Brief Overview of αἰσχύνω (G153)

The Greek word αἰσχύνω (aischýnō) means “to shame” or “to be ashamed.” It describes the action of causing someone to feel disgrace or dishonor, or experiencing a sense of shame oneself. This term can refer to the act of making someone feel ashamed or to the feeling of being embarrassed or dishonored.

Detailed Overview

1. Strong’s Concordance:

• G153 αἰσχύνω (aischýnō): Strong’s defines this term as “to shame” or “to be ashamed.” It is used to describe the act of causing someone to feel disgrace or dishonor, as well as the feeling of being ashamed oneself. The term is applied in contexts where there is a sense of moral or social discomfort resulting from actions or behavior (e.g., Romans 6:21; 2 Timothy 1:8).

1. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• According to Thayer’s, αἰσχύνω means “to shame” or “to be ashamed.” Thayer’s elaborates that the term can refer to both causing someone to experience a sense of disgrace or dishonor and to the feeling of being embarrassed or dishonored oneself. It is used in contexts where actions lead to moral discomfort or a sense of ethical failure (e.g., Romans 6:21; 2 Timothy 1:8). Thayer’s highlights the term’s use in expressing both active and passive senses of shame.

1. Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon:

• BDB describes αἰσχύνω as “to shame” or “to be ashamed.” The lexicon emphasizes the term’s use in referring to the act of causing someone to feel disgrace or dishonor, as well as the state of feeling embarrassed or dishonored oneself. It reflects a sense of moral or social discomfort and is applied in contexts where shame is a key aspect (e.g., Romans 6:21; 2 Timothy 1:8). BDB’s explanation underscores the term’s dual application in causing and experiencing shame.

1. Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon:

• The LSJ Lexicon defines αἰσχύνω as “to shame” or “to be ashamed.” It notes that this term describes the action of making someone feel dishonored or the feeling of being embarrassed oneself. In classical and New Testament Greek, it is used to convey both the act of causing shame and the personal experience of feeling shame or dishonor (e.g., Romans 6:21; 2 Timothy 1:8). LSJ highlights the term’s application in expressing shame in both active and passive senses.

In summary, αἰσχύνω encompasses the concepts of causing someone to feel shame and experiencing shame oneself, reflecting a sense of disgrace or moral discomfort, as used in both classical and New Testament contexts.