Original Word: ἐνώπιον
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: enópios
Pronunciation: eh-NO-pee-os
Phonetic Spelling: (en-o'-pee-on)
KJV: before, in the presence (sight) of, to
NASB: before, sight, presence, front
Word Origin: [neuter of a compound of G1722 (ἔν - among) and a derivative of G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι - appearing)]

1. in the face of
{literally or figuratively}

before, in the presence of, to.

Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of (literally or figuratively) -- before, in the presence (sight) of, to.

see GREEK en

see GREEK optanomai

1799 enṓpion – literally, "in the eye (of God)," used for how all things happen under God's watch, i.e. in keeping with His plan built on His absolute knowledge.

Word Origin
from en and óps (the eye, face)
Definition
in sight of, before
NASB Translation
before (46), front (1), presence (20), sight (22).

STRONGS NT 1799: ἐνώπιον

ἐνώπιον, neuter of the adjective ἐνώπιος, ἐνώπιον (equivalent to ὁ ἐν ὠπι ὤν, one who is in sight, Theocritus, 22, 152; the Sept. Exodus 33:11; ἄρτοι ἐνωπιοι, Exodus 25:29); used adverbially it gets the force of a preposition (Winers Grammar, § 54, 6; Buttmann, 319 (274)), and is joined with the genitive (hardly to be found so in any secular authors), before, in sight of anyone; time and again in the Sept. for בֲּעֵינֵי and לִפְנֵי, also for נֶגֶד and לְנֶגֶד; among N. T. writings used most frequently by Luke and the author of the Book of Revelation, but never by Matthew and Mark. It is used:

1. of occupied place: in that place which is before, or over against, opposite, anyone and toward which another turns his eyes;

a. properly: εἶναι ἐνώπιον τίνος, Revelation 1:4; Revelation 7:15; (Revelation 14:5 Rec.)); so that εἶναι must be mentally supplied before ἐνώπιον, Revelation 4:5; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:13; after στῆναι, Acts 10:30; ἑστηκεναι, Revelation 7:9; Revelation 8:2; Revelation 11:4; Revelation 12:4; Revelation 20:12; παρεστηκέναι, Luke 1:19; Acts 4:10; ἱσταναι, Acts 6:6; καθῆσθαι, Revelation 11:16; θύρα ἀνεῳγμένη ἐνώπιον τίνος, equivalent to a door opened for one (see θύρα, c. γ. (Buttmann, 173 (150))), Revelation 3:8; after verbs signifying motion to a place: τιθέναι, Luke 5:18; ἀναβαίνειν, Revelation 8:4; βάλλειν, Revelation 4:10; πίπτειν or πεσεῖν (of worshippers), Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:8; (Revelation 7:11); προσκυνεῖν, Luke 4:7; Revelation 3:9; Revelation 15:4 (cf. Buttmann, as above; 147 (129); Winers Grammar, 214 (201)).

b. in metaphorical phrases after verbs signifying motion: βαστάζειν τό ὄνομα ... ἐνώπιον ἐθνῶν (see βαστάζω, 3), Acts 9:15; σκάνδαλα βάλλειν ἐνώπιον τίνος, to cast stumbling-blocks (incitements to sin) before one, Revelation 2:14; after προέρχεσθαι, to go before one like a herald, Luke 1:17; (after προπορεύεσθαι, Luke 1:76 WH). in phrases in which something is supposed to be done by one while standing or appearing in the presence of another (cf. Buttmann, 176 (153)): after ἀρνεῖσθαι, Luke 12:9 (Lachmann ἔμπροσθεν); (ἀπαρνεῖσθαι, ibid.); ὁμολογεῖν, Revelation 3:5 (Rec. ἐξομολογήσομαί); κατηγορεῖν, Revelation 12:10; (ᾄδειν, Revelation 14:3); καυχᾶσθαι, to come before God and glory, 1 Corinthians 1:29; δικαιοῦν ἑαυτόν, Luke 16:15.

c. equivalent to apud (with); in the soul of anyone: χαρά γίνεται ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀγγέλων, Luke 15:10 (others understand this of God's joy, by reverent suggestion described as in the presence of the angels; cf. ἐν οὐρανῷ, Luke 15:7); ἔσται σοι δόξα ἐνώπιον τῶν συνανακειμένων, Luke 14:10 (others take this outwardly; cf. 2 below); after verbs of remembering and forgetting: εἰς μνημόσυνον ἐνώπιον (L T Tr WH ἔμπροσθεν) τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 10:4; μνησθῆναι ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 10:31; Revelation 16:19; ἐπιλελησμένον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, Luke 12:6 (cf. Buttmann, § 134, 3).

2. before one's eyes; in one's presence and sight or hearing;

a. properly: φαγεῖν ἐνώπιον τίνος, Luke 24:43; this same phrase signifies a living together in Luke 13:26 (2 Samuel 11:13; 1 Kings 1:25); σημεῖα ποιεῖν, John 20:30; ἀνακρίνειν, Luke 23:14; ἐνώπιον πολλῶν μαρτύρων, 1 Timothy 6:12; add Luke (Luke 5:25); ; Acts 19:9, 19; Acts 27:35; (1 Timothy 5:20); 3 John 1:6; Revelation 3:5; (Revelation 13:13; Revelation 14:10).

b. metaphorically: πίστιν ἔχε ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, have faith satisfied with this that it is not hidden from the sight of God, Romans 14:22; ἁμαρτάνειν ἐνώπιον τίνος (see ἁμαρτάνω at the end), Luke 15:18, 21; especially in affirmations, oaths, adjurations: ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ κυρίου, etc., Galatians 1:20; 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:13; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:1. Hence, those are said to do something in the presence of one who have him present to their thought, who set him before their mind's eye: προωρώμην (πρωρωμην L T Tr WH) τόν κύριον ἐνώπιον μου, Acts 2:25; ταπεινοῦσθαι ἐνώπιον τοῦ κυρίου, James 4:10 (Sir. 2:17).

c. at the instance of anyone, by his power and authority: Revelation 13:12, 14; Revelation 19:20.

d. before the eyes of one, i. e. if he turns his eyes thither: Hebrews 4:13 (where οὐκ ἀφανής ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ is explained by the following γυμνά ... τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ; cf. Job 26:6 γυμνός ὁ ᾅδης ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, before his look, to his view).

e. before one i. e. he looking on and judging, in one's judgment (Winers Grammar, 32; Buttmann, 172 (150); § 133, 14): ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεί λῆρος, Luke 24:11 (cf. Greek ἡρακλειδη λῆρος πάντα δοκεῖ εἶναι); so especially ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ κυρίου, after the following words: τά ἀρεστά, 1 John 3:22; βδέλυγμα, Luke 16:15; δίκαιος, Luke 1:6 (T Tr WH ἐναντίον); Acts 4:19; δικαιοῦσθαι, Romans 3:20; εὐάρεστος, Hebrews 13:21; εὐθύς, Acts 8:21 Rec.; καλόν, ἀπόδεκτον, 1 Timothy 2:3; 1 Timothy 5:4; Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; μέγας, Luke 1:15; πολυτελές, 1 Peter 3:4; πεπληρωμένος, Revelation 3:2; ἀρέσκειν, Acts 6:5 (Deuteronomy 1:23 (Alex.); 2 Samuel 3:36; (Winers Grammar, § 33, f.)); in the sight of God i. e. God looking on and approving: Luke 1:75; Acts 10:33; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 7:12. in the sight of God, or with God: εὑρίσκειν χάριν (חֵן מָצָא often in the O. T.), to be approved by God, please him, Acts 7:46.

Overview of Usage

The phrase translated “before” or “in the presence of” occurs ninety-five times in the Greek New Testament, spanning narrative, epistle, and apocalyptic literature. Its consistent idea is spatial or relational nearness that places a person, event, or offering under immediate observation or jurisdiction of another—most frequently God, Christ, or heavenly beings, but also human authorities and assembled believers.

Standing Before God

Luke begins with the promise that John the Baptist “will be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15). The same chapter describes believers “serving Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days” (Luke 1:75). Paul echoes this in Romans 3:20: “No one will be justified in His sight by works of the law,” underscoring divine omniscience and the need for grace. Hebrews 4:13 intensifies the thought: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight, but everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

From Genesis onward, God’s people have lived coram Deo—under His gaze. The New Testament expands the theme, presenting believers as already positioned before God through Christ (Ephesians 1:4) and destined to appear there bodily at the resurrection (Revelation 7:9).

Standing Before Human Authorities

Pilate tells the Sanhedrin, “You brought this man before me” (Luke 23:14). Peter and John reply to the council, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God” (Acts 4:19), reminding us that earthly tribunals are secondary to the divine court. Paul’s commission foretold that he would “bear My name before Gentiles and kings” (Acts 9:15), a prophecy fulfilled throughout Acts.

Standing Before the Church

Communal discernment happens openly. The seven were chosen “before the whole congregation” (Acts 6:5) and ordained with prayer (Acts 6:6). Elders who persist in sin are to be rebuked “in the presence of all, so that the rest will stand in fear” (1 Timothy 5:20). Such transparency nurtures accountability and purity.

Angelic and Heavenly Scenes

Worship scenes in Revelation repeatedly place worshippers “before the throne.” Twenty-four elders fall down “in the presence of the One seated on the throne” (Revelation 4:10). The martyred multitude stands “before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). Even judgment is described spatially: “The books were opened, and the dead were judged according to their deeds… before the throne” (Revelation 20:12). Heaven’s liturgy is thus portrayed as continual, conscious awareness of God’s face.

Eschatological Judgment

Future reckoning is certain: “We will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10). 2 Timothy 4:1 roots pastoral charge in this reality: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.” Revelation intensifies the warning, depicting the worshippers of the beast drinking “the wine of God’s wrath… in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:10).

Ethical and Pastoral Implications

Paul insists on transparent ministry: “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not distort the word of God, but in the sight of God we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience” (2 Corinthians 4:2). Integrity flows from awareness that every word and deed unfolds before God. Likewise, James exhorts, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10).

Historical Roots in the Septuagint

The Old Testament regularly portrays priests serving “before the Lord” (for example, Exodus 28:30). The Greek translators employed the same term to render Hebrew phrases like lip̱nê YHWH, providing a linguistic bridge into New Testament theology. Thus the temple vocabulary of presence becomes universalized; through Christ, all believers serve as a holy priesthood “offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” (1 Peter 2:5).

Christological Significance

Jesus lives perpetually “in God’s presence for us” (Hebrews 7:25). His earthly ministry embodied perfect obedience under the Father’s gaze (John 8:29). Resurrection appearances verified His identity “in the presence of the disciples” (John 20:30). Ultimately, believers’ hope is to be presented “before His glorious presence without blemish and with great joy” (Jude 24).

Ministry Applications Today

1. Worship: Corporate gatherings should cultivate consciousness of God’s immediate presence, modeling the heavenly scenes of Revelation.
2. Preaching and Teaching: Messages are delivered before God first, then people (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
3. Ethics: Personal holiness is motivated not by human applause but by the fact that “everything exposed by the light becomes visible” (Ephesians 5:13).
4. Pastoral Care: Discipline conducted openly yet lovingly mirrors apostolic practice, promoting reverent fear (1 Timothy 5:20).
5. Mission: Evangelism involves bringing the nations before God’s throne (Revelation 7:9), anticipating the consummation of history.

Living and ministering “in His presence” infuses every task with eternal significance and guards the believer with joyous sobriety, knowing that the One who sees all also supplies grace “to equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight” (Hebrews 13:21).

ενώπια ενωπιον ενώπιον ενώπιόν ενώπίον ἐνώπιον ἐνώπιόν ενώπιος ενωπίους ενωπίω enopion enōpion enṓpion enṓpiónInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts