Lexical Summary apodektos: Acceptable, pleasing Original Word: ἀπόδεκτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance acceptable. From apodechomai; accepted, i.e. Agreeable -- acceptable. see GREEK apodechomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 587 apódektos (an adjective, derived from 588 /apodéxomai, "gladly receive") – properly, what is gladly welcomed because pleasing (acceptable). 587 (apódektos) looks back to the source that prompts the glad receiving (note the prefix, apo). For the believer, this is God Himself (His grace). See 588 (apodexomai). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apodechomai Definition acceptable NASB Translation acceptable (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 587: ἀπόδεκτοςἀπόδεκτος (so L T WH accent (and Rev. in 1 Timothy 2:3); others ἀπόδεκτος, cf. Lob. Paralip., p. 498; Göttling, p. 313f; Chandler § 529f), ἀπόδεκτον (see ἀποδέχομαι), a later word, accepted, acceptable, agreeable: 1 Timothy 2:3; 1 Timothy 5:4. Topical Lexicon Definition and Key Idea Strong’s Greek 587 (ἀπόδεκτον, apodekton) conveys the thought of something welcomed, pleasing, or fully acceptable to God. It sets a measure for actions that move beyond mere compliance to what He openly receives with favor. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Timothy 2:3 and 1 Timothy 5:4 contain the term, both within Paul’s pastoral counsel to Timothy. Each text links “good” (καλός) with ἀπόδεκτον, highlighting deeds that are morally beautiful and divinely approved. • 1 Timothy 2:3: “This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior”. Theological Significance 1. Divine Approbation. Scripture frequently distinguishes between what humans applaud and what the Lord esteems (Luke 16:15). Apodekton identifies the latter. Relationship to Worship and Prayer In 1 Timothy 2:1–4 Paul urges intercession for “all people, for kings and all in authority.” Such prayer is labeled ἀπόδεκτον because it reflects God’s universal redemptive desire (1 Timothy 2:4) and fosters societal peace conducive to gospel witness. The term therefore places corporate prayer within the category of priestly service, transforming ordinary petitions into worship God delights in. Family and Social Ethics 1 Timothy 5:4 anchors care for widows in biological families before the church assumes responsibility. By calling filial recompense ἀπόδεκτον, Paul elevates everyday acts of honor to holy service. In a Greco-Roman context where the state offered limited welfare, Christian households became the frontline of mercy ministry, embodying the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) and validating faith before an observing world (1 Timothy 5:8, 16). Comparison with Related Terms • εὐάρεστος (Romans 12:1) also means “well-pleasing,” stressing delight; ἀπόδεκτον highlights acceptability and readiness to be received. Together these words form a semantic family describing worship that satisfies God’s righteous standards and affectionate heart. Historic Usage in Early Church Early Fathers referenced 1 Timothy 2:1–4 when praying for emperors, even hostile ones, seeing such petitions as ἀπόδεκτον worship. Tertullian (Apology 30) argued that loyal prayer proved Christians were the empire’s best citizens. Likewise, the church order known as the Apostolic Constitutions cited 1 Timothy 5 to instruct deacons in evaluating widows’ needs, preserving the principle that family members have primary obligation. Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Measure Ministries: Evaluate programs by whether they yield what God calls ἀπόδεκτον—prayer that advances salvation purposes and deeds that honor family responsibilities. Biblical Theology and Continuity From Abel’s acceptable sacrifice (Genesis 4:4) to believers offering bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), Scripture traces a trajectory of worship that God receives. Apodekton crystallizes this trajectory in two concrete spheres—public intercession and private family duty—showing that both realms can be equally sacred. Doctrinal Implications 1. Sovereign Evaluation: Only God defines what is acceptable; human tradition must yield to revelation (Mark 7:6–9). Summary ἀπόδεκτον frames Christian obedience in terms of what God gladly welcomes. Whether interceding for rulers or caring for relatives, believers participate in worship that meets the divine standard of approval. The term invites every generation to pursue a life and ministry stamped “acceptable” by the Lord whom they serve. Forms and Transliterations αποδεκτον απόδεκτον ἀπόδεκτον αποδεσμεύει απόδεσμος apodekton apódektonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 2:3 Adj-NNSGRK: καλὸν καὶ ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ NAS: is good and acceptable in the sight KJV: and acceptable in the sight INT: [is] good and acceptable before the 1 Timothy 5:4 Adj-NNS |
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