Brief Overview of ἀνένδεκτος (Strong’s G418)

The Greek adjective ἀνένδεκτος (anendektos) means “unacceptable” or “not to be endured.” It is derived from the prefix ἀν- (an-), meaning “not,” and ἔνδεκτος (endektos), meaning “acceptable” or “endurable.” The term describes something that is not tolerated or is deemed unacceptable.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνένδεκτος (G418) appears in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 11:16. The term is used to describe practices or behaviors that are considered unacceptable or not to be tolerated within the context of the church. Paul uses the term to address issues of propriety and order in worship practices, emphasizing that certain behaviors are not acceptable and should be corrected.

The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides additional context by defining ἀνένδεκτος as “unacceptable” or “intolerable.” BDAG highlights its use in contexts where certain actions or behaviors are considered beyond the bounds of acceptability or propriety, particularly in social or religious settings. The lexicon also notes that the term reflects a judgment about what is appropriate or permissible.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this definition by describing ἀνένδεκτος as “unacceptable” or “not to be tolerated.” LSJ provides context for its use in classical Greek literature to denote things that are deemed unsuitable or intolerable, aligning with its biblical application to describe actions or practices that do not meet the required standards.

In summary, ἀνένδεκτος primarily means “unacceptable” or “not to be endured,” indicating something that is considered intolerable or improper. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing unacceptable behaviors or practices in biblical and classical Greek literature.