The Greek noun epainos (ἔπαινος) means praise, commendation, or approval. It appears 11 times in the New Testament and spans both human and divine commendation. The theological weight lies in the contrast between human epainos (which is transient) and divine epainos (which is eternal).
Romans 2:29 delivers the decisive statement: "whose praise (epainos) is not from men, but from God." The circumcision of the heart — not outward ritual compliance — is what earns divine commendation. Paul's consistent ethic is to seek God's epainos rather than human approval (Galatians 1:10). Philippians 4:8 calls believers to meditate on whatever is praiseworthy (epainetai). At the final judgment, the ultimate epainos will be Christ's commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).