G2261 ἤπιος (ḗpios)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study

Adjective

Quick Definition

ἤπιος, α, ον Adj placid, gentle

Strong's Definition

properly, affable, i.e. mild or kind

Derivation: probably from G2031 (ἔπος);

KJV Usage: gentle

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

ἤπιος (G2261)

adjc. | -α, -ον

88.61 · Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior · Gentleness, Mildness

gentle, kind pertaining to being gentle, with the implication of kindness

2TI 2:24

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

ἤπιος, -a, -ov, rarely of two terminations, (apparently derived fr. ἔπος, εἰπεῖν, so that it prop. means affable [so Etym. Magn. 434, 20; but ef. Vaniéek p. 32]); fr. Hom. down; mild, gentle: 1 Th. ii. 7 (where L WH νήπιος, q. v. fin.) ; πρός τινα, 2 Tim. ii. 24." “Hp, Lchm. “Hp [on the breathing in codd. see ΤᾺ Proleg. p. 107], (1) watchful, fr. 1337 to be awake), Er, one of the ancestors of Christ : Lk. iii. 28.

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

ἤπιος ēpios 2x

mild, gentle, kind, 2 Tim. 2:24; 1 Thess. 2:7*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

* ἤπιος, -α, -ον, mild, gentle: I Th 2:7 (WH, R, mg., νήπιος); seq. πρός, II Ti 2:24.†

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

ἤπιος. In Archiv v. p. 166 No. 17 Rubensohn publishes a sepulchral inscr. (late Rom.) stating that potp’ ὀλοὴ θανάτοιο had brought Sarapion down els ᾿Αἴδαο, and describing him as— μειλείχιον πάντ[εσσἼ]ι Kal ἤπιον ἀνθρώποισι. This illustrates well the idea of outward mildness or mildness towards others which Tittmann finds in the adj. (Syov. i. p. 140, ““qui hance lenitatem in aliis ferendis monstrat’’), and which appears in botin its NT occurrences (1 Th 27 Xe ACP De, 2 Tim 24). The adj. is found ¢ev in the semi-literary invocation to Isis, P Oxy XI. 13801, 88155 (early ii/a.D.).

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

ἤπιος (ēpios) — gentle. ἤπῐος, α, ον, also ος, ον [Refs 8th c.BC+]

1. of persons, gentle, kind, πατὴρ ὣς ἤπιος αἰεί [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of a monarch, ἀγανὸς καὶ ἤ[Refs 8th c.BC+]; of the gods, σωτῆρας.. ἠπίους θ᾽ ἡμῖν μολεῖν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; οὐδέ πω ἤπιος appeased, [NT]

2. of feelings, words, etc., εἴ μοι κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων ἤπια εἰδείη had kindly feeling towards me, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; μῦθος ἤ. [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ὀργαί, φρένες, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

3. of heat and cold, mild, less intense, τὸ πνῖγος -ώτερον γέγονεν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἠπιώτεραι αἱ θέρμαι, of a fever, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τὰ τοῦ πυρετοῦ ἤπια[Refs 4th c.BC+]; of river-currents, -ώτερα ῥεύματα [Refs 4th c.BC+]

II. active, soothing, assuaging, φάρμακα [Refs 8th c.BC+]; opposed to ἰσχυρά, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀκέσματα [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ποτήματα soft drinks, opposed to φαρμακώδη καὶ δριμέα, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]: superlative, [Refs 1st c.BC+]

II.2. ἤπιον ἦμαρ with infinitive, a day favourable for beginning a thing, [Refs 8th c.BC+]

III. adverb -ίως[Refs 5th c.BC+]; χρήσετ᾽ αὐτή σοι τότ᾽ ἠ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]: comparative -ωτέρως, ἔχειν πρός τινα [Refs 4th c.BC+]: superlative -ωτάτως[Refs 5th c.AD+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

ἤπιος, -α, -ον mild, gentle: 1Th.2:7 (WH, R, mg., νήπιος); before πρός, 2Ti.2:24.† (AS)

Bible Occurrences (1)

2:24

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Kind (Gentle) (2261) epios

Kind (2261) (epios) is one who is placid (serenely free of interruption or disturbance), gentle, mild, easy, compliant (like a nursing mother see below in 1Thes 2:7). In fact epios was frequently used by Greek writers as characterizing a nurse with trying children or a teacher with refractory scholars, or of parents toward their children. We find epios in a secular Greek writing which describes "a day favorable (epios) for beginning a thing". Epios was used to describe medicines as soothing or assuaging. Kindness presupposes a peaceable attitude. Such a mindset speaks and acts in goodness. This does not mean spineless acquiescence to popular opinion or to those who may oppose us. Kindness must remain firmly rooted in truth. Epios implies implies gentleness in demeanor, as prautes, meekness of disposition. The only other use of epios is by Paul describing his own behavior writing to his beloved church at Thessalonica reminding them that... we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. (see note 1Thessalonians 2:7) Steven Cole applies this "definition" of "kind" asking... Husbands, do you correct your wives with the tenderness of a nursing mother? Parents, do you correct your children with the same kindness you show to a nursing infant? (2 Timothy 2:23-26 The Gentle Art of Correction) The Lord's bondservant must be “kind” to "all" (pas = everyone, all without exception!). There is nothing worse then a servant of the Lord who loses their control. The bond-servant of the Lord must show by his or her gentleness to others that they are subject to the commanding power of the life transforming gospel which they are preaching and teaching. These qualities Paul is outlining for bondservants were those very traits that characterized Jesus in His incarnation Who said ï»¿Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle (praus) and humble in heartï»¿ (ï»¿Mt 11:29ï»¿). Ray Stedman comments that... No matter if it is a cultist he is debating, or someone who is very upset about an issue, somebody with an ax to grind, some difficult person who is obviously out to cause trouble and create dissension, the Lord's servant is to be kindly to everyone. (2 Timothy 2:23-26 Guidelines for Controversies) MacArthur adds that "As much as we are to speak boldly for the Lord without compromise, we are to do so with the attitude of meekness, gentleness, and humility. We are never to be harsh, abusive, overbearing, unkind, thoughtless, or pugnacious. There is to be a softness in the authority of a Christian leader..." (MacArthur, J. 2 Timothy. Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) ABLE TO TEACH: didaktikon: (1Ti 3:2,3; Titus 1:9) Amplified has "a skilled and suitable teacher"