794. astorgos

Lexicon

astorgos: Without natural affection, unloving

Original Word: ἄστοργος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: astorgos
Pronunciation: as'-tor-gos
Phonetic Spelling: (as'-tor-gos)
Definition: Without natural affection, unloving
Meaning: unloving, devoid of affection.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

without natural affection.

From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of stergo (to cherish affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred -- without natural affection.

see GREEK a

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and storgé (family affection)
Definition
without natural affection
NASB Translation
unloving (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 794: ἄστοργος

ἄστοργος, ἀστοργον (στοργή love of kindred), without natural affection: Romans 1:31; 2 Timothy 3:3. (Aeschines, Theocritus, Plutarch, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "α-" (a-, meaning "without") and "στοργή" (storgē, meaning "natural affection" or "familial love").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἄστοργος in the Old Testament. However, the concept of lacking natural affection can be related to various Hebrew terms that describe unloving or hard-hearted behavior, such as "קָשֶׁה לֵב" (qasheh lev, meaning "hard-hearted") or "לֹא רַחוּם" (lo rachum, meaning "unmerciful"). These terms similarly convey a deficiency in the expected emotional and relational bonds within families and communities.

Usage: The word ἄστοργος is used in the New Testament to describe a moral deficiency, particularly in the context of societal decay and the breakdown of family bonds. It appears in lists of vices that characterize a departure from godly living.

Context: The Greek term ἄστοργος is found in the New Testament in two key passages: Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3. In Romans 1:31, the Apostle Paul includes ἄστοργος in a list of characteristics that describe those who have turned away from God, highlighting the moral decline that results from rejecting divine truth. The absence of natural affection is seen as a symptom of a broader spiritual and moral corruption.

In 2 Timothy 3:3, Paul again uses ἄστοργος in a list of negative traits that will be prevalent in the "last days." Here, it underscores the breakdown of family and social bonds, as people become increasingly self-centered and devoid of the natural love that should exist within families and communities.

The concept of ἄστοργος is significant in understanding the biblical view of family and community. The Bible emphasizes the importance of love and affection within familial relationships as a reflection of God's love for humanity. The absence of such affection is portrayed as contrary to God's design and indicative of a society that has strayed from His principles.

Forms and Transliterations

αστοργοι άστοργοι ἄστοργοι αστοργους αστόργους ἀστόργους astorgoi ástorgoi astorgous astórgous

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 1:31 Adj-AMP
GRK: ἀσυνέτους ἀσυνθέτους ἀστόργους ἀνελεήμονας
NAS: untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
KJV: covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable,
INT: without understanding untrustworthy without natural affection unmerciful

2 Timothy 3:3 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἄστοργοι ἄσπονδοι διάβολοι
NAS: unloving, irreconcilable,
KJV: Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
INT: unloving unappeasable slanderers

Strong's Greek 794
2 Occurrences

ἄστοργοι — 1 Occ.
ἀστόργους — 1 Occ.