Understanding εἰλικρίνεια (eilikrineia) Strong’s G1505: The Divine Sincerity That Purifies Hearts and Transforms Character

Pronunciation Guide: eye-lee-kree-NIE-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1505: Εἰλικρίνεια (eilikrineia) refers to sincerity, purity, and moral integrity that is unmixed with ulterior motives or hidden agendas. It describes a quality of character that is transparent, genuine, and free from deceit. This word conveys the concept of being “tested by sunlight” – revealing no hidden flaws when examined in the clearest light.

Etymology and Morphology

• Feminine noun
• Derived from the adjective εἰλικρινής (eilikrinēs, G1506)
• Composed of εἵλη (heilē, “sunlight”) and κρίνω (krinō, “to judge, distinguish”)
• Primarily used in epistolary and teaching sections of the New Testament
• Relatively rare in the New Testament, appearing only twice

Εἰλικρίνεια Morphology:

• εἰλικρίνεια (nominative singular) – sincerity/purity
• εἰλικρινείας (genitive singular) – of sincerity/purity
• εἰλικρινείᾳ (dative singular) – in/with sincerity/purity

Origin & History

The etymology of εἰλικρίνεια provides a vivid picture of its meaning. The first component, εἵλη (heilē), refers to the bright, warm light of the sun. The second component comes from κρίνω (krinō), meaning “to judge or distinguish.” When combined, the word paints an image of something held up to the sunlight for thorough examination, where any impurity would become immediately visible. In ancient times, merchants would use sunlight to detect flaws in fabric or pottery – only items that passed this test of transparency were considered “εἰλικρινής.”

In classical Greek literature, Plato used the related adjective εἰλικρινής in “The Republic” to describe pure, unmixed philosophical ideas. Aristotle employed it in “Nicomachean Ethics” when discussing pure and unadulterated virtues. The concept carried significant weight in Greek philosophical thinking, representing the ideal of moral and intellectual purity. By the time of the New Testament era, this word group had come to embody the highest standard of integrity and authenticity in both thought and conduct.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Unmixed purity – the state of being free from any foreign or adulterating substance
• Transparent sincerity – genuineness that invites scrutiny and has nothing to hide
• Moral integrity – wholeness of character that remains consistent in all circumstances
• Tested authenticity – quality that has been proven genuine through examination

Εἰλικρίνεια Translation Options:

• Sincerity – captures the genuineness aspect but may miss the connotation of purity
• Purity – emphasizes the unmixed quality but might overlook the aspect of transparency
• Moral clarity – conveys the idea of being clear and unclouded in ethical matters
• Transparent integrity – combines the notions of visibility and wholeness
• Genuine authenticity – emphasizes the tested and proven nature of the quality

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, εἰλικρίνεια appears in contexts that emphasize the importance of living with transparent integrity before both God and others. Paul’s usage in 1 Corinthians 5:8 connects the concept to the Passover tradition of removing leaven, illustrating how believers should remove malice and wickedness from their lives to live with the “unleavened bread of sincerity (εἰλικρίνεια) and truth.” This powerful metaphor draws on Jewish ceremonial practices to emphasize the thorough nature of purification required in the believer’s character.

The only other occurrence in 2 Corinthians 2:17 appears in Paul’s defense of his ministry, where he contrasts those who “peddle the word of God” with his own approach of speaking “in Christ before God with εἰλικρίνεια.” Here, the word underscores the apostle’s claim to speak with unmixed motives and transparent integrity, highlighting the importance of genuine character in ministry leadership.

• “Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity [εἰλικρίνεια] and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:8
• “For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity [εἰλικρίνεια], but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

Cultural Insights

The concept of εἰλικρίνεια would have resonated deeply within the cultural context of the ancient world, particularly in commercial settings. In the marketplace of ancient Corinth – a major trading hub in the Roman Empire – merchants would examine fabrics by holding them up to the sunlight. This practice, called “εἰλικρίνεια testing,” would reveal any flaws, imperfections, or adulterations in the material. A fabric that passed this test was labeled “εἰλικρινής” – pure, genuine, and worthy of the highest price.

This commercial practice provided a powerful metaphor for spiritual and ethical living that Paul’s audience would have immediately recognized. Just as merchandise was scrutinized in the bright Mediterranean sun, so too should the believer’s life withstand examination in the light of God’s truth. The Jewish readers would also have connected this concept with their understanding of Passover purification, where homes were meticulously searched for any trace of leaven – a symbol of corruption that had to be completely removed. This cultural background enriches our understanding of why Paul chose this specific term when addressing issues of integrity and authenticity in the early church.

Theological Significance

Εἰλικρίνεια represents a fundamental attribute of God’s character that believers are called to emulate. Throughout Scripture, יהוה (Yahweh) reveals Himself as absolutely pure, without mixture of unrighteousness or deceit. The Messiah Jesus embodied perfect εἰλικρίνεια during His earthly ministry – His words and actions always aligned, His motives were always pure, and His character withstood the most intense scrutiny. In John 1:47, Jesus described Nathanael as “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit” – essentially identifying him as a man of εἰλικρίνεια.

This divine characteristic carries profound implications for believers. First, it reminds us that God sees beyond outward appearances and examines the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Nothing can be hidden from His penetrating gaze. Second, it challenges us to pursue transparency and authenticity in our relationship with Him and others. The gospel transforms us from people who hide behind masks to those who can stand in the light with nothing to conceal. Finally, εἰλικρίνεια points to our ultimate sanctification, when all impurity will be removed and we will perfectly reflect God’s character in glorified bodies (1 John 3:2).

Personal Application

Embracing εἰλικρίνεια in our daily walk with the Messiah means examining our motives, words, and actions as if holding them up to the sunlight of God’s presence. It calls us to ask difficult questions: Are there areas of my life that I prefer to keep in shadow? Am I the same person in private as I am in public? Do my words align with my thoughts and actions? This kind of self-examination isn’t meant to condemn but to refine – just as the merchant’s sun-test was designed not to reject goods but to ensure their genuine value.

The path toward greater εἰλικρίνεια begins with regular exposure to God’s light through His Word and prayer. As Psalm 139:23-24 teaches us to pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” When we invite God’s purifying presence into every aspect of our lives, He will faithfully reveal what needs to change and empower us through His Spirit to walk in ever-increasing transparency and authenticity.

Related Words

• ἁγνότης (hagnotēs, hag-NO-tays) – purity, chastity; focuses more on moral cleanness and freedom from defilement rather than transparency. See G54
• ἁπλότης (haplotēs, hap-LO-tays) – simplicity, sincerity, generosity; emphasizes singleness of purpose without complexity or duplicity. See G572
• εἰλικρινής (eilikrinēs, eye-lee-kree-NACE) – pure, sincere; the adjectival form from which εἰλικρίνεια derives. See G1506
• ἀλήθεια (alētheia, ah-LAY-thay-ah) – truth, reality; focuses on that which corresponds to reality rather than the quality of being unmixed. See G225
• καθαρότης (katharotēs, kath-ar-OT-ace) – cleanness, purity; emphasizes ritual or physical cleanliness more than moral transparency. See G2514

Did You Know?

• The ancient practice that inspired the term εἰλικρίνεια – holding objects up to sunlight for inspection – was particularly important in the pottery trade. Craftsmen would sometimes fill cracks in inferior vessels with wax, which would only be revealed when held to the sunlight. The Latin term for “without wax” is sine cera, which is the etymological root of our English word “sincere” – a fascinating parallel to the Greek concept.
• The related adjective εἰλικρινής appears in an ancient papyrus letter (P.Oxy. 2190) from the 1st century, where a father commends his son for his “εἰλικρινής διάθεσις” (genuine disposition) toward his studies. This shows how the word was used in everyday contexts to describe authentic character that could withstand scrutiny.
• The Jewish feast of Passover, which Paul references when using εἰλικρίνεια in 1 Corinthians 5:8, involved a ritual called “bedikat chametz” (the search for leaven). The head of the household would use a candle to illuminate every corner of the home to find any trace of leaven. This beautifully illustrates the thoroughness with which we should examine our lives for anything that compromises our sincerity before God.

Remember This

Εἰλικρίνεια is the spiritual transparency that invites God’s light to penetrate every corner of our being, revealing and removing all that is false until only pure, unmixed devotion to the Messiah remains.