A Greek noun meaning obedience, compliance, submission. From hypo (under) and akouō (to hear) — literally 'hearing under,' meaning to hear and place oneself under what is heard. It implies attentive listening that leads to responsive action — not mere compliance, but obedience born from truly hearing and understanding.
The etymology — 'hearing under' — reveals biblical obedience as a posture of attentive listening. The Hebrew shema ('hear!') carries the same dual meaning: to hear is to obey. Paul frames the entire Christian life between 'the obedience of faith' (Romans 1:5) and 'the obedience of faith' (Romans 16:26) — faith's bookends are obedience. Christ Himself 'learned obedience through what he suffered' (Hebrews 5:8) — even the Son experienced obedience as a costly, experiential journey, not an automatic setting. Paul contrasts Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience (Romans 5:19): one man's disobedience broke the world; one man's obedience redeemed it. Biblical obedience is not robotic submission but wholehearted, trust-based responsiveness to the God who has proven Himself faithful.