ἐπερώτημα (eperōtēma)
eperōtēma
pledge
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun eperōtēma refers to a question or an earnest inquiry. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in 1 Peter 3:21, where it describes the baptism that saves believers. Here, the word shifts from a simple request to a serious pledge or appeal made to God for a clear conscience.
This usage highlights a shift from asking for information to making a commitment. The sources note its connection to the verb eperōtaō, meaning to ask or inquire. In this specific context, baptism is not merely a physical washing but an act of seeking God with integrity. It represents the believer’s sincere desire to be free from guilt and to belong to Christ.
Translators often render it as "pledge" or "appeal" to capture this weight. The word emphasizes that salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus, not by the ritual itself. It stands as a testament to the power of faith expressed through obedience and a clean heart before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eperōtēma appears just once in the New Testament, found in 1 Peter 3:21. While it literally means a question or inquiry, Peter uses it to describe baptism as a pledge or appeal to God. This shifts the focus from a physical ritual to an internal commitment. It is not about washing away dirt, but about offering a clear conscience to God.
For your faith life, this reminds us that true cleansing comes from within. It is a sincere desire to belong to Christ and live with integrity. The power of this pledge does not lie in the water itself, but in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we find the hope and peace that come from a heart aligned with God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] demand1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπερώτημα1×
Key Verses
-
I Peter 3:21
This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
This is the only New Testament occurrence where baptism is defined as an earnest appeal for a clear conscience rather than a physical cleansing.