Lexical Summary anaxios: Unworthy, undeserving Original Word: ἀνάξιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unworthy. From a (as a negative particle) and axios; unfit -- unworthy. see GREEK a see GREEK axios HELPS Word-studies 370 anáksios (from 303 /aná, "up to the top" and 514 /áksios, "worth, as it corresponds to real value") – properly, tested and found wanting, i.e. not equal to the task; unworthy (unfit, inappropriate), falling short of what God says is valuable – (literally) "lacking a correspondence to real value." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and axios Definition unworthy NASB Translation competent (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 370: ἀνάξιοςἀνάξιος, ἀνάξιον (alpha privative and ἄξιος) (from Sophocles down), unworthy (τίνος): unfit for a thing, 1 Corinthians 6:2. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Background Formed by prefixing the alpha-privative to the root for “worthy,” the word paints a picture of one who is unfitting, incompetent, or undeserving of a given role or honor. In the wider Greek world it could describe a citizen stripped of civic rights, a soldier unfit for command, or a gift too paltry for a deity. Because the term measures a person against an objective standard, it lends itself naturally to ethical and theological reflection. New Testament Occurrence The word appears once in the Greek New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 6:2. Its singular use amplifies its rhetorical weight: Paul chooses a strong and uncommon term to jolt the Corinthians into seeing the inconsistency between their heavenly calling and their earthly behavior. Contextual Analysis of 1 Corinthians 6:2 “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). The apostle confronts believers who were hauling each other before pagan courts. By dubbing them “unworthy” (ἀνάξιοι), he exposes a mismatch: those destined to share in Christ’s future judgment of the nations now seem incapable of settling the most mundane disputes within the church. The irony is deliberate. Paul is not questioning their salvation but their maturity. In effect he asks, “How can heirs of the kingdom behave like spiritual minors?” Theological Significance 1. Eschatological Identity: The term presses the church to view present conduct through the lens of future destiny (Daniel 7:22; Revelation 20:4). Saints who will one day render righteous judgment must cultivate discernment now. Implications for Church Governance and Dispute Resolution • Internal Accountability: The local assembly, endowed with the wisdom of the Spirit and the authority of the Word, should handle interpersonal grievances in a way that displays kingdom values (Matthew 18:15-17). Pastoral Application • Cultivate Discernment: Regular exposure to Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel equips believers to judge rightly. Historical Insight Early Christian writers echo Paul’s concern. Tertullian criticized Christians who appealed to Roman courts, urging them to settle quarrels “within the family of faith.” The Apostolic Constitutions direct bishops to arbitrate disputes, reflecting confidence that the church possessed sufficient wisdom. Related Scriptural Themes • Worthiness and Calling: Luke 7:6; Acts 13:46; Hebrews 11:38. Summary The lone New Testament appearance of ἀνάξιος serves as a sharpened arrow in Paul’s quiver, aimed at awakening believers to their mismatch between calling and conduct. Recognizing the shame of being “unworthy” drives the church toward spiritual maturity, fosters a culture of righteous judgment, and magnifies the grace that alone makes any of us fit to serve. Forms and Transliterations αναξιοι ανάξιοί ἀνάξιοί αναξίου anaxioi anáxioíLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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