εὐγενής (eugenēs)
eugenēs
of noble birth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective eugenēs describes someone who is well-born or of noble lineage. It combines a word for "good" with one meaning "race" or "family," pointing directly to social status and ancestry. In the New Testament, this term appears only three times, highlighting its specific use in discussing human hierarchies rather than spiritual merit.
Its application varies by context. In Luke 19:12, it refers literally to a man of noble birth who travels to receive a kingdom. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 1:26 to remind believers that few were considered "noble" by worldly standards when called. Meanwhile, Acts 17:11 describes the Bereans as more eugenēs than those in Thessalonica, shifting the meaning from bloodline to noble-mindedness or intellectual openness.
This shift reveals a key theological point: while the word originally signaled elite social standing, Scripture often subverts it. The Bereans are praised not for their pedigree but for their eager reception of truth. This usage underscores that true nobility in the biblical sense is found in character and responsiveness to God, rather than inherited rank.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eugenēs originally described someone born into high social standing or royal lineage. In the ancient world, your family name determined your worth, opportunities, and place in society. It was a status that could not be earned, only inherited. This concept of noble birth shaped how people viewed leadership and authority for centuries.
Scripture gently turns this idea on its head. While Jesus tells a parable about a literal nobleman seeking a kingdom, Paul reminds the Corinthian church that few of their callers were considered noble by worldly standards. God does not look for pedigree. He looks for hearts that are open and ready to learn.
The Bereans in Acts show us what true nobility looks like. They were praised not for their ancestry but for their willingness to check the Scriptures daily. Your value before God is never tied to your background or status. It is found in your humble readiness to receive truth and grow in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of noble birth,1×
- of noble birth1×
- more noble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐγενὴς1×
- εὐγενέστεροι1×
- εὐγενεῖς,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
This verse redefines nobility from bloodline to intellectual honesty, praising the Bereans for examining Scripture rather than their social rank.
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I Corinthians 1:26
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
Paul uses this term here to highlight that God’s call often bypasses those with high worldly status, emphasizing grace over heritage.
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Luke 19:12
He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
This occurrence refers literally to a man of noble birth who travels to receive a kingdom, serving as the setting for Jesus’ parable about stewardship.