ἤπιος (ēpios)
ēpios
gentle
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective ēpios describes a quality of being gentle, mild, or affable in manner. In the New Testament, it appears only once, offering a specific portrait of how Timothy should conduct himself. The sources identify this single occurrence in 2 Timothy 2:24, where Paul instructs that a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone.
This term conveys a sense of placidity and approachability rather than passive weakness. It suggests a temperament that is easy to deal with and free from harshness. By applying this word to leadership, the text highlights that spiritual authority is best exercised through a gentle disposition that invites others in, contrasting sharply with aggressive or contentious behavior.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἤπιος (ēpios) paints a picture of strength held in check by kindness. It does not suggest weakness or passivity, but rather a deliberate choice to be approachable and free from harshness. In a culture that often equates authority with aggression, this gentle demeanor stands out as a distinct mark of spiritual maturity.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy reminds us that serving the Lord involves being easy to deal with. This quality invites others in, creating space for teaching and patience to take root. It is a quiet power that reflects the character of Christ, who never used force but always offered grace.
When we face conflict or difficult people, we can look to this example. Choosing gentleness does not mean ignoring truth; it means delivering it with a spirit that honors God and respects others. This approach builds bridges where walls might otherwise be built.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gentle1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἤπιον1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 2:24
The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,
This verse explicitly commands servants of the Lord to avoid quarreling and instead adopt a gentle attitude toward everyone, linking gentleness directly to effective teaching and patience.