Men-pleasers
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Definition and Context:
The term "men-pleasers" refers to individuals who act with the primary intention of gaining favor or approval from other people rather than from God. This concept is addressed in the Bible, particularly in the context of Christian conduct and the motivations behind one's actions. The term is often associated with hypocrisy and a lack of genuine faithfulness to God's commands.

Biblical References:
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of being a "men-pleaser" in several of his epistles. In Ephesians 6:5-6 , Paul instructs, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of sincerity and integrity, urging believers to serve with genuine devotion to God rather than merely seeking to impress human overseers.

Similarly, in Colossians 3:22 , Paul writes, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." This passage reinforces the idea that one's actions should be motivated by a desire to honor God, rather than simply to gain human approval.

In Galatians 1:10 , Paul makes a strong statement about his own motivations: "Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." This verse highlights the incompatibility of seeking human approval with true servitude to Christ. Paul underscores that a genuine follower of Christ prioritizes God's approval above all else.

Theological Implications:
The concept of being a "men-pleaser" is closely tied to the broader biblical theme of integrity and authenticity in one's faith. The Bible consistently calls believers to live in a manner that reflects their commitment to God, rather than conforming to the expectations or desires of others. This is seen as a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship, where the believer's ultimate allegiance is to God.

The danger of being a "men-pleaser" lies in the potential for compromised values and a diluted witness. When individuals prioritize human approval, they may be tempted to alter their beliefs or behaviors to fit societal norms or to avoid conflict. This can lead to a form of hypocrisy, where outward actions do not align with inner convictions.

Practical Application:
For Christians, the call to avoid being a "men-pleaser" is a call to examine one's motivations and to ensure that their actions are rooted in a desire to honor God. This involves cultivating a heart of sincerity and integrity, where one's public and private lives are consistent with their professed faith.

Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and strength in living out their faith authentically, even when it may lead to opposition or misunderstanding from others. By focusing on God's approval, Christians can find the courage to stand firm in their convictions and to be true witnesses of the Gospel in all areas of life.
Greek
441. anthropareskos -- man-pleasing
... Word Origin from anthropos and areskos (pleasing) Definition man-pleasing NASB Word
Usage men-pleasers (1), please men (1), those who...please men (1). fawning. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/441.htm - 6k
Library

Colossians iii. 18-25
... in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice,
as menpleasers, but in ... "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers." Make, he ...
/.../homily x colossians iii 18-25.htm

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... to the flesh, are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart,
as unto Christ; not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers: but as ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

Disobedience Causeth God's Name to be Blasphemed.
... Let us blot out from us our former sins, and repenting from the soul let us be saved;
and let us not become [3934] men-pleasers, nor let us desire to please ...
/.../the second epistle of clement/chap xiii disobedience causeth gods name.htm

Of Loving Our Enemies.
... This do also the robbers and the publicans." [666] And those that do good
it teaches not to boast, lest they become men-pleasers. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xiv of loving our enemies.htm

God's Name not to be Blasphemed.
... Let us wipe out from us our former sins, and repenting from the heart be saved;
and let us not be men-pleasers, nor be willing to please one another only, but ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xiii gods name not to.htm

Petty Dishonesty.
... S. Paul bids all who serve others"we all do that in one way or another"do their
duty, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as though they were ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ...
... It is better to be the lowest servant of Christ than to be the greatest of men,
and remain slaves to your own lusts, or be mere men-pleasers. ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/christ and his table-companions and.htm

Women as Well as Men, Slaves as Well as Freemen, Candidates for ...
... Servants, be obedient in all things to those who are your masters according to the
flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but with singleness of heart ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii women as well as.htm

Some Scriptures for Daily Practise.
... "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will." Acts
22:14. "Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/some scriptures for daily practise.htm

The Christian Home
... accomplish His great work (Philippians 2:6-9). Paul exhorted servants of the household
to be obedient, serving, "not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study x the christian home.htm

Thesaurus
Menpleasers (2 Occurrences)
...Menpleasers (2 Occurrences). Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers;
but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (KJV). ...
/m/menpleasers.htm - 7k

Men-pleasers (2 Occurrences)
Men-pleasers. Menpleasers, Men-pleasers. Men's . Multi-Version Concordance
Men-pleasers (2 Occurrences). ... Menpleasers, Men-pleasers. Men's . Reference Bible
/m/men-pleasers.htm - 7k

Eyeservice (2 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (KJV ASV NAS). ...
/e/eyeservice.htm - 7k

Pleasers (2 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as menpleasers;
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (WEB KJV ...
/p/pleasers.htm - 7k

Win (27 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as menpleasers;
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (See NIV). ...
/w/win.htm - 14k

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:6 not with eye-service as men-pleasers; but as bondmen of Christ,
doing the will of God from the soul, (DBY). Philippians ...
/b/bondmen.htm - 35k

Please (324 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as menpleasers;
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (Root in ...
/p/please.htm - 36k

Favor (184 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as menpleasers;
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (See NIV). ...
/f/favor.htm - 40k

Service (317 Occurrences)
... the way of service only when eyes are on you, as menpleasers; but as ... things your
masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in ...
/s/service.htm - 42k

Fearing (107 Occurrences)
... Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according
to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as menpleasers, but in ...
/f/fearing.htm - 35k

Resources
How can I stop being a people-pleaser? | GotQuestions.org

Is “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” a true statement? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about popularity / wanting to be popular? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Men-pleasers (2 Occurrences)

Ephesians 6:6
not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
(ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
(ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

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Men-pleasers

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Menpleasers
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