Pronunciation Guide: an-thro-PAR-es-kos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G441: A compound word describing someone who strives to please people rather than God, often carrying a negative connotation of disingenuous service or flattery. This rare New Testament term specifically addresses the motivation behind service, contrasting purely human-oriented approval-seeking with genuine God-honoring devotion.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἄνθρωπος (anthropos, “man/human”) and ἀρέσκω (areskō, “to please”)
• Adjective used primarily in didactic/teaching passages
• Classical Greek origin with significant usage in ethical discussions
• Found in both nominal and adjectival forms in ancient literature

ἀνθρωπάρεσκος Morphology:

• ἀνθρωπάρεσκος (nominative singular masculine) – men-pleasing
• ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι (nominative plural masculine) – men-pleasers
• ἀνθρωπαρέσκῳ (dative singular masculine) – to/for a men-pleaser

Origin & History

The term ἀνθρωπάρεσκος emerged in Hellenistic Greek, particularly in philosophical and ethical discourse. Philo of Alexandria employs it in his work “On the Special Laws” (1st century CE) when discussing the contrast between genuine virtue and its mere appearance. The Septuagint uses related constructions, though not this exact form, in passages addressing false worship and insincere service (Psalm 52:6 LXX).

The early church father Clement of Alexandria, in his “Stromata” (Book 7), develops the concept further, contrasting the ἀνθρωπάρεσκος with the truly godly person who serves with sincerity regardless of human opinion.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• One who acts to gain human approval rather than divine approval
• A person whose service is motivated by desire for human recognition
• Someone who prioritizes human praise over godly integrity

ἀνθρωπάρεσκος Translation Options:

• “Men-pleaser” – Emphasizes the focus on human approval
• “People-pleaser” – Modern equivalent capturing the essence
• “Approval-seeker” – Highlights the motivational aspect
• “Eye-service performer” – Connected to its usage context in Ephesians

Biblical Usage

The term appears explicitly in two key New Testament passages, both in Pauline literature. Its limited but strategic usage emphasizes its significance in addressing fundamental issues of motivation in Christian service. The word appears in contexts discussing slave-master relationships, suggesting its particular relevance to workplace dynamics and authority structures.

• “not by way of eye-service, as [ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι] men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ” Ephesians 6:6
• “whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men… not as [ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι] men-pleasers” Colossians 3:23

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the concept of pleasing one’s superiors (particularly patrons) was deeply ingrained in social structures. The term ἀνθρωπάρεσκος challenged this cultural norm by highlighting the higher loyalty Christians owed to God. This was particularly relevant in the context of slavery, where believers had to navigate dual loyalties to earthly masters and their heavenly Master.

The word carried special significance in Jewish thought, where the tension between serving God and seeking human approval was a recurring theme in rabbinic literature. The Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) warns against serving the master for the sake of receiving a reward, reflecting similar concerns about pure motivation in service.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀνθρωπάρεσκος reveals a crucial theological principle: authentic Christian service flows from a heart devoted to God rather than seeking human approval. This connects to the broader biblical theme of heart motivation versus external appearance, echoing Messiah Yeshua’s teachings about true righteousness versus that of the Pharisees.

The word highlights the fundamental orientation of the believer’s life – either toward God or toward human approval. This dichotomy appears throughout Scripture, from Samuel’s declaration that “man looks at the outward appearance, but יהוה looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) to Yeshua’s warnings about practicing righteousness before men (Matthew 6:1).

Personal Application

Examining our motivations for service remains critically relevant today. In an era of social media and constant public visibility, the temptation to become an ἀνθρωπάρεσκος is perhaps stronger than ever. This word challenges us to examine whether our service, ministry, and daily work are driven by a desire for likes, shares, and human recognition, or by genuine love for God and others.

The antidote to being an ἀνθρωπάρεσκος is cultivating a deep awareness of God’s presence and approval as our primary audience. This transforms our service from a performance into worship, freeing us from the exhausting cycle of seeking human validation.

Related Words

• δουλοπρεπής (douloprepēs) “slave-befitting” – Describes behavior appropriate to servants, contrasting with the false service of the men-pleaser. See G1398
• ὀφθαλμοδουλεία (opthalmodouleia) “eye-service” – Service performed only when being watched. See G3787
• εὐάρεστος (euarestos) “well-pleasing” – Used positively of pleasing God rather than men. See G2101
• ὑποκριτής (hypokritēs) “hypocrite” – One who acts with false motives, related to men-pleasing behavior. See G5273

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀνθρωπάρεσκος was so significant that early Christian baptismal ceremonies often included a specific renunciation of being a “men-pleaser” alongside other worldly behaviors.
• Modern psychological research on “approval addiction” and people-pleasing behavior closely parallels the ancient wisdom contained in this Greek term, showing its enduring relevance to human nature.
• The word appears in ancient Greek business contracts, where employers warned against workers who were ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι – suggesting the term had practical applications in workplace ethics beyond religious contexts.

Remember This

ἀνθρωπάρεσκος stands as a powerful reminder that true service flows from a heart singularly devoted to God, not from a desire for human recognition or approval.