ἀναίδεια

shamelessness, shameless persistence

Definition

ἀναίδεια refers to a lack of shame or a shameless persistence, particularly in the context of making a request. In its single New Testament occurrence (Luke 11:8), it describes the bold, unembarrassed persistence of a man asking his neighbor for bread at midnight. This is not a negative 'shamelessness' in greed, but a positive, determined boldness in seeking help. The word implies a disregard for social propriety or personal embarrassment when pursuing a necessary good.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 11:8, within Jesus' parable about prayer. The context is a friend urgently requesting bread from a neighbor to feed an unexpected guest. Jesus uses the term to illustrate the kind of bold, persistent asking that God honors. There is no pattern of usage across books, as it is a hapax legomenon (word occurring once).

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative prefix ἀν- (an-, meaning 'without' or 'not') and the root αἰδώς (aidōs), which means 'shame,' 'modesty,' or 'respect.' Literally, it means 'shamelessness.' The related verb αἰδέομαι (aideomai) means 'to be ashamed' or 'to have respect for.' The compound word thus denotes an absence of the restraint that shame or respect for social norms typically provides.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it defines a key attitude in prayer. In Luke 11:5-8, Jesus contrasts the neighbor's eventual response due to the petitioner's 'shameless persistence' (ἀναίδεια) with God's certain and good response to His children. It teaches that effective prayer involves a bold, confident, and persistent approach to God, free from shame or hesitation, rooted in the relationship of a child to a loving Father. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by highlighting the active, tenacious faith God desires.

In the ancient Mediterranean honor-shame culture, avoiding shame (αἰδώς) was a powerful social regulator. Acting with ἀναίδεια—without regard for causing inconvenience or embarrassment to oneself or another—was generally negative. Jesus subverts this cultural expectation by applying the term positively to prayer. The midnight request in the parable would have been seen as a profound breach of social etiquette, making the illustration of boldness even more striking to the original audience.

παρρησία (parrēsia, G3954) — boldness or confidence in speech, often before God or people, without the connotation of overcoming shame. προσκαρτέρησις (proskarterēsis, G4343) — steadfast persistence or devotion, focusing on continual effort rather than boldness in the initial ask.

Word Details

Scripture References