from a compound of εὖ and νοῦς; to be well- minded, i.e. reconcile:--agree.
Transliteration:eunoéō
Pronunciation:yoo-no-eh'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb εὐνοέω (eunoéō, `{{G2132}}`) is a compound word formed from the adverb εὖ (eu, meaning "well" or "good") and the noun νοῦς (nous, meaning "mind," "intellect," or "understanding"). Etymologically, it signifies "to be well-minded," "to think well of," or "to have a good disposition towards someone." This foundational meaning implies an internal attitude of goodwill and positive regard. From this state of being "well-minded," the semantic range extends to "being favorably disposed," "being friendly," and consequently, "to agree" or "to reconcile." The idea is that a good disposition naturally leads to a willingness to come to terms or find common ground. In classical Greek, it could refer to loyalty or goodwill, often in political or social contexts. The Septuagint (LXX) uses εὐνοέω to translate various Hebrew terms conveying favor, agreement, or good counsel, such as in Esther 1:12 where Queen Vashti is described as not willing to come, implying a lack of good disposition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, εὐνοέω (eunoéō, `{{G2132}}`) appears only once, in the Gospel of Matthew:
* **[[Matthew 5:25]]**: "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison."
This solitary occurrence is profoundly significant due to its placement within the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational discourse on the ethics of the Kingdom of God. Jesus' instruction to "agree" (εὐνοέω) with one's adversary is not merely a pragmatic suggestion to avoid legal trouble, though that is a stated consequence. Rather, it calls for a proactive, internal disposition of goodwill and a willingness to reconcile *before* a conflict escalates. The phrase "whiles thou art in the way with him" emphasizes urgency and opportunity. The "well-minded" aspect of εὐνοέω here implies a heart-level willingness to seek peace and resolution, even with an opponent, rather than clinging to resentment or a desire for vindication. It speaks to a transformative ethic that prioritizes reconciliation and justice over the potential for punitive judgment, reflecting a deeper spiritual principle.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of εὐνοέω (eunoéō, `{{G2132}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **εὖ (eu)**: The prefix itself is ubiquitous in the New Testament, forming numerous compound words that denote positive qualities or actions (e.g., εὐαγγελίζω - to proclaim good news; εὐλογέω - to speak well of, bless). Its presence in εὐνοέω underscores the inherently positive and beneficial nature of the "mind" or "disposition" being described.
* **νοῦς (nous, `{{G3563}}`)**: This noun refers to the mind, intellect, or understanding. It is the seat of thought, intention, and moral discernment. The "good mind" implied by εὐνοέω is therefore not merely an intellectual assent, but a moral and volitional orientation towards peace and agreement.
* **καταλλάσσω (katallassō, `{{G2644}}`)**: While εὐνοέω denotes a disposition leading to agreement, καταλλάσσω is the more common and robust term for "to reconcile" in a theological sense, particularly concerning God's reconciliation of humanity to Himself through Christ (e.g., [[Romans 5:10]], [[2 Corinthians 5:18-20]]). εὐνοέω, in its human context, can be seen as a practical outworking or prerequisite for such deeper reconciliation.
* **εἰρήνη (eirēnē, `{{G1515}}`)**: Peace. The disposition of εὐνοέω directly contributes to the establishment and maintenance of peace, both interpersonally and within the community.
* **συμφωνέω (symphōneō, `{{G4856}}`)**: To agree, to be in harmony. This term often refers to verbal or contractual agreement, whereas εὐνοέω emphasizes the underlying mental disposition that facilitates such agreement.
* **Concepts**: The concept of proactive peacemaking, the pursuit of righteousness, the avoidance of litigation, and the call to love one's enemies are all interwoven with the meaning of εὐνοέω. It aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on interpersonal harmony and the resolution of conflict.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence in the New Testament, εὐνοέω (eunoéō, `{{G2132}}`) carries profound theological weight, primarily due to its utterance by Jesus within the Sermon on the Mount. It articulates a core ethical demand of the Kingdom of God:
1. **Kingdom Ethics of Reconciliation**: Jesus' command to "agree" (εὐνοέω) with one's adversary immediately precedes and is implicitly linked to the teaching on anger and murder ([[Matthew 5:21-22]]) and reconciliation before worship ([[Matthew 5:23-24]]). This places εὐνοέω squarely within the radical ethic of the Kingdom, which demands a transformation of the heart that prioritizes reconciliation and peace over personal grievances or the pursuit of legal retribution. It is a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to conflict.
2. **Internal Disposition**: The etymology of "well-minded" highlights that this is not merely an external act but springs from an internal disposition. It calls for a heart that is disposed to goodwill, seeking resolution and agreement even with those who might be considered adversaries. This aligns with Jesus' consistent emphasis on the internal state of the heart as the source of true righteousness.
3. **Preventative Righteousness**: The phrase "lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge" reveals a practical wisdom, but the underlying theological message is deeper. It's a call to prevent the escalation of sin and injustice. By seeking agreement, one avoids the path that leads to judgment and potentially, spiritual imprisonment, reflecting a desire for righteousness that avoids the very occasions of sin.
4. **Reflecting Divine Nature**: While not directly about God's reconciliation of humanity, the principle of proactive goodwill and reconciliation embodied in εὐνοέω reflects a divine attribute. God, in Christ, took the initiative to reconcile a hostile world to Himself (e.g., [[Romans 5:8]], [[2 Corinthians 5:19]]). Believers are called to imitate this divine disposition in their human relationships.
### Summary
The Greek word εὐνοέω (eunoéō, `{{G2132}}`), meaning "to be well-minded" or "to have a good disposition," is a compound of εὖ ("well") and νοῦς ("mind"). Its core meaning extends to "to agree" or "to reconcile," stemming from an internal attitude of goodwill. Though appearing only once in the New Testament, in [[Matthew 5:25]], its placement in the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus renders it profoundly significant. Here, it is a command to proactively "agree" or reconcile with an adversary, emphasizing an urgent, internal disposition towards peace and resolution to prevent escalation and judgment. This singular usage underscores a vital aspect of Kingdom ethics: the call for believers to cultivate a "well-minded" heart that actively seeks reconciliation, reflecting God's own initiative in reconciling humanity to Himself. It highlights the importance of internal disposition in fostering external peace and righteousness.
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