εὐπρόσδεκτος (euprosdektos)
euprosdektos
acceptable
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective euprosdektos describes something that is well received or pleasing to those who accept it. Derived from roots meaning "well" and "to receive," it carries a sense of being welcome rather than merely tolerated. In the New Testament, this term appears in five verses, primarily within the letters of Paul and Peter, where it qualifies offerings and acts of worship.
Its usage highlights the quality of the recipient’s response. For instance, Paul describes his ministry as making the Gentiles an acceptable offering to God (Romans 15:16), suggesting that their faith is welcomed by the divine host. Similarly, he urges believers to offer gifts that are euprosdektos because they are given with willingness (2 Corinthians 8:12). The term also appears in Peter’s description of living stones being built into a spiritual house as a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
This word emphasizes the relational aspect of acceptance. It is not just about meeting a standard but about being welcomed with favor. The sources note its connection to the verb prosdechomai, which means to receive or welcome someone. Thus, euprosdektos points to actions or persons that are received with pleasure and approval, reflecting a positive relationship between the giver and the one who receives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word euprosdektos tells us that our offerings are not just tolerated by God, but truly welcomed. It combines the ideas of being well-received and pleasing to those who accept. When we give or serve, this word suggests that God looks at the heart behind the act. He is not merely checking a box; He is inviting a relationship where our lives become a gift He receives with favor.
This changes how we view our daily service. In 2 Corinthians 8:12, we learn that God accepts what we have, not what we lack. Your willingness matters more than the size of your gift. Whether you are offering your time, your resources, or your very self as Paul describes in Romans 15:16, God sanctifies these acts through the Spirit. You are invited to bring your genuine self to Him, knowing that He desires connection over perfection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- acceptable3×
- of favor,1×
- acceptable,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐπρόσδεκτος,2×
- εὐπρόσδεκτος2×
- εὐπροσδέκτους1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 8:12
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
This verse clarifies that God’s acceptance depends on the giver's willingness and capacity, not the monetary amount.
-
I Peter 2:5
You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Peter uses this term to describe how believers, as living stones, offer spiritual sacrifices that are truly pleasing to God through Christ.
-
Romans 15:16
that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul describes the Gentile believers themselves as an offering made acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.