauline epistles and Hebrews, consistently referring to that which is pleasing or acceptable to God.
* In [[Romans 12:1]], Paul exhorts believers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable [euárestos] to God," which he identifies as their "spiritual worship." Here, euárestos describes the quality of a life dedicated to God, emphasizing that such a life is not merely tolerated but genuinely approved and desired by Him.
* [[Romans 14:18]] states, "whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing [euárestos] to God and approved by men." This verse links righteous conduct, particularly in matters of conscience and Christian liberty, directly to divine approval. It underscores that actions stemming from faith and love are those that God finds truly agreeable.
* In [[2 Corinthians 5:9]], Paul declares, "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing [euárestos] to him." This highlights the believer's overarching ambition: to live in a manner that consistently brings pleasure to the Lord, regardless of circumstances or earthly state.
* [[Ephesians 5:10]] urges believers to "find out what is pleasing [euárestos] to the Lord." This command emphasizes the need for discernment in Christian living, encouraging believers to actively seek and understand God's will so that their actions align with His desires.
* [[Philippians 4:18]] describes the financial gift from the Philippian church to Paul as "a fragrant offering, an acceptable [euárestos] sacrifice, pleasing [euárestos] to God." Here, the term elevates an act of material generosity to the status of a spiritual sacrifice that God receives with favor and delight.
* [[Colossians 3:20]] instructs children to "obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing [euárestos] in the Lord." This demonstrates that even seemingly mundane acts of obedience within the family structure are viewed by God as acceptable and delightful when performed in faith.
* In [[Hebrews 12:28]], the author encourages believers to "offer to God acceptable [euárestos] worship, with reverence and awe." This underscores the necessity of a worship that is not only formal but also characterized by a deep respect and holy fear of God, making it truly pleasing in His sight.
* Finally, [[Hebrews 13:21]] prays that God would "equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing [euárestos] in his sight, through Jesus Christ." This verse attributes the ability to perform God-pleasing actions to God's own work within believers, emphasizing divine enablement for acceptable living.
Across these contexts, euárestos consistently describes actions, attitudes, or a way of life that meets with God's full approval and delight, often in the realm of Christian ethics, worship, and faithful service.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word εὐάρεστος (euárestos, `{{G2101}}`) is closely related to its root forms and other theological concepts:
* ἀρεστός (arestos, `{{G701}}`): "pleasing," "agreeable." While arestos simply means "pleasing," the prefix εὖ (eu) in euárestos intensifies this, indicating something "well-pleasing" or "excellently pleasing."
* ἀρέσκω (areskō, `{{G700}}`): The verb form, "to please," "to be agreeable." This verb highlights the action of pleasing, from which the adjective arestos and thus euárestos are derived.
* εὐαρεστέω (euarestéō, `{{G2100}}`): The verb form of euárestos, meaning "to be well-pleasing" or "to please well." This verb appears in passages like [[Hebrews 11:5-6]], describing Enoch's walk with God and the necessity of faith to please God.
The concept of being euárestos to God is foundational to several theological ideas:
* **Obedience and Righteousness:** Living in a way that is euárestos to God inherently involves obedience to His commands and a pursuit of righteousness.
* **Acceptable Worship and Sacrifice:** The term is frequently applied to acts of worship, giving, and service, elevating them to the status of spiritual sacrifices that are truly pleasing to God.
* **Discernment of God's Will:** To be euárestos requires understanding what God desires, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment.
* **Divine Approval and Favor:** Ultimately, the goal of being euárestos is to receive God's favor and approval, not merely to avoid His wrath.
* **Contrast with Human-Pleasing:** The New Testament often contrasts seeking to please God with seeking to please humans (e.g., [[Galatians 1:10]], [[1 Thessalonians 2:4]]), underscoring that God's approval is the ultimate aim.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of εὐάρεστος (euárestos, `{{G2101}}`) is profound, encapsulating a core aspect of the Christian life: living in a way that brings genuine delight and approval to God. It moves beyond a minimalistic understanding of obedience (merely avoiding sin) to a maximalist pursuit of actively pleasing the Divine.
This concept highlights that God is not a distant, indifferent deity, but one who takes pleasure in the actions and character of His people. It emphasizes the relational aspect of faith, where believers seek to honor and gladden the heart of their heavenly Father. The Spirit-empowered life of a believer, marked by holiness, love, and sacrificial service, is presented as the "spiritual worship" that God finds euárestos.
Furthermore, euárestos implies a transformation of the believer's will and desires to align with God's. It is not about external performance for show, but an internal disposition that genuinely seeks to honor God in all things. This is made possible through Christ, as [[Hebrews 13:21]] indicates, where God Himself works in believers "that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ." Thus, being euárestos is both a human aspiration and a divine enablement. It underscores that true Christian living is a life lived for God's pleasure, reflecting His character and advancing His kingdom.
### Summary
εὐάρεστος (euárestos, `{{G2101}}`) is a Greek adjective meaning "well-pleasing," "fully agreeable," or "highly acceptable." It combines εὖ (good, well) with ἀρεστός (pleasing) to convey a strong sense of divine approval and delight. In the New Testament, particularly in the Pauline epistles and Hebrews, this term consistently describes actions, attitudes, and a way of life that God finds genuinely commendable and satisfying. It is applied to diverse aspects of Christian existence, including the presentation of one's body as a living sacrifice ([[Romans 12:1]]), righteous conduct ([[Romans 14:18]]), the believer's overarching aim in life ([[2 Corinthians 5:9]]), discerning God's will ([[Ephesians 5:10]]), generous giving ([[Philippians 4:18]]), children's obedience ([[Colossians 3:20]]), and acceptable worship ([[Hebrews 12:28]]). The theological significance of euárestos lies in its emphasis on living a life that actively seeks and receives God's favor, reflecting a transformed character and a deep desire to honor Him in all things, empowered by His grace through Jesus Christ.
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