εὐκοπώτερος (eukopōteros)
eukopōteros
easy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word eukopōteros is a comparative adjective meaning "easier." It combines eu, meaning good or well, with kopos, referring to labor or weariness. In the Gospels, this term appears in striking comparisons where Jesus contrasts human difficulty with divine possibility. For instance, he suggests that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24).
This comparative form highlights a relative ease rather than an absolute state. The sources note its use in rhetorical questions posed by Jesus, such as asking whether it is easier to say "your sins are forgiven" or to command a paralytic to walk (Luke 5:23). In these contexts, the word underscores the power behind spoken authority, suggesting that declaring forgiveness is spiritually simpler than healing the body, which requires visible proof.
The term appears seven times across Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Its presence in these narratives serves to challenge listeners' assumptions about difficulty and divine capability. By using a simple comparative of labor, the text emphasizes that what seems impossible to human effort may be straightforward for God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eukopōteros, meaning "easier," appears in Jesus’ most startling comparisons. He uses it not to minimize human struggle, but to highlight the vast gap between our limited power and God’s limitless authority. When Jesus asks which is easier—forgiving sins or healing a body—he points to the spiritual reality that only God can truly forgive. This challenges us to trust His word over visible proof.
In other passages, He compares the difficulty of a rich person entering God’s Kingdom to a camel passing through a needle’s eye. This image shocks listeners into realizing that salvation is never achieved by human effort or wealth. It is a gift from God, who makes the impossible possible. We do not need to earn our way in; we simply receive it.
This word invites us to rest in God’s power rather than our own strength. When life feels heavy with labor (kopos), remember that God’s ways are not bound by human limits. His grace is sufficient, and His authority is absolute. We can face our deepest struggles with confidence, knowing that what seems impossible for us is easy for Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- easier,2×
- Easier2×
- easier;1×
- easier for1×
- Easier for1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐκοπώτερόν2×
- εὐκοπώτερον,2×
- εὐκοπώτερον2×
- εὐκοπώτερον·1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 9:5
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
Jesus uses this comparative to challenge the scribes’ understanding of His divine authority to forgive sins.
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Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
The hyperbolic comparison emphasizes that human wealth is a barrier only God can remove.
-
Luke 5:23
Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
Here the term contrasts the invisible act of forgiveness with the visible proof of healing to validate Jesus’ identity.