ἀσχημονέω (aschēmoneō)
aschēmoneō
to act improperly
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb aschēmoneō describes behavior that is unseemly, improper, or dishonorable. It conveys a sense of acting in a way that lacks decency or fails to meet social and moral standards of propriety. The word appears only twice in the New Testament, both within Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.
In 1 Corinthians 13:5, Paul lists it as a characteristic of love, stating that love does not act improperly. This usage highlights that genuine love respects boundaries and maintains dignity in relationships. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 7:36, the term is used to discuss whether a man should behave unbecomingly toward his betrothed, suggesting a failure to uphold appropriate conduct. The root implies a lack of proper form or grace in action.
Translators typically render this word as "behave rudely" or "act improperly," capturing the idea of social and ethical misstep rather than just internal thought. It serves as a negative marker for how love should not manifest, emphasizing that true affection is marked by respect and self-control.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aschēmoneō points to actions that lack decency or grace. In a culture often focused on personal rights, this term reminds us that love respects boundaries. It is not merely about avoiding major sins, but about maintaining dignity in how we treat others.
When Paul writes that love does not act improperly, he invites us to examine our daily interactions. This means checking our impulses and choosing conduct that honors the other person. It is a call to self-control and mutual respect in every relationship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to be behaving improperly1×
- acts unbecomingly,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀσχημονεῖν1×
- ἀσχημονεῖ,1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 13:5
doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
This verse defines love by what it avoids, showing that genuine affection requires restraint and respect for others' dignity.
-
I Corinthians 7:36
But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
Here the word addresses specific relational conduct, highlighting the need for propriety even in intimate or betrothal contexts.