Lexical Summary hupékoos: Obedient Original Word: ὑπήκοος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance obedient. From hupakouo; attentively listening, i.e. (by implication) submissive -- obedient. see GREEK hupakouo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hupakouó Definition giving ear, obedient NASB Translation obedient (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5255: ὑπήκοοςὑπήκοος, ὑπηκον (ἀκοή; see ὑπακούω, 2), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down, giving ear, obedient: Philippians 2:8; with the dative of the person Acts 7:39; εἰς πάντα, 2 Corinthians 2:9. Topical Lexicon Overview The term translated “obedient” (ὑπήκοος) describes a disposition of willing submission to rightful authority that proceeds from attentive listening. It occurs three times in the Greek New Testament and, in each setting, exposes a different facet of obedience—national, ecclesial, and Christological. Scriptural Occurrences Acts 7:39 presents the tragic contrast of Israel’s ancestors who “refused to obey” Moses and thus rejected the gracious leading of God in the wilderness. 2 Corinthians 2:9 records Paul’s pastoral test: “to see if you would be obedient in everything,” revealing that true repentance and restoration within the church are measured by concrete compliance with apostolic instruction. Philippians 2:8 reaches the pinnacle of the concept: the incarnate Son “became obedient to death— even death on a cross,” displaying perfect yieldedness to the Father’s redemptive plan. Historical Background In the first-century Greco-Roman world, obedience was bound to notions of household order, military hierarchy, and civic duty. Scripture elevates the idea beyond mere social necessity by rooting it in covenant loyalty to God. Stephen’s speech (Acts 7) surveys Israel’s history to show that rebellion against divinely appointed leaders is rebellion against God Himself. Paul, steeped in both Jewish covenant theology and Roman civic life, uses the same word to urge churches to transfer the loyalty expected in society to the higher authority of Christ and His gospel. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Faithfulness: Acts 7 portrays disobedience as the breach of covenant, setting the stage for exile and judgment. Christological Dimension Philippians 2:8 shows that Christ’s obedience involves both active righteousness (fulfilling all the Father’s will) and passive submission (accepting the cross). This single verse answers Adam’s failure and Israel’s stubbornness, establishing Jesus as the obedient Israelite and the second Adam whose righteousness is imputed to believers. Ecclesial and Pastoral Application • Church Discipline and Restoration: Paul’s test in 2 Corinthians 2 demonstrates that disciplinary measures aim at producing obedience that leads to reconciliation. Intertextual Threads • Deuteronomy 18:15-19 anticipates a prophet like Moses to whom Israel “must listen,” prefiguring Christ’s ultimate authority. Ministry Implications 1. Gospel Proclamation: Present Christ not only as Savior but as the obedient Servant whose righteousness secures salvation. Summary Ὑπήκοος threads through Scripture as a golden cord linking Israel’s failure, the church’s calling, and Christ’s triumph. It summons God’s people to a life of attentive, joyful submission that mirrors the obedience of the Lord they confess. Forms and Transliterations υπηκοοι υπήκοοι υπήκοοί ὑπήκοοι ὑπήκοοί υπηκοος υπήκοος ὑπήκοος υπηκόους υπηρεσία hypekooi hypēkooi hypḗkooi hypḗkooí hypekoos hypēkoos hypḗkoos upekooi upēkooi upekoos upēkoosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 7:39 Adj-NMPGRK: οὐκ ἠθέλησαν ὑπήκοοι γενέσθαι οἱ NAS: were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated INT: not would subject be the 2 Corinthians 2:9 Adj-NMP Philippians 2:8 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 5255 |
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