ὑπακοή (hupakoē)

hupakoē

obedience

G5218 · Greek · New Testament · 13 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 13 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The noun hupakoē denotes obedience as a concrete act of compliance and submission. It is not merely an internal attitude but the outward expression of listening to authority, often appearing in contrast to disobedience or rebellion. In the New Testament, this term describes the response expected from believers, whether directed toward human leaders or divine commandments.

Its usage carries significant theological weight, particularly in Paul’s letters where it defines the Christian life. Romans 6:16 frames it as the opposite of sin, while 2 Corinthians 10:5 links it to the captivity of every thought to Christ’s authority. Hebrews 5:8 applies it uniquely to Jesus, highlighting His perfect submission even through suffering.

Translators typically render hupakoē as "obedience," capturing its sense of structured deference. The word appears frequently in contexts discussing faith and sanctification, such as 1 Peter 1:22, where it marks the purity of heart that flows from truth. It remains a key term for understanding the relational dynamics between God and His people.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Greek word hupakoē describes obedience as a concrete act of listening and responding to authority. It is not just an internal feeling but a visible choice to align your actions with a trusted leader or command. In the New Testament, this term defines the Christian life as a response to God’s grace, showing that faith naturally leads to action.

When you choose obedience, you are choosing righteousness over sin. Romans 6:16 reminds us that we become servants of whatever we obey, whether it is sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness. This word invites you to present yourself daily as a servant of God, trusting that His commands are for your good and His glory.

Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering, showing that this path involves real challenges but leads to perfect submission to the Father’s will. Hebrews 5:8 highlights this unique aspect of Christ’s life. For you, this means that obedience is a journey of growth, where every act of listening to God strengthens your spirit and deepens your relationship with Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.

obedience7×
obedience,3×
of obedience2×
obedience.1×
[the] obedience1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

ὑπακοὴν4×
ὑπακοῆς3×
ὑπακοήν,3×
ὑπακοῇ2×
ὑπακοή.¶1×
ὑπακοὴ1×

Key Verses

Romans 6:16
Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

This verse explicitly contrasts the two masters a believer can serve, framing obedience as the decisive choice for righteousness.
Hebrews 5:8
though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

It uniquely applies hupakoē to Jesus, showing that even the Son learned submission through His earthly sufferings.
II Corinthians 10:5
throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Here the word describes the active process of aligning every thought with Christ’s authority against opposing arguments.
I Peter 1:22
Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,

Peter links obedience to truth with the purification of the soul and the practice of sincere love for others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does hupakoē mean in the New Testament?

Hupakoē is a Greek noun meaning obedience, specifically referring to the act of listening to and complying with authority. It appears thirteen times in the New Testament and often contrasts with disobedience or rebellion. The term emphasizes that faith results in concrete actions rather than just internal beliefs.

How is hupakoē different from general compliance?

While compliance can be passive, hupakoē implies a responsive listening to a specific authority figure. In biblical contexts, it often describes the believer’s response to God’s commands or Christ’s lordship. It is an active choice to submit one’s will to another for the sake of righteousness.

Where does this word appear most significantly?

It appears frequently in Paul’s letters, such as Romans and 2 Corinthians, where it defines the Christian life. Key passages include Romans 5:19, which contrasts Adam’s disobedience with Christ’s obedience, and Hebrews 5:8, which notes Jesus’ learned obedience through suffering.

Every Occurrence (13 verses across 5 books)

Romans 5 verses

Romans 1:5

through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;

Romans 5:19

For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will…

Romans 6:16

Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you…

Romans 15:18

For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the…

Romans 16:19

For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which…

II Corinthians 3 verses

Philemon 1 verse

Hebrews 1 verse

I Peter 3 verses