Brief Overview of εὐκαίρως (Strong’s G2122: eukaírōs)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words is vital in Biblical studies as it helps uncover the layers of meaning in Scripture and provides insight into the cultural and linguistic context of the early Christian era. The Greek word εὐκαίρως (eukaírōs) is particularly significant because it refers to doing something “at the right time” or “seasonably,” which is essential in understanding themes of divine timing and preparedness in the New Testament. By exploring εὐκαίρως, we gain a deeper appreciation of how early Christians perceived the concept of seizing the right moment, both spiritually and practically, and how this reflects broader themes in ancient Greek culture.

Key Information

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• The Greek Word: εὐκαίρως (eukaírōs) [yoo-KAI-rohs]
• Etymology: Derived from εὖ (eu), meaning “well” or “good,” and καιρός (kairos), meaning “time” or “season.”
• Part of Speech: Adverb; it modifies verbs to indicate the timeliness or appropriateness of an action.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• At the right time
• Seasonably
• Opportunely
• Suitably

Similar Words: The word εὐκαίρως is closely related to εὔκαιρος (eukaíros), which is an adjective meaning “timely” or “well-timed.” While εὔκαιρος describes something that is timely, εὐκαίρως, as an adverb, refers to the manner in which an action is carried out—specifically, that it is done at the right moment. Another related word is κατά καιρόν (kata kairon), which also means “in due time” but lacks the positive nuance implied by εὐκαίρως.

Further Insights:
Morphologically, εὐκαίρως is an adverb formed from the adjective εὔκαιρος. Adverbs in Greek often end in -ως, indicating the manner in which an action occurs. Unlike its adjectival form, εὐκαίρως does not inflect for case, number, or gender, maintaining a consistent form regardless of its syntactical position.

Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
The BDAG lexicon defines εὐκαίρως as “seasonably” or “at the right time.” It often carries the sense of appropriateness in action, suggesting a well-timed response or intervention.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon highlights εὐκαίρως as an adverb indicating that something is done opportunely or at a suitable moment. It is commonly used in both secular and Biblical Greek to denote actions that are well-timed.

Vines:
Vines Expository Dictionary notes that εὐκαίρως is an adverb expressing “opportunely” or “in good time.” It emphasizes actions that align with a favorable moment, maximizing effectiveness.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon provides a broader context for εὐκαίρως, defining it as “at the right time” or “seasonably,” with usage spanning various genres of classical Greek literature to describe actions that occur at a propitious time.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
According to Strong’s Concordance, εὐκαίρως means “conveniently” or “seasonably.” It is used to suggest that actions are well-timed, fitting the circumstances for maximum impact or acceptance.

Related Scripture References

• Mark 6:31: “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure (εὐκαίρως) so much as to eat.”

Classical Usage

Septuagint Usage

Summary of εὐκαίρως (G2122: eukaírōs)

The Greek word εὐκαίρως (eukaírōs) is an adverb meaning “at the right time” or “seasonably.” It is derived from εὔκαιρος (eukaíros), which combines εὖ (“well”) with καιρός (“time”). As an adverb, it describes the timeliness or appropriateness of an action. Lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s offer insights into the word’s usage, emphasizing its importance in expressing the concept of seizing the right moment. Its use in the New Testament and classical Greek literature highlights its relevance for Biblical interpretation and the understanding of ancient Greek perspectives on timing and action.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the concept of acting εὐκαίρως, or at the right moment, was so valued in ancient Greek culture that it often guided their philosophical and medical practices? For instance, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, emphasized acting εὐκαίρως to prevent illness by aligning treatments with the natural seasons and rhythms of the body!