2156. euschémonós

Lexical Summary

euschémonós: Noble, reputable, honorable, of good form

Original Word: εὐσχήμων
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: euschémonós
Pronunciation: yoo-skay-mo-nos'
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-skhay-mon'-ose)
KJV: decently, honestly
NASB: properly
Word Origin: [adverb from G2158 (εὐσχήμων - prominent)]

1. decorously

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

decently, honestly.

Adverb from euschemon; decorously -- decently, honestly.

see GREEK euschemon

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2156 eusxēmónōs (from 2158/eusxēmōn, which is literally "having good form") – properly; "decorously becomingly" (A-S), i.e. what is respectable, honorable (modest, noble). The precise nuance of having "good form" is only determined by the context. See 2158 (eusxēmōn).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
adverb from euschémón
Definition
becomingly
NASB Translation
properly (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2156: εὐσχημόνως

εὐσχημόνως, adverb (see εὐσχήμων), in a seemly manner, decently: 1 Corinthians 14:40; περιπατεῖν, Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12. (Aristophanes vesp. 1210; Xenophon, mem. 3, 12, 4; Cyril 1, 3, 8f; others.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Essence

Within the New Testament, Strong’s Greek 2156 denotes a manner of life and ministry that is fitting, orderly, and becoming to those who belong to Christ. It calls believers to conduct that is externally attractive because it accurately represents the inner transformation produced by the gospel.

Biblical Occurrences

• Romans 13:13 – “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime…”. Paul contrasts a life that is transparent and disciplined with one marked by revelry and sensual excess.
• 1 Corinthians 14:40 – “But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.” Here the same adverb governs congregational worship, linking decency with divinely ordered corporate life.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12 – “…so that you will behave properly toward outsiders…” Paul connects dignity of life with effective witness before an unbelieving world.

Theological Themes

1. Daylight Ethic: Romans 13:11-14 frames Christian ethics in eschatological light: since the night is nearly over, believers are to walk as children of the day. Decent conduct thus anticipates the coming kingdom.
2. Worship and Order: In 1 Corinthians 14, orderly use of spiritual gifts protects edification, avoids confusion, and reflects God’s own character of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
3. Missional Witness: First-century congregations met amid pagan scrutiny. Paul insists that moral and social decorum adorn the gospel so that “the word of the Lord may be honored” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
4. Harmony with Holiness: Decency does not signal mere social respectability; it is the practical outworking of sanctification (Hebrews 12:14), combining purity with public credibility.

Historical Context in the Early Church

Greco-Roman society prized public honor and decorum, yet tolerated moral laxity in private and religious spheres. Believers were to surpass prevailing standards by integrating integrity in every context—home, marketplace, and assembly. Early Christian apologists (e.g., Athenagoras, Justin Martyr) often appealed to the conspicuously disciplined lives of Christians as a defense against slander, showing the enduring apologetic value of εὐσχημόνως living.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Leadership Example: Elders and deacons model propriety (1 Timothy 3:2-7), establishing congregational culture.
• Liturgical Planning: Services shaped by clarity, intelligibility, and participant edification embody 1 Corinthians 14:40.
• Discipleship: Teaching new believers connects personal holiness with public testimony, emphasizing that manner of life validates proclamations of faith (Philippians 1:27).
• Community Engagement: Proper conduct toward outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:12) fosters respect, quiet labor, and financial integrity, undermining accusations of fanaticism or idleness.

Exhortations for Personal Conduct

1. Guard the Tongue – Speech that is gracious yet truthful reinforces a decent walk (Colossians 4:6).
2. Govern Desires – “Make no provision for the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14), replacing indulgence with Spirit-led discipline.
3. Practice Hospitality – Orderly households offer tangible demonstrations of the gospel’s beauty (1 Peter 4:9).
4. Cultivate Peace – Avoid strife and sensationalism, for “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17).

Connections with the Wider Canon

Old Testament priestly language—“Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2)—foreshadows the New Testament call to beautiful, orderly living. Similarly, prophetic visions of nations streaming to Zion (Isaiah 2:2-4) are advanced when believers display kingdom ethics now. The Pastoral Epistles reinforce the link between godliness and good order (Titus 2:10), and Revelation envisions the Bride adorned for her Husband, the consummate picture of decency.

Believers who live εὐσχημόνως embody the gospel’s transformative power, honor the Lord in private and public spheres, and provide a compelling testimony until the full daylight of Christ’s return.

Forms and Transliterations

ευσχημονως ευσχημόνως εὐσχημόνως euschemonos euschemónos euschēmonōs euschēmónōs

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 13:13 Adv
GRK: ἐν ἡμέρᾳ εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν μὴ
NAS: Let us behave properly as in the day,
KJV: Let us walk honestly, as in
INT: in [the] day properly we should walk not

1 Corinthians 14:40 Adv
GRK: πάντα δὲ εὐσχημόνως καὶ κατὰ
NAS: must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
KJV: all things be done decently and in
INT: All things also properly and with

1 Thessalonians 4:12 Adv
GRK: ἵνα περιπατῆτε εὐσχημόνως πρὸς τοὺς
NAS: that you will behave properly toward
KJV: ye may walk honestly toward
INT: that you might walk properly toward those

Strong's Greek 2156
3 Occurrences

εὐσχημόνως — 3 Occ.