Lexical Summary semnos: Noble, honorable, dignified, worthy of respect Original Word: σεμνός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance grave, honest. From sebomai; venerable, i.e. Honorable -- grave, honest. see GREEK sebomai HELPS Word-studies 4586 semnós (an adjective derived from 4576 /sébomai, "to revere, be in awe") – properly, what is august (dignified, has "gravitas"); weighty, deeply respected because viewed as majestic (having "gravity"); grave. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sebó Definition reverend, i.e. venerable, spec. serious NASB Translation dignified (2), honorable (1), men of dignity (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4586: σεμνόςσεμνός, σεμνή, σεμνόν (σέβω), from (Homer h. Cer., others), Aeschylus, Pindar down, august, venerable, reverend; to be venerated for character, honorable: of persons (A. V. grave), 1 Timothy 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2; of deeds, Philippians 4:8. (Cf. Trench, § xcii.; Schmidt, chapter 173, 5.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4586 (semnós) conveys a quality of moral weightiness: conduct and character that invite respect because they reflect the holiness, gravity, and worthiness of God Himself. While never suggesting somber aloofness, the term consistently urges believers to live in a manner that commands honor without demanding it. New Testament Distribution • Philippians 4:8 – a standard for every believer’s thought life Philippians 4:8: Honorable Thinking “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable… think on these things.” By anchoring semnós in the realm of the mind, Paul shows that public dignity begins with private meditation. The believer disciplines the inner world to dwell on what is weighty with moral worth; honorable thoughts seed honorable actions. Pastoral Epistles: A Leadership Prerequisite In 1 Timothy and Titus, semnós functions as a credential for ministry. Whether deacons, deaconesses, or seasoned men of the congregation, those entrusted with visible service must exhibit a life that naturally elicits respect. Authority in the church is never rooted merely in office but in observable character. • 1 Timothy 3 emphasizes that dignified servants avoid duplicity, intemperance, and greed—the antithesis of honor. Theological Significance 1. Reflection of God’s Nature – Scripture repeatedly affirms the majesty (“weightiness”) of God; semnós calls believers to mirror that majesty on earth. Historical Perspective Early Christian writers valued semnós as a guard against the scandal that plagued pagan priesthoods. The Didache exhorts church officers to be “grave yet gentle,” echoing the balance Paul advocates. Ignatius commends the Smyrnaeans for leaders who are σεμνοί, noting that their dignity fortified church unity under persecution. Relation to Old Testament Concepts Semnós overlaps with the Hebrew notion of kāḇôd (glory, honor) and the wisdom ideal of yirʾat YHWH (reverent fear of the LORD). Proverbs 4:8 associates wisdom with exalted honor, anticipating Paul’s link between elevated thought and honorable living. Practical Ministry Implications • Selection of Leaders – Churches should examine not only doctrinal fidelity but observable dignity when appointing servants. Cultivating Semnós Today 1. Meditative Filtering – Regularly sift mental intake through Philippians 4:8. Summary Strong’s 4586 calls every believer—especially those in visible ministry—to a life whose moral gravity attracts genuine respect and reflects the worthiness of the God they serve. Forms and Transliterations σεμνα σεμνά σεμναί σεμνας σεμνάς σεμνους σεμνούς semna semná semnas semnás semnous semnoúsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Philippians 4:8 Adj-NNPGRK: ἀληθῆ ὅσα σεμνά ὅσα δίκαια NAS: whatever is honorable, whatever KJV: whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things INT: true whatever honorable whatever right 1 Timothy 3:8 Adj-AMP 1 Timothy 3:11 Adj-AFP Titus 2:2 Adj-AMP Strong's Greek 4586 |
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