εὐσχημ-οσύνη G2157
Presentability, dignity, comeliness; the quality of being respectable or decent in appearance
This noun denotes the quality of being presentable, respectable, or seemly in appearance. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 12:23 when discussing the body of Christ: we give greater honor to less presentable parts, and 'our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty.' The word points to social propriety and decent appearance, which lesser-honored body parts lack naturally but receive through how we clothe and care for them.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Paul's body metaphor (1 Corinthians 12:23) uses this term to describe body parts that lack natural dignity or attractiveness but receive special care and covering. This illustrates how the church should honor less prominent members with special attention. The translations ('presentability,' 'decoro,' 'bienséance,' 'Anstand') emphasize respectability and propriety. Just as we don't leave the body's less presentable parts exposed, the church should honor its less prominent members generously. 1×
AR["وَقارًا"]·ben["শোভা"]·DE["Anstand"]·EN["presentability"]·FR["bienséance"]·heb["צְנִיעוּת"]·HI["शोभा"]·ID["kesopanan"]·IT["decoro"]·jav["kepatutan"]·KO["아름다움을"]·PT["decência"]·RU["благопристойность"]·ES["decoro"]·SW["ustahivu"]·TR["uygunluk"]·urd["آبرو"]
Related Senses
G2962 1. Lord (divine title) (661×)H0136 1. Lord (divine title) (440×)H0113 1. lord, human superior (249×)G1849 1. authority, power (91×)H6485a 2. Qal: punish, bring judgment (63×)H8198 1. maidservant, female slave (63×)G2962 2. master, lord (human authority) (61×)H0034 1. needy, poor, destitute (61×)H0519 1. female servant, maidservant (56×)H6041 1. poor, needy person (55×)H0113 2. master, owner of servants (49×)H4910 1. Qal: to have dominion, exercise power over (44×)H1800 1. poor, needy (socioeconomic) (38×)H3515 1. heavy, severe, grievous (36×)G4434 1. (34×)G5092 1. honor, esteem, respect (33×)H6485a 4. Qal: visit, attend to, care for (32×)H3513 1. honor / show respect (Piel) (30×)H4910 2. Qal: to rule, govern (administrative authority) (27×)H4513 1. withhold, restrain, hold back (25×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
εὐσχημ-οσύνη, ἡ, gracefulness, elegance, Refs 5th c.BC+; decorum, Refs 4th c.BC+; refinement, Refs; βίου, ῥημάτων, Refs 5th c.BC+. a spurious respectability, Refs __2 of the body, NT; ἡ τοῦ σώματος εὐ. Refs 1st c.BC+ __II proper treatment, adequate maintenance, Refs