Lexical Summary phthartos: Perishable, corruptible Original Word: φθαρτός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance corruptible. From phtheiro; decayed, i.e. (by implication) perishable -- corruptible. see GREEK phtheiro HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5349 phthartós (an adjective, derived from 5351 /phtheírō) – perishable, what easily perishes disintegrates (corrupts) – like the break-down of the physical body during our natural lifetime. See 5351 (phteírō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phtheiró Definition perishable, corruptible NASB Translation corruptible (1), perishable (3), perishable things (1), which is perishable (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5349: φθαρτόςφθαρτός, φθαρτη, φθαρτόν (φθείρω), corruptible, perishable (Vulg.corruptibilis): 1 Corinthians 9:23; 1 Peter 1:23; ἄνθρωπος, i. e. mortal, opposed to ὁ ἄφθαρτος Θεός, Romans 1:23; οὐ φθαρτοῖς ἀργυρίῳ ἤ χρυσίῳ, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, 1 Peter 1:18 (Winer's Grammar, § 59, 5 at the end) (χρυσός καί ἄργυρος, ὀυσιαι φθαρται, Philo de cherub. § 14; οὐκ ἄργυρον οὐδέ χρυσόν τινα, ἤ ἄλλο τῶν ἐν ὕλαις φθαρταις, de congr. erudit. grat. § 20); neuter τό φθαρτόν, that which is liable to corruption (τό φθαρτόν τοῦτο this corruptible (A. V.)), 1 Corinthians 15:53f. (Diodorus 1, 6; Philo de legg. alleg. 2, 1; de cherub. § 2; (Aristotle), Plutarch, Sextus Empiricus, others; 2 Macc. 7:16; Wis. 9:15 Wis. 14:8.) Topical Lexicon Conceptual OverviewThe adjective φθαρτός describes what is subject to decay, spoilage, or dissolution—everything in creation that shares the destiny of mortality and entropy after the Fall. Scripture consistently contrasts what is φθαρτός with what is ἄφθαρτος, “imperishable,” to magnify God’s glory in redemption and resurrection. Occurrences and Settings • Romans 1:23 – Humanity exchanged “the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles,” a trade of the imperishable for the perishable that epitomizes idolatry. Theological Significance 1. Human Frailty and Sin φθαρτός exposes the radical insufficiency of fallen humanity. Idolatry (Romans 1) and self-effort (1 Corinthians 9) are doomed because they rest on what cannot last. 2. Christ’s Redemptive Sufficiency Peter’s coupling of φθαρτός with the costly blood of Christ underscores the infinite worth of the atonement. Material wealth may be revered, but it is intrinsically incapable of securing salvation. 3. Regeneration Through the Word The “imperishable seed” of 1 Peter 1:23 identifies Scripture itself as the agent God uses to impart eternal life. Evangelism and discipleship therefore rely on the proclaimed Word rather than on perishable techniques or human charisma. 4. Eschatological Hope Paul’s repeated use in 1 Corinthians 15 places φθαρτός at the heart of resurrection hope. The present body, though subject to decay, will be re-clothed with immortality, guaranteeing victory over death through Christ. Historical Reflections Early church fathers—Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian—cited 1 Corinthians 15 to defend bodily resurrection against Gnostic notions of escaping matter. Reformation preachers applied the same texts to rebut medieval indulgences, stressing that no “perishable things” could buy grace. Puritan writers employed 1 Peter 1 to stir believers toward holy living anchored in an imperishable inheritance. Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: Highlight the bankruptcy of earthly idols and the permanence of Christ’s work. Connection to Old Testament Themes The fading manna (Exodus 16), moth-eaten garments (Isaiah 51), and corruptible sacrificial elements prefigure the φθαρτός/ἄφθαρτος contrast. These shadows find fulfillment in the Lamb “without blemish or spot” whose blood secures an imperishable inheritance. Summary φθαρτός serves the biblical storyline by underlining creation’s bondage to decay, elevating the incomparable worth of Christ’s redemption, and focusing believers on the sure hope of resurrection glory. Forms and Transliterations φθαρτης φθαρτής φθαρτῆς φθαρτοις φθαρτοίς φθαρτοῖς φθαρτον φθαρτόν φθαρτὸν φθαρτου φθαρτού φθαρτοῦ phthartes phthartês phthartēs phthartē̂s phthartois phthartoîs phtharton phthartòn phthartou phthartoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 1:23 Adj-GMSGRK: ὁμοιώματι εἰκόνος φθαρτοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ NAS: in the form of corruptible man KJV: made like to corruptible man, INT: a likeness of an image of mortal man and 1 Corinthians 9:25 Adj-AMS 1 Corinthians 15:53 Adj-NNS 1 Corinthians 15:54 Adj-NNS 1 Peter 1:18 Adj-DNP 1 Peter 1:23 Adj-GFS Strong's Greek 5349 |
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