Shamefastness

In our Men’s Bible Study, we came across the word Shamefastness or Shamefacedness.  It is a word rarely used in the New Testament, but carries a deep meaning.  The Apostle Paul commands the women of the church to possess shamefastness (1 Tim 2:9) and the writer of Hebrews uses it to describe the nature and character of the gratitude we should have in serving Him in His unshakable kingdom.

So what does it mean?  Shamefastness (Aidos) is the negative form of the word eido or oida which means to see, to perceive with the eyes or to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything.  It is the awkward modesty rooted in the character of a person with the intention to draw away from self.  The strength of character which restrains oneself from an unworthy act is the essence of shamefastness.  This kind of gives a new outlook on what modesty really is and where it comes from.