Lexical Summary euthumeó: To be of good cheer, to be cheerful, to be encouraged Original Word: εὐθυμέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be of good cheerFrom euthumos; to cheer up, i.e. (intransitively) be cheerful; neuter comparative (adverbially) more cheerfully -- be of good cheer (merry). see GREEK euthumos HELPS Word-studies 2114 euthyméō (from 2095 /eú, "good" and 2372 /thymós, "passion") – properly, to show positive passion as it proceeds from a sound disposition (temper); hence, "be of good cheer, in good spirits" (high morale). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom euthumos Definition to be of good cheer NASB Translation cheerful (1), keep up...courage (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2114: εὐθυμέωεὐθυμέω, ἐυθύμω; (εὔθυμος); 1. transitive, to put in good spirits, gladden, make cheerful (Aeschylus in Plato, de rep. 2, 383 b.). Middle to be of good spirits, to be cheerful, (Xenophon, Plato). 2. intransitive, to be joyful, be of good cheer, of good courage: Acts 27:22, 25; James 5:13. (Euripides, Cycl. 530; Plutarch, de tranquill. anim. 2 and 9.) Strong’s Greek 2114 expresses an inner buoyancy that resists discouragement and issues in outward encouragement. It denotes a settled, reasoned confidence rather than a superficial optimism. In every New Testament occurrence the word is set against real adversity, highlighting a distinctly Christian glad-heartedness anchored in God’s character and promises. Occurrences in Scripture • Acts 27:22 Exegesis of Key Passages Acts 27:22, 25 – On a foundering vessel in the Adriatic, Paul declares, “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost, only the ship… So take courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me”. The verb appears twice: first as Paul’s plea, then as his pastoral command. Its force lies in transferring Paul’s personal assurance to the crew. Courage is not self-generated; it springs from trust in the God who has spoken. James 5:13 – “Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises”. James locates the term within congregational life. Whether the believer’s cheerfulness arises from answered prayer or endures in spite of pain, it must find expression in worship. Thus the word links inner disposition with corporate praise. Theological Themes 1. Joy amid Tribulation The contexts (a life-threatening storm; scattered saints under pressure) show that Christian cheerfulness is compatible with hardship. It is not the absence of storms but the presence of divine assurance that sustains it. 2. Faith Grounded Encouragement In Acts 27 the command to take courage rests on a direct revelation (“it will happen just as He told me”). Cheerfulness is a derivative virtue—it flows from believing what God has said. 3. Prayer and Praise as Channels James knits suffering, prayer, cheerfulness, and praise into a seamless fabric. The term therefore serves as a hinge between supplication and doxology, revealing that both lament and rejoicing are worship when directed to God. Historical and Literary Setting • Acts 27 places the word in a Greco-Roman maritime disaster narrative. Ancient sailors often appeased capricious gods with sacrifices; Paul instead offers a word from the living God. His use of the term counters fatalism with biblical hope, demonstrating evangelistic witness in crisis leadership. • James addresses Jewish believers dispersed after early persecutions. The epistle exhorts them to perseverance, ethical integrity, and wholehearted devotion. By including 2114 James affirms that authentic gladness is possible for communities facing social and economic marginalization. Relation to Other Biblical Concepts • Tharseō (take heart) – frequently used by Jesus (Matthew 9:2; John 16:33), shares thematic proximity. Both verbs point to courage supplied by divine initiative. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Crisis Leadership Paul’s example equips Christian leaders to speak confidence into chaotic situations, grounding reassurance in Scripture and God’s proven faithfulness. 2. Corporate Worship Patterns James 5:13 legitimizes spontaneous praise when believers experience cheerfulness. A balanced liturgy allows space for both lament and songs of jubilant assurance. 3. Pastoral Counseling The term encourages counselors to guide suffering saints toward prayer and God-centered thinking, cultivating spiritual resilience rather than stoic denial. 4. Evangelistic Witness Unflappable cheerfulness amid trials provides a platform for gospel proclamation, demonstrating the reality of hope that “does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). Conclusion Strong’s 2114 portrays a Spirit-enabled steadiness that sings while the storm still rages and speaks life when death seems near. Rooted in faith, expressed in worship, and manifested in mutual encouragement, it remains a vital hallmark of authentic Christian living. Englishman's Concordance Acts 27:22 V-PNAGRK: παραινῶ ὑμᾶς εὐθυμεῖν ἀποβολὴ γὰρ NAS: I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no KJV: you to be of good cheer: for INT: I exhort you to take heart loss indeed Acts 27:25 V-PMA-2P James 5:13 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 2114 |
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