Quick Definition
correction, reformation
Strong's Definition
a straightening up again, i.e. (figuratively) rectification (reformation)
Derivation: from a compound of G1909 (ἐπί) and G461 (ἀνορθόω);
KJV Usage: correction
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπανόρθωσις, ἐπανορθωσεως, ἡ (ἐπανορθόω), restoration to an upright or a right state; correction, improvement (in Greek writings from Demosthenes down): of life and character, 2Ti_3:16 (cf. τόν Θεόν ... χρόνον γέ πρός ἐπανόρθωσιν (αὐτοῖς) προσιζάνειν, Plutarch, de sera num. vind. 6); with τοῦ βίου added, Polybius 1, 35, 1; Epictetus diss. 3, 21, 15; σεαυτοῦ, id. ench. 51, 1; (ἠθικη δέ τά πρός ἀνθρωπίνων ἐπανόρθωσιν ἠθῶν, Philo de ebriet. § 22; cf. de confus. lingg. § 36 at the end); (cf. ἐπανορθουν καί εἰς μετάνοιαν ἀπάγειν, Josephus, Antiquities 4, 6, 10).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπανόρθωσις epanorthōsis 1x
correction, reformation, improvement, 2Ti_3:16
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἐπ -αν -όρθωσις , -εως , ἡ
( < ἐπανορθόω , to correct, restore; of. 2Ma_2:22 ),
[in LXX : 1Es_8:52 , 1Ma_14:34 * ;]
correction: of life, 2Ti_3:16 ( cf. MM , Exp., xiv).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπανόρθωσις [page 229]
For the literal meaning of this subst. see Michel 830 .4 (end ii/B.C.) εἰς τὴν ἐπανόρθωσιν τοῦ ἱεροῦ τῆς Ἀρτέμιδος . With the metaph. usage in 2Ti_3:16 , cf. P Oxy II. 237 viii. 30 (A.D. 186) καίτοι πολλάκις̣ κ̣ρ̣ι̣θ̣ὲν ὑπὸ τῶν πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἐπάρχων τῆς δεούσης αὐτὰ̣ τυχε̣ι̣̑ν ἐπανορθώσεως , although my predecessors often ordered that these (abstracts) should receive the necessary correction, ib. I. 78 .29 (iii/A.D.) ὃ προσῆκόν ἐστι πρᾶξαι περὶ τῆς τούτων ἐπανορθώσεως , and ib. 67 .14 (A.D. 338) πάντα μέν , ὡς ἔπος ἐστὶν εἰπεῖν , ὅσα εἰσχύειν τι δύν [α ]τ [αι ] παρὰ τὴν τῶν νόμων [ἰσχὺ ]ν πρὸς ὀλίγον εἰσχύει , ἐπανορθοῦτε ( l. αι ) δὲ ὕστερον ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν νόμων ἐπεξελεύσεως , everything, it may be said, that is able to withstand the power of the law withstands but for a short time and then submits to the law s correcting vengeance (Edd.). For an additional ex. of the verb, see P Gen I. I .17 (A.D. 158) εἰ μάθοιμι παρὰ τὰ κεκελευσμένα πρά [σ ]σοντας ἐπιστρεφ [έ ]στερον ὑμᾶς ἐπανορθώ [σω ]μαι . P Ryl II. 302 (iii/A.D.) is addressed to an official ἐπανορθωτῇ τῆς ἱερᾶ [ς . . ., and in OGIS 711 .4 this noun is used with a political reference ( vocabulum sollcnne iuris publici est, expressum ex Latino corrector , Dittenberger).
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐπανόρθωσις ἐπανόρθωσις, εως "a correcting, revisal", Dem.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐπ-αν-όρθωσις, -εως, ἡ
(ἐπανορθόω, to correct, restore; of. 2Ma.2:22) [in LXX: I Est.8:52, 1Ma.14:34 * ;]
correction: of life, 2Ti.3:16 (cf. MM, Exp., xiv).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Correction (1882) epanorthosis
Correction (1882) (epanorthosis from epi = upon + anorthoo = make straight again which in turn is from ana = again + orthoo = make straight) literally means a straightening up again and thus a restoration of something to its original and proper condition.
In secular Greek literature it was used of setting upright an object that had fallen down and of helping a person back on his feet after stumbling. It also referred to repairing a broken arm, thus making it straight again. After exposing and condemning false belief and sinful conduct, Scripture then sets straight and builds up through its divine correction...putting us back on our feet so to speak so that we can continue on the pilgrim path of growth in Christ likeness, holiness, sanctification.
Correction is Scripture’s positive provision for those who accept its negative reproof.
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1Pe 2:1,2-see notes 1P2:1, 2:2)
Paul emphasized the restorative power of God's Word in his parting words to the Ephesian elders
And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32)
Webster's 1828 dictionary defines correction as the act of
bringing back, from error or deviation, into conformity with a just standard...In scriptural language, whatever tends to correct the moral conduct, and bring back from error or sin.
And of course as Albert Barnes says
No reformation can be permanent which is not based on the principles of the word of God.
The Word of God restores the fallen sinner to an upright position and sets the erring one again on the right path.
FOR TRAINING (child rearing) IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: pros paideian ten en dikaiosune: (2Ti 2:25; Dt 4:36; Neh 9:20; Ps 119:9, 10;119:11 Mt 13:52; Acts 18:25; Ro 2:20)
for instruction (KJV)
instruction in righteousness [or, the behavior that God requires] (Analyzed Literal)
giving instruction for right living (GNB)
training them for a life that has God's approval (GWT)
showing them how to live (CEV)
for education in righteousness (BBE)
discipline in obedience and for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action) (Amp)
training in right living (JNT)