ἐγκομβόομαι

I clothe myself

Definition

The verb ἐγκομβόομαι means 'to clothe oneself' or 'to put on' a garment, but with a specific nuance of tying or fastening that garment securely around oneself. In its only New Testament occurrence, 1 Peter 5:5, it is used metaphorically, instructing believers to 'clothe yourselves' with humility. This metaphorical use implies a deliberate, conscious act of adorning oneself with a character trait as one would put on a piece of clothing. The original, literal sense involved tying on an apron or work garment, suggesting readiness for service or menial tasks.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 5:5. It is used in a direct exhortation within a household code, instructing younger members of the church to submit to elders and for all to clothe themselves with humility toward one another. The context is ethical and communal, focusing on the posture believers should adopt within the Christian community.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐν (en, 'in') and κόμβος (kombos, 'knot'). The compound verb literally means 'to tie something onto oneself in a knot.' It originally referred to the fastening of a work apron or slave's garment, which was tied on over other clothing to protect it during labor or service.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the active, intentional nature of cultivating Christian virtue. Humility is not presented as a passive feeling but as a garment one must deliberately 'put on' (ἐγκομβόομαι) in relationships. This aligns with other 'clothing' metaphors in the New Testament (e.g., Colossians 3:12, 'clothe yourselves with compassion'), emphasizing that godly character involves conscious choice and effort empowered by the Spirit.

In the Greco-Roman world, the garment implied by this verb (the ἐγκόμβωμα) was a slave's apron or a workman's protective cloth tied over clothing. To 'clothe oneself' with it was a sign of readiness for humble, often dirty, service. Peter's use of this term would have vividly communicated to his readers that Christian humility is not about status reduction but about adopting the posture of a servant, ready for menial tasks for the sake of others.

ἐνδύω (endyō, G1746) — A more general term for putting on clothes or armor, used for both literal and extensive metaphorical clothing (e.g., putting on Christ, the new self).

Word Details

Scripture References