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G2163 · Greek · New Testament
εὔφημος
euphemos
Adjective
of good report, well-spoken of, reputable, honorable

Definition

Euphemos means 'of good reputation' or 'well spoken of' — things or persons spoken of with praise and approval. The word gives us the English 'euphemism,' though the NT meaning is straightforwardly positive: those things that have genuine good repute, that are rightly praised and honored. It appears in Philippians 4:8 in Paul's famous catalogue of virtues for meditation.

Usage & Theological Significance

Philippians 4:8 is a masterpiece of virtue ethics: 'whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable [euphemos] — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.' Euphemos describes the things that have earned genuine praise — not PR-managed reputation but authentic honor. The command to meditate on such things is a cognitive strategy for spiritual formation: what we dwell on shapes what we become. The mind filled with things of genuine repute will itself become a mind of genuine honor. This is NT wisdom aligned with Old Testament meditation on Torah.

Key Bible Verses

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable [euphemos] — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
2 Corinthians 6:8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report [euphemia]; genuine, yet regarded as impostors.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Acts 6:3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.
1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

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