ἐπιτιμία (epitimia)
epitimia
punishment
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun epitimia refers to a formal punishment or penalty imposed for an offense. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in 2 Corinthians 2:6, where Paul discusses the disciplinary action taken by the church against a wrongdoer.
Its meaning is rooted in the verb epitimao, which carries the sense of commanding silence or rebuking. While this verb often describes Jesus silencing demons or calming storms, as a noun epitimia shifts to the legal or communal consequence of that authority. It represents the specific sanction applied to restore order and justice within the community.
Paul uses this term to highlight that the punishment inflicted by the majority was sufficient. The focus is not on the severity of the penalty itself, but on its adequacy as a corrective measure. This single usage underscores how early Christian communities handled internal discipline with seriousness, viewing restitution and correction as essential parts of communal life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epitimia points to a formal penalty imposed within a community. In 2 Corinthians 2:6, Paul uses it to describe the disciplinary action taken by the church against a wrongdoer. This term highlights that early Christian communities took internal discipline seriously, viewing correction as essential for maintaining order and justice.
Paul notes that the punishment inflicted by the majority was sufficient. The focus is not on the severity of the penalty itself, but on its adequacy as a corrective measure. This reminds us that church discipline aims at restoration rather than mere retribution. It reflects a commitment to healing the broken relationship and restoring the individual to fellowship.
When we encounter conflict or sin in our lives, this word invites us to consider the purpose of correction. It is not about harsh judgment but about guiding someone back to right standing. We can find comfort in knowing that God’s discipline, like the church’s, seeks our good and our restoration. May we approach correction with grace and truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- punishment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιτιμία1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 2:6
This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one;
Paul uses this term to affirm that the collective disciplinary action of the church was adequate for the offender's restoration.