Original Word: εὐθύς
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: euthus
Pronunciation: yoo-thoos'
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-thoos')
KJV: anon, by and by, forthwith, immediately, straightway
NASB: immediately, straight, right, early, just then
Word Origin: [perhaps from G2095 (εὖ - well) and G5087 (τίθημι - laid)]

1. straight
2. (literally) level
3. (figuratively) true
4. (adverbially of time) at once

by and by, forthwith, immediately, straightway.

Perhaps from eu and tithemi; straight, i.e. (literally) level, or (figuratively) true; adverbially (of time) at once -- anon, by and by, forthwith, immediately, straightway.

see GREEK eu

see GREEK tithemi

2117 euthýs – properly, straight, without unnecessary zig-zags (detours); upright (not crooked, bent); (figuratively) without delay; acting immediately, "straightway," taking a direct path from "God's point A" to "God's point B" which avoids unnecessary delays (deviations).

[This root (euthy-) often correlates in the LXX to the OT term, yāsar.]

Word Origin
a prim. word used as an adjective or adverb
Definition
straight, straightway
NASB Translation
early (1), immediately (52), just then (1), right (2), straight (6).

STRONGS NT 2117: εὐθύς

εὐθύς, εὐθεῖα, εὐθύ, the Sept. for יָשָׁר (from Pindar down), straight;

a. properly, straight, level: of a way (Matthew 3:3); Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; Acts 9:11; εἰς εὐθεῖαν (L T Tr WH εἰς εὐθείας), namely, ὁδόν (an ellipsis common also in classical Greek cf. Winer's Grammar, § 64, 5), Luke 3:5; εὐθεῖα ὁδός the straight, the right way, is figuratively used of true religion as a rule of life leading to its goal, i. e. to salvation, 2 Peter 2:15; αἱ ὁδοί κυρίου, the right and saving purposes of God, Acts 13:10 (Song of the Three Children, verse 3).

b. tropically, straightforward, upright, true, sincere (as often in secular authors): καρδία, Acts 8:21 (εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδία often in the Psalms, as Psalm 7:11; Psalm 31:11 (); ()).

STRONGS NT 2117: εὐθύς (adv)εὐθύς (adv), adverb (from Pindar down), equivalent to εὐθέως, with which it is often interchanged in the manuscripts (see εὐθέως); straightway, immediately, forthwith: Matthew 3:16; Matthew 13:20; John 13:32, etc. (Cf. Phryn. ed. Lob., p. 145.)

Concept of Straightness in Scripture

From Genesis onward, righteousness is pictured as a level, undeviating course in contrast to twisting paths of sin (for example, Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 40:3-4). The eight New Testament uses of Strong’s 2117 draw on this rich background, portraying moral integrity, divine guidance, and the uncompromised gospel.

Prophetic Foundation and the Messianic Forerunner

Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; and Luke 3:4 all cite Isaiah 40:3, where John the Baptist exhorts Israel: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him”. The call is not civil engineering but spiritual realignment—repentance that removes obstacles to faith. Luke 3:5 expands the image: “The crooked ways shall become straight.” Thus 2117 frames the opening of the New Covenant era with a summons to unbending loyalty to God’s coming King.

Rightness of Heart and Apostolic Confrontation

Acts 8:21 exposes Simon the magician: “Your heart is not right before God”. Here 2117 diagnoses inner misalignment; external profession cannot substitute for sincere, Spirit-wrought uprightness. Likewise, 2 Peter 2:15 warns that false teachers “have left the straight way,” linking doctrinal error with moral apostasy. The word therefore tests both heart and teaching.

Straight Paths and Evangelistic Authority

Paul’s ministry illustrates how 2117 safeguards the gospel mission. In Acts 13:10 he rebukes Elymas for “perverting the straight ways of the Lord”. The apostle defends a clear, unhindered road for Gentile salvation, insisting that sorcery, deceit, or legalism must not bend it. The same principle guides present-day witness: anything that distorts grace must be confronted.

Historical Note: The Street Called Straight

Acts 9:11 situates Saul’s conversion on “Straight Street” in Damascus. Archaeology identifies this east-west thoroughfare (Decumanus Maximus), still discernible in the modern city. The literal roadway becomes symbolic: the persecutor will soon walk a new, upright path as Paul the apostle.

Ethical and Pastoral Implications

1. Personal Integrity: Believers examine whether their “hearts are right” (Acts 8:21) rather than merely appearing orthodox.
2. Doctrinal Fidelity: Teachers guard the “straight ways of the Lord” (Acts 13:10), refusing innovations that deviate from apostolic truth.
3. Preparatory Repentance: Gospel proclamation, like John’s, levels pride and fills valleys of despair so Christ may be received without obstruction.
4. Perseverance: 2 Peter 2:15 cautions that deviation begins with a subtle turn; ongoing submission to Scripture keeps the course true.

The Straight Way in Christian Ministry

• Preaching: Present Christ plainly, relying on the Spirit rather than rhetorical detours.
• Discipleship: Model transparent obedience; crooked ethics undermine witness.
• Church Discipline: Address false doctrine promptly, following the apostolic example.
• Mission Strategy: Remove cultural or traditional stumbling blocks that obscure the straightforward message of grace.

Eschatological Outlook

The straight path motif culminates in Revelation’s picture of a city whose “street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass” (Revelation 21:21). The believer’s present alignment anticipates the eternal, unbending rectitude of the New Jerusalem, where every heart, way, and street is forever straight before God.

ευθέα ευθεια ευθεία εὐθεῖα ευθείαι Ευθειαν ευθείαν εὐθείαν Εὐθεῖαν ευθειας ευθείας εὐθείας ευθείς ευθειών ευθείων ευθέσι ευθέσιν ευθέων ευθύ ευθύς eutheia eutheîa eutheian eutheían Eutheîan eutheias eutheíasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts