ἀνθρωπάρεσκος (anthrōpareskos)
anthrōpareskos
people-pleaser
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective anthrōpareskos describes someone whose primary aim is to please people. Formed from words meaning "man" and "to please," it characterizes a person who seeks human approval above all else. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both in letters addressing household codes: Ephesians 6:5 and Colossians 3:22.
Paul uses this word to contrast two different masters. Slaves are instructed not to serve with anthrōpareskos spirit, meaning they should not work merely to win the praise of their earthly owners. Instead, the focus shifts to serving Christ with sincerity and fear. The term implies a divided loyalty, where the desire for human favor competes with obedience to God.
Translators typically render this as "people-pleasing" or "to please men." This captures the essence of the word: a service motivated by external validation rather than internal conviction. The text warns against making human opinion the final standard of right action, urging believers to keep their eyes fixed on God instead.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anthrōpareskos describes a life oriented toward human approval. It appears in Paul’s letters to slaves, urging them not to serve only when watched, like those who please people. This reveals a deep tension: we often work hard for praise or fear criticism more than we seek God’s will. The text invites us to shift our focus from external validation to internal sincerity.
Instead of living for the applause of others, believers are called to serve Christ with a whole heart. This means doing right even when no one is watching. It is a call to integrity, where obedience flows from love for God rather than fear of man. When we anchor our identity in Him, we find freedom from the exhausting need to impress everyone around us.
This freedom allows us to work with joy and peace. We are not defined by the opinions of others but by our relationship with Christ. Let this truth encourage you to serve with sincerity today, knowing that God sees your heart and values your faithfulness above all human praise.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- men-pleasers2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι2×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 6:6
not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
Paul contrasts serving with a people-pleasing spirit against doing God's will from the heart, highlighting that true service is motivated by internal conviction rather than external observation.
-
Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
The instruction to obey masters not as men pleasers but in singleness of heart fearing God establishes God's approval as the primary standard for conduct, surpassing human expectations.