Ἐπικούρειος (Epikoureios)
Epikoureios
Epicurean
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun epikoureios identifies a follower of Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher whose school dominated intellectual life in cities like Athens and Corinth. In Acts 17:18, this term appears when Paul is confronted by members of two distinct philosophical groups in Athens. The text explicitly names them as "Epicurean and Stoic philosophers," marking one of the few direct references to this specific sect in the New Testament.
The word derives from the name of its founder, Epicurus, rather than describing a general attitude. While later popular usage often associated the label with hedonism or sensual pleasure, the historical school actually taught that the highest good was tranquility and freedom from fear. The sources confirm this is a proper noun referring to adherents of a specific philosophical system, distinguishing them clearly from their rivals, the Stoics.
This single occurrence highlights the early church’s engagement with diverse worldviews. By naming these philosophers alongside Paul, the narrative shows how Christian teaching was tested against established secular philosophies. The term serves as a historical marker for the intellectual climate of the first century, where competing ideas about virtue and happiness vied for attention in public spaces.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epikoureios simply identifies a follower of Epicurus, an ancient Greek thinker whose school was well-known in cities like Athens. In Acts 17:18, Paul encounters these philosophers alongside the Stoics. They do not recognize his message at first, calling him a babbler and questioning what he means by preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
This encounter reminds us that faith often meets established worldviews head-on. The Epicureans sought peace through the absence of pain, while Paul spoke of hope through Christ. We may face similar questions in our daily lives, where our beliefs are met with curiosity or confusion. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by differing opinions, we can find comfort in knowing that honest dialogue is part of sharing the gospel.
It is encouraging to see that early Christians engaged respectfully with those who thought differently. This history shows that faith does not require isolation from culture but invites us to stand firm in our convictions while listening carefully to others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Epicureans1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἐπικουρείων1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:18
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
This verse identifies the specific group of Epicurean philosophers who questioned Paul's message about Jesus and the resurrection, highlighting the clash between philosophical tranquility and Christian hope.