Sordid (150) (aischros from aischos = baseness, disgrace) refers that which is indecent, dishonorable, "ugly", socially or morally unacceptable, shameful or base. (See related combined word aischrokerdos)
Aischros was a term especially significant in an honor-shame oriented society (a trait that did not characterize Crete!) and was used generally in reference to that which fails to meet expected moral and cultural standards.
The Cretans historically had a bad reputation for itinerate "prophets for profit" (Polybius, Livy, Plutarch).
NIDNTT records that...
The root aisch- refers originally to that which is ugly and disgraceful. aischuno (the verb form) (Homer onwards) thus meant originally to disfigure, make ugly. The verb is found in Greek literature almost exclusively in the middle or passive with the meaning to feel shame, be ashamed, or to be confounded, be disconcerted. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan)
Aischros is use 4 times in the NT (see below) and 6 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Genesis 41:3, 4, 19, 20, 21) and is translated in NT as: disgraceful(2), improper(1), sordid(1)
1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.
1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
Ephesians 5:12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
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