ὑπείκω
I yield
Definition
The verb ὑπείκω means to yield, submit, or give way, often in the context of yielding to authority or persuasion. It carries the sense of a voluntary submission, not a forced surrender. In its single New Testament occurrence in Hebrews 13:17, it specifically refers to yielding to spiritual leaders. The word can also imply stepping back or making room, a nuance found in classical Greek, suggesting a posture of deference.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 13:17: 'Obey your leaders and submit (ὑπείκετε) to them.' Here, it is used in a direct exhortation to the Christian community, instructing believers to yield willingly to the guidance and authority of their spiritual overseers. The context is one of mutual responsibility within the church body.
Etymology
Derived from ὑπό (hypo, meaning 'under') and εἴκω (eikō, meaning 'to yield' or 'to give way'). The compound literally means 'to yield under,' picturing a voluntary stepping back or making space for another. Its root conveys the idea of giving in or conceding.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines the proper posture of believers toward church leadership. The voluntary yielding it describes is foundational to church order, unity, and spiritual protection. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Hebrews 13:17 by emphasizing that submission is an active, willing choice of trust and respect, integral to the health of the Christian community.
In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of yielding to authority was deeply embedded in social and political structures. For the original readers of Hebrews, accustomed to hierarchical systems, this exhortation to 'yield' to church leaders would have been a recognizable call to order, though now grounded in a spiritual, rather than purely civic, framework.
ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō, G5293) — a more common NT term for submission, often implying a structured arrangement or placing oneself under authority. πείθω (peithō, G3982) — means to persuade or be convinced, focusing on the internal agreement that can lead to yielding.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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