Lexical Summary akatakritos: Uncondemned, without condemnation Original Word: ἀκατάκριτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance uncondemned. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of katakrino; without (legal) trial -- uncondemned. see GREEK a see GREEK katakrino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and katakrinó Definition uncondemned NASB Translation uncondemned (1), without trial (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 178: ἀκατάκριτοςἀκατάκριτος, (κατακρίνω), uncondemned; punished without being tried: Acts 16:37; Acts 22:25. (Not found in secular writings.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope The term describes a state of standing before civil authority without an official verdict of guilt. It presupposes an orderly judicial process and highlights the moral claim that punishment must never precede lawful determination. Occurrences in Acts • Acts 16:37 – Paul reminds the Philippian magistrates that they “beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens” (Berean Standard Bible). In both passages the apostle invokes the concept to expose illegitimate use of state power and to protect the integrity of gospel witness. Roman Legal Context Roman law granted citizens the right to a formal hearing (cognitio) before corporal punishment. Violating that right could incur severe penalties for officials. By appealing to his citizenship, Paul: 1. Shames local authorities into upholding their own laws. Old Testament Echoes The Mosaic standard likewise required due process: “You shall not pervert justice” (Deuteronomy 16:19) and “then the judges shall inquire diligently” (Deuteronomy 19:18). Paul’s stance harmonizes with the long-standing biblical insistence that verdict precede sentence. Theological Implications 1. Innocence and Condemnation – The word frames a contrast between Paul, who is uncondemned, and Jesus Christ, who was condemned though sinless (Isaiah 53:8; John 19:16). Practical Ministry Applications • Civil Engagement – Christians may lawfully assert constitutional or statutory protections when gospel work is threatened, doing so with humility and purpose. Related Doctrinal Themes Justice, Citizenship, Suffering for Righteousness, Sanctity of Human Dignity, Government as God’s Servant (Romans 13:1-4). Summary The brief New Testament history of this word underscores a timeless principle: God’s people should pursue and promote righteous judgment, trusting that earthly courts, however flawed, are ultimately subject to the higher court of the living God, who has already declared His children free from condemnation through Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations ακατακριτον ακατάκριτον ἀκατάκριτον ακατακριτους ακατακρίτους ἀκατακρίτους akatakriton akatákriton akatakritous akatakrítousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 16:37 Adj-AMPGRK: ἡμᾶς δημοσίᾳ ἀκατακρίτους ἀνθρώπους Ῥωμαίους NAS: us in public without trial, men KJV: us openly uncondemned, being Romans, INT: us publicly uncondemned men Romans Acts 22:25 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 178 |
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