Properly (2156) euschemonos by Greek Word Studies

Properly (2156) (euschemonos from eu = good + schema = appearance) is an adjective which means pertaining to being proper in behavior. Becomingly, respectably, in a becoming manner, decently, with propriety. The idea is that which is proper with the implication of that which is pleasing. Synonymous ideas include decorously (marked by propriety and good taste), honestly and orderly, in a seemly manner. Euschemonos - 3x in the NT (No uses in Lxx) - Ro 13:13 1Co 14:40 1Th 4:12-note To behave properly ("behave decently" NIV, "walk honorably") is to live in a way that pleases God. How do we behave properly? Such a God pleasing conduct begins back in (Ro 12:1-note) with a "holistic" (all of one's self) presentation of one's self, followed by and manifests by an transformation or spiritual metamorphosis as it were (Ro 12:2-note), as evidenced by one's outward behavior in conformity with the practical exhortations found in Romans 12:3-note through Romans 13:9-note. And remember, when we speak behave properly, we are speaking of the general tenor and direction of one's life, not perfection; i.e., behave properly does not mean we will "behave perfectly." This caveat is not meant to give us an "out" or an excuse to behave licentiously, but is simply to keep us from utter frustration in those times when we do have ethical/moral failure. Remember the only Man to behave properly with perfection was the Man Christ Jesus. R C H Lenski cautions that... this decorous conduct of the Christians is to be utterly sincere and not like that of worldly men who act respectably when they are seen but damnably when they think no one sees or will find out. (Lenski New Testament Commentary– The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans) As an aside, in a sense the natural anti-God, selfish, self-focused behavior Paul delineated in Romans 1 (cp Ro 1:29, 30-note) is now supernaturally reversed in Romans 12-13 wherein Paul instructs "Light people" how to no longer live as "night people!" BE WHAT YOU ARE! Wuest elaborates on euschemonos that writing that The idea of honesty (as translated by the KJV - cp Ro 13:13KJV) is seen in the fact that Paul is exhorting the saints to give an honest impression of themselves to the world. They should conduct themselves in a manner befitting their high station in life, as saints of the Most High God. Their outward expression should conform to their inner regenerated being. Be what you are! (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) As in the day - Just as people walk and act during the day when everyone can see their actions. This is in contrast to those who walk in the dark, where no one sees their actions and thus they feel no restraints. In Jn 3:19, 20 Jesus emphasized that those who perform evil deeds like the cover of darkness (and hate the exposure of light), whereas those who perform good deeds willingly come into the full light of day. Paul's point is that although believers are still living in the "night" of this present evil age, they should choose not to walk as "night walkers", but as "day walkers", those who walk as if their actions were in full light and subject to full disclosure, so to speak. Dear Christian friend, we belong to Christ, not to the powers of darkness! As believers we are LIGHT PEOPLE, "all sons of light and sons of day...not of night nor of darkness" (1Th 5:5-note), and thus should behave accordingly, not imitating the NIGHT PEOPLE, those who do not know God or Christ and are only doing "what comes naturally" when they behave improperly. As mentioned in previous discussions, Paul piles up time phrases in Romans 13:11-12 (the time...already the hour...now salvation is nearer...then when…the night is almost gone…and the day is at hand) which should motivate us to seek to behave properly as in the day and not in the night. By way of application: Where have you walked today...this past week...in the light or in the darkness? If you have had what I call "darkness detours", you need to humble yourself and confess and repent and walk forth in newness of life in increasing dependence upon and surrender to God's empowering Spirit and His transforming grace. William Newell notes that... Men choose the night for their revels (wild parties, clamorous celebrations); but our night is past, for we are all "children of the light and of the day" (1Th 5:5-note). Let us therefore do only what is fit for the light and for the day. We belong to that "day" which our Lord's coming will usher in, and that shortly! Therefore, let us walk as those already in the daylight of that day! Not in riotings and drunkennesses-Nocturnal revels such as characterized the Roman Empire of Paul's day, and the myriad drunkennesses of modern "night parties" are in view here. How needful the warning to keep clear of these things in this hour when the time of "the iniquity of the end" (Ezekiel 21:25,29) is drawing nigh! Young people, rushing on to damnation, with "dates" beginning at 10 or 11 or even midnight, and ending perhaps at dawn, know well what "revellings and drunkennesses" are. Let the saints in horror shun them! (Romans: Verse by Verse) Paul now presents three "negative" couplets, which give the implication that one sin leads to another and that committing sin does not bring rest to the spirit but rather dissatisfaction that betrays itself by finding fault with others, as though they are responsible (most alcoholics will end up blaming everyone -- especially those nearest them -- but never themselves!) The unsaved sinner tries hard to find a scapegoat and tragically modern psychology aids his quest for a "phantom demon" by entertaining numerous "root" causes for the problem (except for the real root cause, the sin virus we all inherited from Adam! Ro 5:12-note) John MacArthur writes that... The Christian who is not living a holy and obedient life is a Christian who does not comprehend the significance of the Lord’s return. On the other hand, the believer who understands the coming judgment and is daily looking for His Lord to appear is a believer whose overriding purpose is to please and honor His Lord by consistent holy living. (Ed: In other words, what one is looking for, radically impacts what he or she is living for! Are you eagerly anticipating the return of your Bridegroom at any moment?) (MacArthur, J: Romans 9-16. Moody) NOT IN CAROUSING (KJV "rioting") AND DRUNKENNESS: me komois kai methais: (Acts 2:15; 1Thes 5:17-note; 2Pe 2:13-note) (cf. Gal 5:21-note; 1Pe 4:3-note).(Proverbs 23:20; Isaiah 22:12,13; 28:7,8; Amos 6:4, 5,6; Matthew 24:48, 49, 50, 51; Luke 16:19; Luke 17:27,28; 21:34; 1Corinthians 6:10; Gal 5:21-note; Ephesians 5:18-note; 1Pe 2:11-note; 1Pe 4:3, 4, 5-notes) Although there is no adversative conjunction such as "but", note that Paul is clearly contrasting the way of life of a believer (LIGHT PEOPLE, DAY WALKERS) with the way of life that is perfectly acceptable and even expected by the unregenerate (NIGHT PEOPLE, NIGHT WALKERS). He conveys this contrast with a series of negatives arranged in three pairs, such that the members of each pair signify somewhat similar qualities. As Lenski reasons... Three pairs of negative datives of manner throw the positive adverb "decorously" ("properly" NAS) into bold relief. The darker the background, the sharper the white image set against, it. Wayne Barber discusses what it looks like to not behave properly... All of the phrases that Paul mentions here are just symptoms of a person being out of control. They are symptoms of a person who has made provision for his flesh. If these are in your life, it is very obvious you don’t understand Ro 12:1-note, Ro 12:2-note. No wonder! You haven’t figured out yet the message of grace. Grace is God’s (supernatural power) enabling you to do what He commands you to do. The key is that when you must learn to surrender to Him, then Christ takes over. Then it is His life in you which is now living through you and the garment of the lifestyle (Ed: Garment ~ what others see in your words, actions, attitudes) is that which is produced by His Spirit. This is not something you can do yourself. You must learn to not make provision for your flesh, but make provision for Him (Ro 13:14). Leon Morris observes that... All six of these vices stem from self-will; they are all the outreach of a determined selfishness that seeks only one’s own pleasure. As Barrett puts it, All these practices constitute a failure in love, which ‘works no harm to the neighbor’ (Ro 13:10-note). It is not without its interest that Paul is writing these words to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Ro 1:7-note). We should not think that first-century Christians came from the most upright and honorable sections of society (see 1Co 6:9, 10, 11 with its phrase “that is what some of you were”). Rather, the Gospel took and transformed many who were the dregs of society. Paul is mindful of this and warns against relapse. (Morris, L. The Epistle to the Romans. W. B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_13_notes_(pt3).htm#Properly

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Properly (2156) euschemonos

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