Lexical Summary ponéroteros: More evil, more wicked Original Word: πονηρότερος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance more wicked. Comparative of poneros; more evil -- more wicked. see GREEK poneros NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincptv. of ponéros, q.v. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope πονηρότερος expresses a comparative state of moral and spiritual depravity: “more evil,” “worse,” “more wicked.” Scripture frequently describes evil not as a fixed point but as something that can deepen, spread, and intensify. Background in Greek Usage Classical writers employ the word group to contrast degrees of vice or calamity. In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), the comparative often renders the Hebrew יָרַע in passages where Israel’s sin outstrips that of prior generations (Jeremiah 7:26; Jeremiah 16:12), establishing a biblical pattern of progressive corruption. Old Testament Foundations of Progressive Evil 1. National Decline Prophetic Warnings and Covenantal Consequences The prophets connect increasing wickedness with heightened covenant curses. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all announce judgments proportionate to Israel’s compounded guilt, yet always hold out the promise of restoration for the repentant remnant. Jesus Christ and the Danger of a Worse State 1. Demonized Man In both cases the Lord warns that partial, external, or temporary relief from sin’s power without genuine repentance leads to a deeper bondage. Apostolic Teaching on Escalating Evil 1. Church and World Historical Theology Early patristic writers (e.g., Irenaeus, Tertullian) saw history itself as a contest between expanding righteousness and intensifying evil, a view echoed in Augustine’s “two cities.” The Reformers applied the same principle to church purity, warning that doctrinal compromise, if unchecked, becomes progressively destructive. Ministry Application • Preaching: Proclaim not only the sinfulness of sin but its power to worsen; urgent calls to repentance should reflect this biblical trajectory. Pastoral Counsel Warn the complacent convert: past victories do not immunize against future defeats. Encourage continual reliance on the Spirit, regular self-examination, and community accountability to avoid a relapse into a “worse” condition (Galatians 6:1). Eschatological Assurance Though Scripture foresees evil intensifying before the Lord’s return, it also guarantees that Christ will finally judge and eradicate wickedness. The comparative “worse” is temporary; the eternal state of the redeemed is incomparable glory (Romans 8:18). Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance πονηρὰ — 15 Occ.πονηραί — 2 Occ. πονηρᾶς — 1 Occ. πονηρέ — 3 Occ. πονηρῷ — 2 Occ. πονηρῶν — 6 Occ. πονηροὶ — 5 Occ. πονηροῖς — 3 Occ. πονηρὸν — 12 Occ. πονηρὸς — 8 Occ. πονηροῦ — 13 Occ. πονηροὺς — 7 Occ. πόνων — 1 Occ. πόνον — 1 Occ. πόνος — 1 Occ. πόνου — 1 Occ. Ποντικὸν — 1 Occ. Πόντιος — 1 Occ. Ποντίου — 2 Occ. Πόντον — 1 Occ. |
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