εἶδος (eidos)
eidos
appearance
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun eidos refers to what is seen, covering both external appearance and specific kind or form. In the New Testament, it appears in only five verses, often describing visible manifestations. For instance, Luke 9:29 uses it for the radiant change in Jesus’ face during the Transfiguration, while John 5:37 notes that believers have never seen His form.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context. It can mean physical shape or outward show, as when Paul contrasts walking by sight with faith in 2 Corinthians 5:7. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, it denotes a type or sort of evil to avoid, showing its use for categories rather than just visual traits.
This word captures the tangible reality of what is observed. It grounds abstract concepts in visible experience, whether describing divine glory or practical distinctions in behavior. The term reminds readers that faith engages with the world as it appears, while looking beyond surface details to deeper truths.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word eidos reminds us that what we see is often just the surface layer of a deeper reality. In Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, Jesus’ outward appearance changed to reveal His divine glory, showing that visible things can point to something far greater than themselves. This shift from the physical to the spiritual encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances.
Paul uses this same concept when he contrasts walking by faith with seeing by sight. He suggests that our daily lives are not defined by what is immediately visible or understandable, but by trust in God’s promises. Similarly, the call to avoid every form of evil invites discernment, urging believers to recognize and reject patterns of behavior that do not align with God’s character.
This word grounds abstract faith in tangible experience. It acknowledges the reality of the world we live in while inviting us to seek the unseen truths that sustain us. Whether observing a radiant face or navigating daily choices, eidos calls us to engage with what is visible while keeping our hope fixed on what is eternal.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- form3×
- sight,1×
- appearance1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἶδος2×
- εἴδους,1×
- εἴδους1×
- εἴδει1×
Key Verses
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Luke 9:29
As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.
This verse uses the word to describe the visible transformation of Jesus’ face, linking physical appearance directly to divine glory.
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II Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Here the term contrasts with faith, highlighting that Christian life is guided by trust rather than immediate visual evidence.
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I Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
The word expands beyond physical sight to mean a specific type or category of evil that believers should actively avoid.