- *G2106 *21 εὐδοκέω (yoo-dok-eh'-o) : from G2095 and G1380; to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing):--think good, (be well) please(-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.
- ευδοκησα *5
- Matthew 3:17 ... Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- Matthew 17:5 ... Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
- Mark 1:11 ... Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- Luke 3:22 ... Son; in thee I am well pleased.
- 2 Peter 1:17 ... in whom I am well pleased.
- ευδοκησεν *5
- Luke 12:32 ... flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 ... knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness ...
- 1 Corinthians 10:5 ... of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown ...
- Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated ...
- Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all ...
- ηυδοκησαν *2
- Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make ...
- Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. ...
- ευδοκουμεν *2
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from ...
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not ...
- ηυδοκησας *2
- Hebrews 10:6 ... sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
- Hebrews 10:8 ... thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
- ηυδοκησεν
- Matthew 12:18 ... whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit ...
- ευδοκω
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, ...
- ευδοκησαμεν
- 1 Thessalonians 3:1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
- ευδοκησαντες
- 2 Thessalonians 2:12 ... not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
- ευδοκει
- Hebrews 10:38 ... my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
18. Angels singing
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [kjv]
και εξαιφνης εγενετο συν τω αγγελω πληθος στρατιας ουρανιου αινουντων τον θεον και λεγοντων [gnt]
Notice that in the verse there were no "
angels", just "
soldiers" or "
hosts" and they were not "
singing". They were "
praising", a word related to "
enigma".
From a marketing point of view, the original words "
Hark the herald welkins ring" (by Charles Wesley) were changed to "
Hark the herald angels sing" (by George Whitfield) to make it more appealing.
19. Luke 2:13
KJV: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Greek: και εξαιφνης εγενετο συν τω αγγελω πληθος στρατιας ουρανιου αινουντων τον θεον και λεγοντων
20. Christmas story
The "
heavenly hosts" continue.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
I have heard pastors go on and on at length about the Greek meaning of
"good will" in this verse. They often take it to say something like "
good will to men on whom his pleasure rests". This does not appear to be what the Greek means. This appears to be a partial fix-up for the English meaning which appears to have come through the Latin translation which slightly changes the Greek.
21. Latin
KJV (King James Version):
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
The Latin word
"bona" ≈ "good" and is the source of the English word
"bonus".
The Latin word
"voluntas" ≈ "free will, choice" and is the source of the English word
"volunteer".
The Latin appears to slide the meaning from
"good opinion" (perception) to "
good choice" (action on that perception).
22. Good opinion
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
Thus, from the root meaning one has "
good opinion toward men". From that root meaning, there may or may not be physical implications in this world and those implications may be good or bad from various points of view.
How about:
Peace on earth to those who have a good opinion of it (peace).
Does everyone want peace? What is "
peace"? Might that be ambiguous too?
23. Pax Romana
1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. [kjv]
εκκλινατω δε απο κακου και ποιησατω αγαθον ζητησατω ειρηνην και διωξατω αυτην [gnt]
Peter says we are to
"make" or "
do" "
good" and "
seek"
"peace",
not "make" "peace". The Greek translated as
"ensue" is that of
"pursue" or
"persecute".
When the word
"peace" is used, one must ask the following question. What exactly is meant by the word
"peace"?
- World (humanist) definition of "peace".
- Bible definition of "peace".
The Latin word
"pax" ≈ "peace" as in the "
Roman peace" or "
Pax Romana". This was a
"peace" by
force.
[Grove]
24. Peace
A precise definition of
peace is important.
The aggressor is always peace-loving (as Bonaparte always claimed to be); he would prefer to take over our country unopposed. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)
25. Luke 2:14
KJV: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Greek: δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκια ευδοκιας
Latin: gloria in altissimis Deo et in terra pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis
26. Heart's desire
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [kjv]
How does the meaning change if "
desire" is changed to
"good opinion", "
wishful thinking", etc.?
Discuss:
- Does Paul want Israel to be saved?
- Does Paul expect Israel to change and be saved?
Might Paul later write "
Hebrews" to those Hebrews?
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
|
27. Romans 10:1
KJV: Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Greek: αδελφοι η μεν ευδοκια της εμης καρδιας και η δεησις η προς τον θεον υπερ του ισραηλ εστιν αυτων εις σωτηριαν
Latin: fratres voluntas quidem cordis mei et obsecratio ad Deum fit pro illis in salutem
28. Ephesus and predestination
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [kjv]
And, a few verses later.
1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [kjv]
How does the meaning change in either verse if "
good pleasure" is changed to
"good opinion", "
wishful thinking", etc.?
29. Ephesians 1:5
KJV: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Greek: προορισας ημας εις υιοθεσιαν δια ιησου χριστου εις αυτον κατα την ευδοκιαν του θεληματος αυτου
Latin: qui praedestinavit nos in adoptionem filiorum per Iesum Christum in ipsum secundum propositum voluntatis suae
30. Ephesians 1:9
KJV: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Greek: γνωρισας ημιν το μυστηριον του θεληματος αυτου κατα την ευδοκιαν αυτου ην προεθετο εν αυτω
31. Philippians and good will
Are the some preaching
"good will" doing a good thing, a not so good thing, some of both, etc.?
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [kjv]
τινες μεν και δια φθονον και εριν τινες δε και δι ευδοκιαν τον χριστον κηρυσσουσιν [gnt]
How does the meaning change if
"good will" is changed to
"good opinion", "
wishful thinking", etc.? The Greek word does not, in and of itself, mean "
intended action" nor actual "
action". Whose "
goodwill"?
In Philippians, Paul is taking the "
bishops" and church leadership to task for teaching and doing things not in line with Christ. To avoid a direct attack, Paul uses many ambiguous phrases. In the above verse, to whose
"good will" or
"good opinion" does Paul refer?
32. Philippians 1:15
KJV: Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Greek: τινες μεν και δια φθονον και εριν τινες δε και δι ευδοκιαν τον χριστον κηρυσσουσιν
Latin: quidam quidem et propter invidiam et contentionem quidam autem et propter bonam voluntatem Christum praedicant
Spanish: Algunos, a la verdad, predican a Cristo por envidia y contienda; y otros también de buena voluntad.
33. Repeated idea
Paul uses the same Greek word for
"good opinion" in the next chapter.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [kjv]
2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. [kjv]
θεος γαρ εστιν ο ενεργων εν υμιν και το θελειν και το ενεργειν υπερ της ευδοκιας [gnt]
The Greek is the same, the Latin is the same (though a slightly different meaning than the Greek), but the
KJV uses the different words "
worketh" and "
do". The actual Greek word used was used by Aristotle for a specific meaning of "
actualization".
34. Philippians 2:13
KJV: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Greek: ο θεος γαρ εστιν ο ενεργων εν υμιν και το θελειν και το ενεργειν υπερ της ευδοκιας
Latin: Deus est enim qui operatur in vobis et velle et perficere pro bona voluntate
35. Comparison
First use:
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [kjv]
τινες μεν και δια φθονον και εριν τινες δε και δι ευδοκιαν τον χριστον κηρυσσουσιν [gnt]
Second use:
2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. [kjv]
θεος γαρ εστιν ο ενεργων εν υμιν και το θελειν και το ενεργειν υπερ της ευδοκιας [gnt]
Paul uses a lot of double-meanings and some ambiguous pronouns in Philippians. Often, the first use of a word can be taken in a negative sense while the second use is in a positive sense. How does that pattern fit here?
36. LXX
Let us look at a few places where the Greek word for
"good opinion" appears in the
LXX (Septuagint).
37. Progression
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. [kjv]
και εσονται εις ευδοκιαν τα λογια του στοματος μου και η μελετη της καρδιας μου ενωπιον σου δια παντος κυριε βοηθε μου και λυτρωτα μου [lxx]
This verse is often heard by pastors before a sermon.
The
LXX adds
"good opinion" as an adjective for "
words of my mouth".
38. Previous verse
Less heard is the previous verse which has to do with possible "
sins".
Psalms 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. [kjv]
19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. [kjv]
A pastor who is stressing "
Love neighbor" (love sinner) at the expense of "
Love God" (hate sin) would prefer not to include that preceding verse.
39. Psalms 19:13
KJV: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Hebrew: גם מזדים חשך עבדך אל ימשלו בי אז איתם ונקיתי מפשע רב׃
Greek: και απο αλλοτριων φεισαι του δουλου σου εαν μη μου κατακυριευσωσιν τοτε αμωμος εσομαι και καθαρισθησομαι απο αμαρτιας μεγαλης
40. Psalms 19:14
KJV: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Hebrew: יהיו לרצון אמרי פי והגיון לבי לפניך יהוה צורי וגאלי׃
Greek: και εσονται εις ευδοκιαν τα λογια του στοματος μου και η μελετη της καρδιας μου ενωπιον σου δια παντος κυριε βοηθε μου και λυτρωτα μου
41. Progression
Psalms 106:4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; [kjv]
μνησθητι ημων κυριε εν τη ευδοκια του λαου σου επισκεψαι ημας εν τω σωτηριω σου [lxx]
The
LXX contains the Greek world for "
visit" which would become the word for "
bishop".
42. Psalms 106:4
KJV: Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
Hebrew: זכרני יהוה ברצון עמך פקדני בישועתך׃
Greek: μνησθητι ημων κυριε εν τη ευδοκια του λαου σου επισκεψαι ημας εν τω σωτηριω σου
43. Desire
Psalms 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. [kjv]
ανοιγεις συ την χειρα σου και εμπιπλας παν ζωον ευδοκιας [lxx]
The
LXX appears to use
"good opinion" for "
desire".
44. Psalms 145:16
KJV: Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Hebrew: פותח את ידך ומשביע לכל חי רצון׃
Greek: ανοιγεις συ την χειρα σου και εμπιπλας παν ζωον ευδοκιας
45. End of page
The ancient Greek word "εὐδοκέω" ≈ "well-pleased, content" and comes from two Greek words that mean, literally, "good opinion" or "seems good". It is a perception in the mind that may or may not exist in reality. It is a "point of view". Context is important!
Thus, the literal meaning is that of "good opinion" or "seems good". Sometimes the word is translated as "Good will". This word took on nuances of meaning over time.
Context is important. Whose "point of view" is implied in the text? What "point of view" should be inferred? That "point of view" may be ambiguous. Perhaps that is on purpose. Paul sometimes does this.
Context is important! Here is the progression.
