2157. euschémosuné
Lexical Summary
euschémosuné: Decency, propriety, respectability

Original Word: εὐσχημοσύνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: euschémosuné
Pronunciation: yoo-skay-mos-oo'-nay
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-skhay-mos-oo'-nay)
KJV: comeliness
NASB: presentable
Word Origin: [from G2158 (εὐσχήμων - prominent)]

1. decorousness

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
comeliness.

From euschemon; decorousness -- comeliness.

see GREEK euschemon

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from euschémón
Definition
comeliness
NASB Translation
presentable (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2157: εὐσχημοσύνη

εὐσχημοσύνη, ἐυσχημοσυνης, (εὐσχήμων, which see), charm or elegance of figure, external beauty, decorum, modesty, seemliness (Xenophon, Plato, Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch); of external charm, comeliness: 1 Corinthians 12:23.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Conceptual Scope

Strong’s Greek 2157 conveys the idea of attractive propriety—an outward and inward “good form” that commends itself to others. The term speaks to the fitting dignity or modesty that marks people and practices shaped by the character of God. It moves beyond mere manners to the moral beauty that adorns holy living.

Biblical Context: 1 Corinthians 12:23

Paul employs the noun once in the New Testament when describing the interdependence of Christ’s body: “and the parts that we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty” (1 Corinthians 12:23). Here “special modesty” (Strong’s 2157) refers to the careful respect the church must show to members who appear weak or unseemly. Rather than tolerating social hierarchies imported from the surrounding culture, believers clothe these brothers and sisters with deliberate esteem so that “there may be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25).

Theology of Modesty and Honor in the Body of Christ

1. Reflecting God’s design. Just as the Creator fashioned the human body with parts that require covering for dignity, He also orders His spiritual body so that every member receives appropriate honor. Modesty, therefore, is not shame but the God-given means of protecting value.
2. Countercultural witness. In Corinthian society, public honor belonged to the elite. Paul subverts this value system: those deemed least are granted amplified respect by Spirit-led believers (compare James 2:1-7).
3. Unity through mutual deference. When the church practices “special modesty,” internal fractures heal, evangelistic credibility strengthens, and Christ’s sufficiency is displayed (John 17:21-23).

Historical and Cultural Setting

Greco-Roman life revolved around status signals—dress codes, banquet seating, and public recognition. Honor was a limited commodity zealously guarded by the privileged. By calling the church to bestow “greater honor” and “special modesty” on its humbler members, Paul replaces competitive honor-seeking with sacrificial honor-giving. Such inversion would have been startling to first-century hearers and served as a living apologetic for the gospel’s transformative power.

Related Vocabulary and Scriptural Parallels

Though Strong’s 2157 appears only once, its cognates illuminate the same theme:
• The adjective found in Mark 15:43; Acts 13:50; Acts 17:12; and 1 Corinthians 7:35 portrays persons or conduct that is “prominent” or “proper.”
• The adverb translated “decently” in Romans 13:13 and “properly” in 1 Thessalonians 4:12 calls believers to a lifestyle consistent with daylight and respectable before outsiders.

Together these verses trace a biblical pattern: honor and decency are fused with courage (Joseph of Arimathea), perseverance under persecution (Acts 13:50), evangelistic influence (Acts 17:12), undistracted devotion (1 Corinthians 7:35), moral purity (Romans 13:13), and credible witness in daily work (1 Thessalonians 4:12).

Practical Ministry Significance

• Pastoral care: Congregations should identify and elevate members who are overlooked because of poverty, disability, age, or social standing. Assigning meaningful service roles and celebrating their contributions enacts Paul’s instruction.
• Corporate worship: Liturgical practices—such as testimonies, intercessions, or distribution of resources—can demonstrate “special modesty” by centering on the needs of the less visible.
• Discipleship: Teaching on biblical modesty must expand beyond dress codes to a holistic ethos that prizes humility, honors God’s image in every person, and resists the world’s status ladder.
• Outreach: When the church tangibly values the marginalized, it offers a persuasive picture of the kingdom where “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16).

Conclusion

Strong’s 2157 captures a distinctive Christian ethic: modesty that dignifies. Rooted in the gospel, it calls believers to adorn the faith with actions that grant heightened honor to those the world discounts, thereby manifesting the beauty of Christ’s unified body before a watching world.

Forms and Transliterations
ευσχημοσυνην ευσχημοσύνην εὐσχημοσύνην euschemosunen euschēmosunēn euschemosynen euschemosýnen euschēmosynēn euschēmosýnēn
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Corinthians 12:23 N-AFS
GRK: ἀσχήμονα ἡμῶν εὐσχημοσύνην περισσοτέραν ἔχει
NAS: much more presentable,
KJV: [parts] have more abundant comeliness.
INT: unpresentable [parts] of us decorum more abundant have

Strong's Greek 2157
1 Occurrence


εὐσχημοσύνην — 1 Occ.

2156
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