Lexical Summary akataschetos: Uncontrollable, unrestrainable Original Word: ἀκατάσχετος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unruly. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of katecho; unrestrainable -- unruly. see GREEK a see GREEK katecho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for akatastatos, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 183: ἀκατάσχετοςἀκατάσχετος, (κατέχω, to restrain, control), that cannot be restrained: James 3:8 R G. (Job 31:11; 3Macc. 6:17; Diodorus 17, 38 ἀκατάσχετος δάκρυα, others.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Core Idea Ἀκατάσχετος depicts that which breaks every attempt at restraint—something ungovernable, irrepressible, or uncontrollable. In Scripture the term is applied to the human tongue, underscoring the impossibility of mastering it apart from divine grace. Canonical Context James situates the word within a sober warning about speech (James 3:1-12). He likens the tongue to fire and poison, calling it “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). The single occurrence of ἀκατάσχετος intensifies the argument: though small, the tongue can rage like an unquenchable blaze, revealing inner corruption and endangering the gathered church (James 3:5-6; James 1:26). Historical and Extra-Biblical Usage Classical writers used the adjective for floods that burst their banks, steeds that bolt from the bridle, or mobs that cannot be pacified. This backdrop heightens James’s picture: an undisciplined tongue resembles a natural catastrophe—swift, destructive, and beyond human control. Theological Significance 1. Human Depravity: The term illustrates the depth of indwelling sin. Even believers, regenerated yet not glorified, face a member of the body that resists mastery (Romans 7:18-24). Ministry and Pastoral Application • Preaching: Expositions of James 3 should highlight ἀκατάσχετος to warn against careless words and to point to Christ, whose mouth spoke only truth and grace (1 Peter 2:22-23). Relation to Broader Biblical Themes The word resonates with Old Testament wisdom that “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21) and complements New Testament teaching that believers must present their bodies—including their tongues—as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). It also anticipates the eschatological hope when every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Philippians 2:11), a future in which speech is finally and forever restrained unto holiness. Summary Ἀκατάσχετος crystallizes the Bible’s assessment of uncontrolled speech: it is a force no human can subdue, demanding continual reliance on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and vigilant obedience to the word of God. Forms and Transliterations ακατάσχετον ακατάσχετος ακατέργαστόν άκαυστονLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance ἀκατακάλυπτον — 1 Occ.ἀκατάκριτον — 1 Occ. ἀκατακρίτους — 1 Occ. ἀκαταλύτου — 1 Occ. ἀκαταπαύστους — 1 Occ. ἀκαταστασία — 1 Occ. ἀκαταστασίαι — 1 Occ. ἀκαταστασίαις — 1 Occ. ἀκαταστασίας — 2 Occ. ἀκατάστατον — 1 Occ. Ἁκελδαμάχ — 1 Occ. ἀκέραιοι — 2 Occ. ἀκεραίους — 1 Occ. ἀκλινῆ — 1 Occ. ἤκμασαν — 1 Occ. Ἀκμὴν — 1 Occ. ἀκοαί — 1 Occ. ἀκοαῖς — 1 Occ. ἀκοὰς — 4 Occ. ἀκοὴ — 10 Occ. |
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