ἐμπαιγμονή (empaigmonē)
empaigmonē
derision
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun empaigmonē refers to mocking or derision, specifically the kind that ridicules religious beliefs or divine promises. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 3:3, where it describes the attitude of scoffers who will appear in the last days. These individuals do not merely disagree; they actively mock the hope of Christ’s return.
The word derives from empaizō, meaning to play at or mock someone. In this context, it captures a cynical dismissal of spiritual truths. The passage highlights how such mockery arises from those who follow their own evil desires, treating sacred promises as objects of ridicule rather than serious conviction.
Translators typically render empaigmonē as "mocking" or "scoffing," reflecting its sharp, contemptuous tone. This single usage warns believers about the persistence of doubt and derision throughout history, showing that skepticism toward divine promises is not a new phenomenon but a recurring challenge to faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you encounter ridicule toward your faith, remember that you are not alone in feeling its sting. The word empaigmonē describes a specific kind of derision—one that treats divine promises as jokes rather than serious realities. In 2 Peter 3:3, the apostle warns that such mockers will appear in the last days, driven by their own desires to dismiss spiritual truths.
This historical insight offers comfort. It shows that skepticism is not a new invention but a recurring challenge believers have faced for centuries. When others scoff at what you hold dear, it often reveals more about their own inner state than it does about the validity of your hope. You can stand firm in the knowledge that God’s promises remain steadfast, regardless of how loudly they are mocked by those who walk away from them.
Let this understanding steady your heart. Instead of engaging in bitter arguments or feeling discouraged by contempt, focus on the reliability of God’s word. The same God who spoke creation into existence will fulfill His promises, even when the world laughs. Your faith is anchored in truth, not in public approval.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- scoffing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐμπαιγμονῇ1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 3:3
knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts
This verse identifies empaigmonē as the defining attitude of end-time scoffers who follow their own lusts, grounding the concept in a specific eschatological warning.