ὑπήκοος (hupēkoos)
hupēkoos
obedient
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hupēkoos describes a posture of attentive obedience, literally meaning "listening under" or "giving ear." It conveys more than passive compliance; it implies a responsive heart that hears a command and acts accordingly. In the New Testament, this word appears in only three verses, yet its theological weight is significant, particularly in how it frames Jesus’ submission to the Father.
A key example is Philippians 2:8, where Christ is described as becoming obedient even to death. Here, the term highlights a voluntary humility rather than forced subjugation. In Acts 7:39, however, the same word describes Israel’s refusal to listen to Moses, showing that hupēkoos can also denote a failure to heed authority when one has the capacity to do so. The contrast between these uses underscores that true obedience involves active engagement with what is heard.
The word’s root structure—under (hupo) plus listening (akouō)—suggests that obedience begins with attention. It is not merely about doing what is told, but about positioning oneself to hear the source of the command clearly. This linguistic detail reminds readers that faithful response requires both humility and attentiveness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word hupēkoos paints a picture of attentive listening that leads to action. It combines the idea of being under someone with the act of hearing, suggesting that true obedience starts with paying close attention. It is not just about following rules, but about positioning your heart to hear and respond to the one giving the command.
Philippians 2:8 shows us the highest example of this in Jesus Christ. He did not resist His Father’s will but humbled Himself completely, even to death on a cross. This reminds us that obedience is often an act of love and trust, not just duty. When we listen carefully to God’s voice, we join in that same posture of humble submission.
Acts 7:39 offers a sobering contrast, where Israel refused to be obedient despite having clear guidance. This warns us against hardening our hearts when we hear truth. Instead of turning away, we are invited to stay open and responsive. May we cultivate a spirit that listens well and follows faithfully.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- obedient3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπήκοοί1×
- ὑπήκοος1×
- ὑπήκοοι1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 2:8
And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
This verse highlights Jesus’ voluntary humility as He submits fully to the Father’s will, even unto death.
-
Acts 7:39
to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,
Here the word describes Israel’s refusal to heed Moses, showing that obedience requires a willing heart rather than mere opportunity.
-
II Corinthians 2:9
For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
Paul uses this term to test whether the Corinthian believers are truly responsive to his apostolic instruction in all matters.