807. aschémoneó

Lexical Summary

aschémoneó: To behave improperly, to act unbecomingly

Original Word: ἀσχημονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aschémoneó
Pronunciation: ah-skay-mon-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (as-kay-mon-eh'-o)
KJV: behave self uncomely (unseemly)
NASB: act unbecomingly, acting unbecomingly
Word Origin: [from G809 (ἀσχήμων - presentable)]

1. to be (i.e. act) unbecoming

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

behave unseemly.

From askemon; to be (i.e. Act) unbecoming -- behave self uncomely (unseemly).

see GREEK askemon

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 807 asxēmonéō (from 809 /asxḗmōn, "without proper shape, form") – to act unseemly (literally, "improperly"); (figuratively) to lack proper form and hence thought of as unseemly (indecent, unbecoming).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aschémón
Definition
to act unbecomingly
NASB Translation
act unbecomingly (1), acting unbecomingly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 807: ἀσχημονέω

ἀσχημονέω, ἀσχημόνω; (to be ἀσχήμων, deformed; τήν κεφαλήν ἀσχημονεῖν, of a bald man, Aelian v. h. 11, 4); to act unbecomingly ((Euripides), Xenophon, Plato, others.): 1 Corinthians 13:5; ἐπί τινα, toward one, i. e. contextually, to prepare disgrace for her, 1 Corinthians 7:36.

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Scope

The verb captures the idea of conduct that is socially or morally out of line—anything that violates the order, dignity, or modesty God intends for human relationships. It addresses both public decorum and private propriety and can shade from simple discourtesy to outright sexual impropriety, depending on context.

Old Testament and Intertestamental Resonance

Conceptually, the term echoes the Hebrew emphasis on “dishonor” or “nakedness” (Genesis 9:22-23; Leviticus 18:6-19). The Septuagint often uses related vocabulary to condemn shameful exposure, whether physical or ethical. Jewish wisdom literature likewise frames shameful behavior as folly that estranges a person from covenant blessing (Proverbs 14:35; Sirach 41:17).

New Testament Usage

1. 1 Corinthians 13:5: “Love… is not rude”. Here the word is placed within the celebrated definition of agapē. True Christian love refuses all conduct—speech, gesture, dress, attitude—that would disgrace another or bring reproach upon the name of Christ. Thus love is inherently self-restraining.

2. 1 Corinthians 7:36: “If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin…”. Paul applies the term to a betrothed man weighing marriage. The concern is avoidance of any behavior that would blemish the young woman’s honor or the couple’s testimony. The verse links moral decency with pastoral sensitivity and honors marriage as God’s provision for desire.

Theological Implications

• Sanctity of the Body: Both passages assume that the body is for the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:13). Unseemly behavior insults the Creator who designed human dignity.
• Other-Centered Love: The opposite of ἀσχημονεῖν is a love that guards another’s reputation (Philippians 2:4). It is therefore an ethical counterpart to the doctrine of imago Dei.
• Corporate Witness: Because the church is Christ’s body, rude or indecent actions distort the gospel’s visible expression in the world (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Historical Interpretation

Early church fathers, especially Chrysostom, read 1 Corinthians 13:5 as a rebuke of liturgical irreverence and domestic harshness. Medieval commentators applied 1 Corinthians 7:36 to courtship protocols, stressing parental and ecclesial oversight. Reformers used both texts to buttress teaching on modesty, seeing indecency as symptomatic of fallen self-love.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Counseling: When addressing sexual boundaries, 1 Corinthians 7:36 reminds believers that intentions matter as much as actions; pastoral counsel should encourage honorable decision-making before compromise occurs.
• Worship Leadership: 1 Corinthians 13:5 undergirds guidelines for attire, language, and platform demeanor that protect congregational reverence.
• Family Discipleship: Parents can use these verses to train children in courteous speech and respectful treatment of peers.
• Evangelism: A life free from shameless behavior authenticates the gospel, opening doors for witness in a culture often numbed to impropriety.

Pastoral Reflection

Sanctified manners are not peripheral niceties; they flow from a heart transformed by Christ. Where love governs, rudeness withers; where purity prevails, scandal is averted. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Forms and Transliterations

ασχημονει ασχημονεί ἀσχημονεῖ ασχημονειν ασχημονείν ἀσχημονεῖν ασχημονήσει ασχημονούσα ασχημονούσαν aschemonei aschemoneî aschēmonei aschēmoneî aschemonein aschemoneîn aschēmonein aschēmoneîn

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 7:36 V-PNA
GRK: δέ τις ἀσχημονεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν
NAS: thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward
KJV: think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward
INT: moreover anyone behaving unseemly to the

1 Corinthians 13:5 V-PIA-3S
GRK: οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ οὐ ζητεῖ
NAS: does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek
KJV: not behave itself unseemly, seeketh
INT: not acts unseemly not seeks

Strong's Greek 807
2 Occurrences

ἀσχημονεῖ — 1 Occ.
ἀσχημονεῖν — 1 Occ.