ἀρεστός (arestos)
arestos
pleasing
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective arestōs describes something that is pleasing or agreeable to a specific person. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, typically describing actions or attitudes that bring satisfaction to God or human authorities. The word derives from a root meaning "to please," focusing on the positive reception of an act by its recipient.
Its usage highlights relational dynamics. For instance, Acts 12:3 notes that Herod acted in a way he thought would be pleasing (arestos) to the Jewish leaders. Similarly, John 8:29 records Jesus saying He always does what is pleasing to the Father. In 1 John 3:22, believers receive requests from God because they do things that are pleasing in His sight. Acts 6:2 also uses it to describe a course of action deemed acceptable.
Unlike words that emphasize moral lawfulness alone, arestōs stresses the relational outcome of being agreeable. It suggests that the value of an action is measured by its ability to bring satisfaction to the one observing it. This term underscores the importance of aligning human behavior with divine or social expectations to achieve harmony.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arestos points to a simple but profound reality: our actions can bring satisfaction to God. It is not about earning love through rigid performance, but about living in a way that aligns with His heart. When we seek to please Him, we are engaging in a relational dance rather than a legalistic checklist. This perspective shifts the focus from fear of failure to the joy of connection.
Jesus Himself modeled this perfectly. In John 8:29, He declares that He always does what is pleasing to the Father. This was not a burden, but the natural expression of His unity with God. For us, doing what is pleasing in His sight means keeping His commandments out of love, not obligation. It creates a path where our prayers flow freely because our lives are harmonized with His will.
Consider how this applies to your daily choices. Whether in quiet prayer or public service, ask yourself: does this bring peace and alignment with God? Acts 6:2 shows the early church choosing actions that were acceptable to their mission, prioritizing spiritual nourishment over administrative tasks. By focusing on what pleases God, we find a deeper sense of purpose and peace in our walk with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pleasing3×
- desirable1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀρεστόν2×
- ἀρεστὰ2×
Key Verses
-
John 8:29
He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
This verse establishes Jesus as the ultimate example of doing what is pleasing to the Father, grounding the concept in His perfect obedience and relationship.
-
I John 3:22
so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
Here the word links our confidence in prayer directly to our actions that are pleasing in God's sight, showing how obedience opens the way for answered requests.
-
Acts 12:3
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.
This occurrence provides a contrasting view, showing Herod seeking human approval from the Jewish leaders, highlighting that 'pleasing' can be directed toward people rather than God.