me an unseasonable kindness

εὔνοια, ας, ἡ (s. prec. entry; Aeschyl., Hdt.+; also Aristot. EN 1166ab; ins, pap, LXX, EpArist, Philo; Jos., Ant. 2, 161; Ath., R. 48, 22) gener. ‘goodwill’.

① a kindly supportive feeling, favor, affection, benevolence (Diod S 1, 51, 5; 1, 54, 1; Jos., Bell. 4, 213, Ant. 11, 132; 18, 376) ἡ κατὰ θεὸν εὔ. (your) godly benevolence ITr 1:2. εὔ. εἴς τινα affection for someone (Thu. 2, 8, 4 al.; SIG 390, 18; 2 Macc 9:26; 11:19) MPol 17:3. ἐπὶ εὐνοίᾳ τῶν ἀδελφῶν upon the affection of the members (of the gathered group = fellowship) AcPl Ha 6, 10. Abstr. for concr. παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, μὴ εὔ. ἄκαιρος γένησθέ μοι I beg of you, do not show (lit. be to) me an unseasonable kindness IRo 4:1 (cp. the proverb ἄκαιρος εὔνοιʼ οὐδὲν ἔχθρας διαφέρει [Zenob., Paroem. 1, 50]). ὀφειλομένη εὔ. (s. ὀφείλω 2aα) 1 Cor 7:3 v.l.

② a positive attitude exhibited in a relationship, good attitude, willingness (common term in diplomatic documents in ref. to positive attitudes displayed by a person, city, or state: SIG 799, 27 σπουδὴ καὶ εὔ. ‘readiness and goodwill’; BGU 1121, 19 [5 B.C.]; s. also, e.g., the numerous reff. in IPriene, index VIII p. 277) as a virtue of slaves (POxy 494, 6 [156 A.D.]; cp. Lucian, Bis Accus. 16) μετʼ εὐνοίας δουλεύοντες Eph 6:7 (on μετʼ εὐ. cp. Pla., Phdr. 241c; Demosth. 18, 276; SIG 330, 8; Sir prol. 1:16).—ESkard, Zwei Religiös-Politische Begriffe, Euergetes-Concordia ’32, 29–35. Larfeld I 495–99. M-M. TW. Spicq. Sv.