ἀπόλαυσις (apolausis)
apolausis
enjoyment
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apolausis refers to the concrete experience of enjoying something fully. Derived from a verb meaning "to take one's fill" or "to partake," it describes the act of deriving pleasure or satisfaction from an object or situation. It is not merely a fleeting feeling, but the substantive reality of having one’s desires met through direct engagement.
In Scripture, this word appears only twice, carrying significant weight in each instance. In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul instructs the wealthy not to place their hope in uncertain riches but to trust in God, who richly provides all things for our enjoyment. Here, it validates the goodness of material blessings when received with gratitude. Conversely, Hebrews 11:25 describes Moses choosing rather to suffer ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. The contrast highlights a moral choice between temporary sensory gratification and lasting spiritual reward.
Translators often render this term as "enjoyment" or "pleasure," capturing its sense of active participation in good things. The lexical data suggests a neutral concept that becomes ethically charged by context; it is neither inherently sinful nor virtuous, but rather describes the human capacity to find satisfaction in what surrounds us.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apolausis describes the full, active experience of enjoying something good. It is not a vague wish or a fleeting moment of happiness, but the solid reality of having your desires met through direct engagement with what God has provided. When we encounter this term in Scripture, it reminds us that pleasure itself is part of God’s design.
In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul encourages those with wealth to trust in God rather than uncertain riches, noting that God provides everything for our enjoyment. This validates the goodness of material blessings when received with gratitude. It invites you to see your daily provisions not as burdens, but as gifts meant to be savored and shared.
Hebrews 11:25 offers a different perspective by contrasting this enjoyment with the fleeting pleasures of sin. Moses chose suffering with God’s people over temporary gratification, highlighting that true satisfaction is found in lasting spiritual rewards. This does not mean we must reject all pleasure, but rather that we choose what truly fulfills us. May you find your deepest joy in the One who gives every good gift.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- enjoyment;1×
- enjoyment,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπόλαυσιν·1×
- ἀπόλαυσιν,1×
Key Verses
-
I Timothy 6:17
Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
This verse grounds the concept of enjoyment in God’s provision, showing that material blessings are intended for our satisfaction when received with trust rather than arrogance.
-
Hebrews 11:25
choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time,
Here the word contrasts temporary sensory gratification with lasting spiritual reward, illustrating Moses’ choice to prioritize eternal fulfillment over fleeting sin.