Bible Dictionaries
Accept, Accepted, Acceptable

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

A — 1: δέχομαι

(Strong's #1209 — Verb — dechomai — dekh'-om-ahee )

signifies "to accept," by a deliberate and ready reception of what is offered (cp. No. 4), e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:13 , RV, "accepted;" 2 Corinthians 8:17; 11:4 . See RECEIVE , TAKE.

A — 2: ἀποδέχομαι

(Strong's #588 — Verb — apodechomai — ap-od-ekh'-om-ahee )

consisting of apo, "from," intensive, and No. 1, expresses dechomai more strongly, signifying "to receive heartily, to welcome," Luke 8:40 (RV, "welcomed," AV, "gladly received"); Acts 2:41; 18:27; 24:3; 28:30 . See RECEIVE , WELCOME.

A — 3: προσδέχομαι

(Strong's #4327 — Verb — prosdechomai — pros-dekh'-om-ahee )

pros, "to," and No. 1, "to accept favorably, or receive to oneself," is used of things future, in the sense of expecting; with the meaning of "accepting," it is used negatively in Hebrews 11:35 , "not accepting their deliverance;" of receiving, e.g., Luke 15:2; Romans 16:2; Philippians 2:29 . See ALLOW , LOOK (for), RECEIVE , TAKE , WAIT.

A — 4: λαμβάνω

(Strong's #2983 — Verb — lambano — lam-ban'-o )

almost synonymous with dechomai, is distinct from it, in that it sometimes means "to receive as merely a self-prompted action," without necessarily signifying a favorable reception, Galatians 2:6 . See ATTAIN , CALL , CATCH , HAVE , HOLD , OBTAIN , RECEIVE , TAKE.

Note: The verb charitoo, "to make acceptable," is translated "made accepted," in Ephesians 1:6 , AV; RV, "freely bestowed."

*The following adjectives are translated "acceptable," or in some cases "accepted." The R.V. more frequently adopts the former rendering.

B — 1: δεκτός

(Strong's #1184 — Adjective — dektos — dek-tos' )

akin to No. 1, denotes "a person or thing who has been regarded favorably," Luke 4:19,24; Acts 10:35; 2 Corinthians 6:2 (in this verse No. 3 is used in the second place); Philippians 4:18 .

B — 2: ἀπόδεκτος

(Strong's #587 — Adjective — apodektos — ap-od'-ek-tos )

a strengthened form of No. 1 (apo, "from," used intensively), signifies "acceptable," in the sense of what is pleasing and welcome, 1 Timothy 2:3; 5:4 .

B — 3: εὐπρόσδεκτος

(Strong's #2144 — Adjective — euprosdektos — yoo-pros'-dek-tos )

a still stronger form of No. 1, signifies a "very favorable acceptance" (eu, "well," pros, "towards," No. 1), Romans 15:16,31; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 8:12; 1 Peter 2:5 .

B — 4: εὐάρεστος

(Strong's #2101 — Adjective — euarestos — yoo-ar'-es-tos )

eu, "well," arestos, "pleasing," is rendered "acceptable," in the AV of Romans 12:1,2; 14:18; in 2 Corinthians 5:9 , "accepted;" Ephesians 5:10 . The RV usually has "well-pleasing;" so AV and RV in Philippians 4:18; Colossians 3:20; in Titus 2:9 , "please well," AV; Hebrews 13:21 . See PLEASING.

C — 1: εὐαρέστως

(Strong's #2102 — Adverb — euarestos — yoo-ar-es'-toce )

corresponding to B, No. 4, is used in Hebrews 12:28 , "so as to please." See PLEASE.

D — 1: ἀποδοχή

(Strong's #594 — Noun Feminine — apodoche — ap-od-okh-ay' )

akin to B, No. 2, signifies "worthy to be received with approbation, acceptation," 1 Timothy 1:15; 4:9 . The phrase in 1:15 is found in a writing in the 1st century expressing appreciation of a gift from a princess.

D — 2: χάρις

(Strong's #5485 — Noun Feminine — charis — khar'-ece )

"grace," indicating favor on the part of the giver, "thanks" on the part of the receiver, is rendered "acceptable" in 1 Peter 2:19,20 . See margin. See BENEFIT , FAVOR , GRACE , LIBERALITY , PLEASURE , THANK.

Bibliography Information
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Accept, Accepted, Acceptable'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​a/accept-accepted-acceptable.html. 1940.