Lexical Summary euaresteó: To please, to be pleasing, to be acceptable Original Word: εὐαρεστέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gratify, please. From euarestos; to gratify entirely -- please (well). see GREEK euarestos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2100 euarestéō – to please (gratify) by giving what is acceptable. We only please the Lord by living in faith ("His inworked persuasions/preferences"). Accordingly, 2100 (euarestéō) and faith (4102 /pístis) are directly connected in the NT. See 2101 (euarestos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom euarestos Definition to be well-pleasing NASB Translation please (1), pleased (1), pleasing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2100: εὐαρεστέωεὐαρεστέω, ἐυαρέστω: 1 aorist infinitive εὐαρεστῆσαι; perfect infinitive εὐηρεστηκέναι, and without augment εὐαρεστηκέναι Hebrews 11:5 L WH (cf. WHs Appendix, p. 162; Buttmann, 35 (30)); to be well-pleasing: τῷ Θεῷ (the Sept. for אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֵּך, Genesis 5:22, 24; Genesis 6:9), Hebrews 11:5f. (Sir. 44:16; Philo de Abr. § 6; de exsecr. § 9; τίνι, Diodorus 14, 4). Passive present ἐυαρεστοῦμαι; τίνι (Buttmann, 188 (163); Winers Grammar, § 39, 1 a.), to be well pleased with a thing: Hebrews 13:16 (Diodorus 3, 55; 20, 79; (Diogenes Laërtius 10, 137). Topical Lexicon The Concept of Pleasing GodStrong’s Greek 2100 focuses on the relational reality of living so that God Himself finds delight and approval in a person’s life. Scripture presents this not as a peripheral idea but as a defining mark of genuine covenant loyalty. To “please God” is portrayed as the believer’s highest ambition (2 Corinthians 5:9) and ultimate assessment criterion at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:18). Occurrences in Hebrews Hebrews concentrates all three New Testament appearances of the verb: • Hebrews 11:5 attaches the description to Enoch: “For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God”. The writer locates the measure of Enoch’s life not in recorded achievements but in divine commendation. • Hebrews 11:6 sets forth an unqualified axiom: “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” Pleasing God, therefore, is never detached from trustful reliance on His character and promises. • Hebrews 13:16 brings the concept into everyday ministry: “And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Acts of generosity become spiritual offerings mirroring Old Testament sacrifices. Faith as the Essential Prerequisite Hebrews 11:6 positions faith as the sole avenue by which any human conduct can attain divine approval. Two convictions are singled out: belief in God’s existence and conviction that He rewards seekers. Without both, even outwardly moral or religious acts fail to please Him. Pleasing God and Worship Hebrews 13:16 consciously echoes the sacrificial language of Leviticus. Animal sacrifices have reached their culmination in Christ (Hebrews 10:12–14); yet the worshiper’s life remains sacrificial in quality. Tangible deeds of mercy and material sharing are identified as sacrifices God presently receives with pleasure. Worship is thus reframed from ritual precision to relational obedience and love. Continuity with Old Testament Testimony The Septuagint frequently links “pleasing the Lord” with faithful conduct (for example, 1 Samuel 15:22; Micah 6:6–8). Hebrews leverages this heritage to argue that the ancient pattern—faith expressing itself in obedient devotion—remains intact. By citing Enoch, the writer goes behind the Mosaic covenant to a patriarch who predates it, demonstrating that divine approval transcends dispensational boundaries. Christological Dimension Jesus Christ embodies the Father’s pleasure perfectly: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Believers are united to Christ, and their capacity to please God derives from that union. Hebrews implicitly grounds every exhortation in the finished priestly work of the Son (Hebrews 10:19–22); pleasing God is thus covenantally secured, not self-generated. Pastoral Implications 1. Motivation: Followers of Christ labor not for human applause but for God’s smile (Colossians 3:23–24). Historical Witness Early Christian literature echoes this biblical trajectory. The Didache commends the congregation to give “as the gospel commands you, so that your sacrifice may be pure,” reflecting Hebrews 13:16. Second-century apologists highlighted the moral transformation of believers—care for widows, orphans, and prisoners—as evidence of a life pleasing to God. Summary Strong’s Greek 2100 encapsulates a profound, unbroken scriptural theme: God’s favor rests on those who trust Him and embody that trust through tangible obedience and sacrificial love. Whether in the antediluvian world with Enoch or in the gathered church sharing possessions, pleasing God remains the divine metric for authentic faith and fruitful ministry. Forms and Transliterations ευαρέστει ευαρεστειται ευαρεστείται εὐαρεστεῖται ευαρεστηκεναι εὐαρεστηκέναι ευαρεστησαι ευαρεστήσαι εὐαρεστῆσαι ευαρεστήσω ευηρεστηκέναι ευηρέστησα ευηρέστησαν ευηρέστησε ευηρέστησεν ευηρέστουν euaresteitai euaresteîtai euarestekenai euarestekénai euarestēkenai euarestēkénai euarestesai euarestêsai euarestēsai euarestē̂saiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 11:5 V-PNAGRK: μεταθέσεως μεμαρτύρηται εὐαρεστηκέναι τῷ θεῷ NAS: his being taken up he was pleasing to God. KJV: he had this testimony, that he pleased God. INT: taking up he was commended to have well pleased God Hebrews 11:6 V-ANA Hebrews 13:16 V-PIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 2100 |
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