ἐπιμελῶς (epimelōs)
epimelōs
carefully
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb epimelōs describes an action performed with diligence or careful attention. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 15:8, where the woman searches her house for a lost coin. The term conveys a sense of thoroughness, suggesting she did not merely glance around but searched with focused intent.
Its root connects to the verb epimeleomai, meaning to take care of or be concerned with. This linguistic link emphasizes that the search was driven by genuine value and personal investment in finding what was lost. The word highlights the intensity of her effort rather than just the physical act of looking.
Translators typically render this term as "carefully" or "diligently." By choosing this specific adverb, the text underscores the woman’s determination. It serves as a vivid detail in the parable, illustrating that recovering what is lost requires persistent and attentive effort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epimelōs paints a picture of thoroughness and focused intent. In Luke 15:8, the woman does not just glance around her home; she searches carefully for every corner where the coin might hide. This level of attention shows that she values what is lost enough to put in real effort.
When things in your life feel scattered or difficult to find, this example offers comfort. It reminds us that God’s care mirrors this diligence. He does not give up on you because you are hidden away or struggling. His love is active and persistent, seeking you out with the same careful attention.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- carefully1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιμελῶς1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 15:8
“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
The adverb describes the woman's thorough search, emphasizing that she left no stone unturned to recover her lost coin.