Lexical Summary aidós: Modesty, reverence, shame, respect Original Word: αἰδώς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance reverence, shamefacedness. Perhaps from a (as a negative particle) and eido (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe -- reverence, shamefacedness. see GREEK a see GREEK eido NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aideomai (to be ashamed) Definition a sense of shame NASB Translation modestly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 127: αἰδώςαἰδώς ((όος) (οῦς, ἡ; from Homer down; a sense of shame, modesty: 1 Timothy 2:9; reverence, Hebrews 12:28 (λατρεύειν, Θεῷ μετά αἰδοῦς καί εὐλαβείας, but L T Tr WH εὐλαβείας καί δέους). (Synonyms: αἰδώς, αἰσχύνη: Ammonius distinguishes the words as follows: αἰδώς καί αἰσχύνη διαφέρει, ὅτι ἡ μέν αἰδώς ἐστιν ἐντροπή πρός ἕκαστον, ὡς σεβομένως τίς ἔχει. αἰσχύνη δ' ἐφ' οἷς ἕκαστος ἁμαρτών σιαχύνεται, ὡς μή δέον τί πράξας. καί ἀιδεῖται μέν τίς τόν πατέρα. αἰσχύνεται δέ ὅς μεθύσκεται, etc., etc.; accordingly, αἰδώς is prominently objective in its reference, having regard to others; while αἰσχύνη is subjective, making reference to oneself and one's actions. Cf. Schmidt, chapter 140. It is often said that αἰδώς precedes and prevents the shameful act, αἰσχύνη reflects upon its consequences in the shame it brings with it' (Cope, Aristotle, rhet. 5, 6, 1). αἰδώς is the nobler word, αἰσχύνη the stronger; while "αἰδώς would always restrain a good man from an unworthy act, αἰσχύνη would sometimes restrain a bad one." Trench, §§ 19, 20.) Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 127 designates αἰδώς, a noun expressing an attitude of respectful reserve before God and others. While the related vocabulary can point to either a holy awe or a wholesome sense of self-restraint, the New Testament usage centers on modesty in outward appearance that springs from inward reverence. Biblical Usage 1 Timothy 2:9 provides the single canonical occurrence: “Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes”. Here αἰδώς stands alongside σωφροσύνη (“self-control”) to describe the posture of women in public worship. Paul is not merely prescribing wardrobe but calling for behavior that reflects a heart oriented toward God’s holiness and the edification of the gathered church. Scriptural Threads of Modesty and Reverence Although αἰδώς itself appears only once, Scripture frequently intertwines the ideas of God-ward reverence and restrained self-presentation: • Proverbs 11:2 contrasts pride with humility, framing modesty as wisdom. These passages reveal modesty as an aspect of sanctification rather than a mere cultural concession. Old Testament Roots Hebrew terms for reverence (yir’ah) and shame (bōsheth) often overlap with the semantic field of αἰδώς. Genesis 3:7-10 shows an instinctive sense of shame after the Fall; Isaiah 6:5 portrays Isaiah’s reverent trembling before God’s holiness. Such scenes illustrate humanity’s rightful reserve in the presence of divine majesty, preparing the way for Paul’s call to modesty that honors God among His people. Greco-Roman Background In classical literature, αἰδώς describes the honorable restraint befitting free citizens. Hellenistic moralists viewed it as a social virtue guarding communal harmony. Paul’s adaptation situates the virtue within redeemed community: modesty is not an end in itself but an expression of new-creation life empowered by the Spirit. Theological Significance 1. God-centeredness: Modesty flows from recognizing God’s sovereignty over body and soul (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Pastoral and Discipleship Applications • Teaching on appearance should move beyond dress codes to heart posture, cultivating gratitude for the body as God’s temple. Historical Witness in the Church Early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian echoed Paul by warning against extravagant attire that distracted from holiness. The Reformers likewise tied moderation in dress to soli Deo gloria, promoting simplicity that magnifies God rather than self. Contemporary Relevance In consumer cultures that monetize self-display, αἰδώς invites believers to bear countercultural testimony. Modesty resists both legalistic uniformity and libertine excess, calling the church to glorify Christ through thoughtful, respectful engagement with fashion, technology, and public persona. Key Questions for Reflection 1. How does my choice of clothing and online presence reflect reverence for God and love for neighbor? Summary Though appearing only once, αἰδώς encapsulates a rich biblical ethic: a reverent modesty that honors God, respects others, and commends the gospel. Properly understood, it forms part of the Spirit’s transformative work, enabling believers to embody holiness in every sphere of life. Forms and Transliterations αιδους αιδούς αἰδοῦς αιθάλην αιθάλης aidous aidoûsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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