Lexical Summary hésuchia: Quietness, silence, tranquility Original Word: ἡσυχία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance quietness, silence. Feminine of hesuchios; (as noun) stillness, i.e. Desistance from bustle or language -- quietness, silence. see GREEK hesuchios HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2271 hēsy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hésuchios Definition stillness NASB Translation quiet (2), quiet fashion (1), quietly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2271: ἡσυχίαἡσυχία, ἡσυχίας, ἡ (from the adjective ἡσύχιος, which see; the feminine expresses the general notion (Winers Grammar, 95 (90)), cf. αἰτία, ἀρετή, ἔχθρα, etc.) (from Homer down); 1. quietness: descriptive of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others, 2 Thessalonians 3:12. 2. silence: Acts 22:2; 1 Timothy 2:11f The term expresses an inner and outer stillness that avoids disturbance. It does not describe passivity born of indifference but an active, disciplined composure that allows the word of God to be heard, obeyed, and displayed. Occurrences and Literary Context Acts 22:2 portrays the hush of a Jerusalem crowd: “When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became even more silent”. The quiet conveys reverence and readiness to listen to Paul’s testimony. In 1 Timothy 2:11-12 the word frames proper order within corporate worship: “A woman must learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet”. Here quietness safeguards the teaching office and underlines receptivity to apostolic doctrine. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 addresses believers who were idle busybodies: “Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly to earn their own bread”. The quiet life stands opposite disruptive loafing and supports a credible witness before outsiders. Theological Themes Order in the assembly. 1 Timothy 2 shows that God’s household flourishes when worshippers set aside personal assertiveness so that the gospel may be plainly taught (compare 1 Corinthians 14:33-35). Submission to rightful authority. The word links with the broader biblical call to submit—wives to husbands (1 Peter 3:4), citizens to rulers (Romans 13:1-2), and disciples to elders (Hebrews 13:17). Such submission is never servile but derives from trust in God’s wisdom. Witness to the world. Paul’s concern in Thessalonica was evangelistic; restless dependence on others undermined the testimony of those awaiting Christ’s return. Quiet labor showed eschatological hope without fanatical disorder (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13). Reverent attentiveness. Acts 22:2 depicts listeners silenced so that divine truth might penetrate their hearts, paralleling the Lord’s requirement, “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). Historical Background Greco-Roman society prized civic peace (pax) and despised agitators. Early Christians, viewed with suspicion, demonstrated by their quiet demeanor that the kingdom of God was no threat to public order (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Within Jewish synagogue practice, students learned seated and silent before a rabbi. Paul’s wording in 1 Timothy echoes that educational pattern, now carried into the Christian gathering where Scripture is expounded authoritatively by qualified men (1 Timothy 3:2). Pastoral and Ministry Application • Cultivating a receptive spirit: churches promote healthy teaching when members restrain self-assertion and value doctrinal clarity over personal display. Related Vocabulary and Themes • The adjective hēsuchos (“gentle, quiet”) appears in 1 Peter 3:4, reinforcing the link between inner tranquility and outward demeanor. Summary Strong’s Greek 2271 portrays a Spirit-wrought stillness that honors God, edifies the church, and persuades the watching world. Whether restoring order in a tense crowd, shaping worship in Ephesus, or correcting idleness in Thessalonica, the word calls disciples to a calm, obedient posture that magnifies Christ’s lordship and advances His mission. Englishman's Concordance Acts 22:2 N-AFSGRK: μᾶλλον παρέσχον ἡσυχίαν καί φησιν NAS: even more quiet; and he said, KJV: the more silence: and INT: the more they kept quiet and he says 2 Thessalonians 3:12 N-GFS 1 Timothy 2:11 N-DFS 1 Timothy 2:12 N-DFS Strong's Greek 2271 |
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