Lexical Summary eunoia: Goodwill, favor, benevolence Original Word: εὔνοια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance benevolence, good will. From the same as eunoeo; kindness; euphemistically, conjugal duty -- benevolence, good will. see GREEK eunoeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as eunoeó Definition goodwill NASB Translation good will (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2133: εὔνοιαεὔνοια, εὐνοίας, ἡ (ἐυνως), good-will, kindness: 1 Corinthians 7:3 Rec.; μετ' εὐνοίας, Ephesians 6:7. (From Aeschylus down.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2133 denotes a spirit of warm‐hearted benevolence toward others—“goodwill” or “wholeheartedness.” It captures not merely polite civility but an active, sincere desire for another’s good that springs from a redeemed heart. Scriptural context: Ephesians 6:7 “Serve with goodwill as to the Lord and not to men” (Ephesians 6:7). Paul addresses bondservants, urging them to transform compulsory labor into worship. Their motivation is relocated from human masters to the Lord Himself, so that even menial tasks become holy service. The verse frames eunoia as: Historical and social setting In Roman society, slaves constituted a formidable labor force and were often treated as property. The apostolic instruction introduces a revolutionary ethic: the slave’s heart matters to God, and sincere goodwill counts as worship. While not dismantling the social structure in a single stroke, the gospel injects a new relational dynamic that quietly undermines exploitation and dignifies every station of life. Theology of goodwill in Scripture 1. Rooted in divine character: “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us” (Titus 3:4–5). Human goodwill mirrors the benevolent initiative of God. Old Testament echoes While the term itself is Greek, the concept resonates with the Hebrew hesed (steadfast love) and tob lev (good heart). Joseph, serving in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39), and Ruth gleaning in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2) exemplify work infused with gracious intent. Pastoral implications • Vocation: Every legitimate occupation becomes a platform for worship when performed with goodwill. Early Church witness The Epistle to Diognetus lauds Christians who “share their table with all, but not their bed,” reflecting practical benevolence. Second‐century believers gained credibility by caring for strangers and plague victims, a social expression of goodwill rooted in passages like Ephesians 6:7. Contemporary application In workplaces marked by self‐promotion, genuine goodwill distinguishes believers. Volunteering, mentoring, and ethical business practices translate eunoia into modern contexts, demonstrating that the gospel reshapes not only Sunday worship but Monday labor. Devotional meditation Pray through Ephesians 6:7, asking the Spirit to expose grumbling hearts and to cultivate joyful service. Remember that Christ “took the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7); as His followers, goodwill is our fitting response. Forms and Transliterations εύνοιαν ευνοιας ευνοίας εὐνοίας eunoias eunoíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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