εὐαρέστως (euarestōs)
euarestōs
acceptably
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb euarestōs means to do something in a manner that is pleasing or acceptable. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 12:28, where believers are urged to serve God acceptably. The word combines a prefix meaning "well" with a root related to pleasure or satisfaction, pointing directly to the quality of the action rather than just the intent.
Its single occurrence carries significant weight by linking worship with reverence and awe. The context suggests that acceptable service is not casual but is marked by a deep respect for God’s holiness. Translators typically render it as "acceptably," though this can sometimes sound dry; the Greek implies an action that genuinely meets the standard of divine approval.
This rare usage highlights a key theological point: true worship requires both joy and solemnity. The author of Hebrews connects this acceptable service with the unshakable kingdom, implying that our offerings are only pleasing when grounded in a right relationship with God. It serves as a reminder that how we serve matters as much as what we do.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word euarestōs appears just once in the New Testament, tucked into Hebrews 12:28. It describes serving God in a way that is truly pleasing to Him. This is not about performing rituals perfectly or following every rule without error. Instead, it points to a heart posture marked by reverence and awe. When we approach God with this attitude, our service becomes acceptable because it honors His holiness.
Living with this awareness changes how we view our daily acts of worship. It invites us to bring our best efforts, not out of fear, but out of deep respect for the unshakable Kingdom we have received. This perspective helps us serve with grace and sincerity, knowing that God values the spirit behind our actions as much as the actions themselves.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- well pleasingly1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐαρέστως1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
This is the only occurrence of the word in the New Testament, linking acceptable service directly to reverence and awe within the context of receiving an unshakable Kingdom.