Lexical Summary aphtharsia: Incorruptibility, immortality, imperishability Original Word: ἀφθαρσία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance incorruptibility, immortalityFrom aphthartos; incorruptibility; genitive, unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness -- immortality, incorruption, sincerity. see GREEK aphthartos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 861 aphtharsía – properly, no-corruption (unable to experience deterioration); incorruptibility (not perishable), i.e. lacking the very capacity to decay or constitutionally break down. See 862a (aphthartos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aphthartos Definition incorruptibility NASB Translation immortality (2), imperishable (4), incorruptible (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 861: ἀφθαρσίαἀφθαρσία, ἀφθαρσίας, ἡ (ἄφθαρτος, cf. ἀκαθαρσία) (Tertullian and subsequent writingsincorruptibilitas, Vulg.incorruptio (andincorruptela)), incorruption, perpetuity: τοῦ κόσμου, Philo de incorr. round. § 11; it is ascribed to τό θεῖον in Plutarch, Aristotle, c. 6; of the body of man exempt from decay after the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:42 (ἐν ἀφθαρσία, namely, ὄν), 50, 53f; of a blessed immortality (Wis. 2:23 Wis. 6:19; 4 Macc. 17:12), Romans 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:10. τινα ἀγαπᾶν ἐν ἀφθαρσία to love one with never diminishing love, Ephesians 6:24 (cf. Meyer at the passage The word seems to have the meaning purity, sincerity, incorruptness in Titus 2:7 Rec.st). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 861 denotes a quality of being incapable of decay, dissolution, or moral corruption. Whether rendered “incorruptibility,” “imperishability,” “immortality,” or “undying,” it points to that which remains untouched by the forces of death, sin, or time. Old Testament Background While the exact Greek term is absent from the Hebrew Scriptures, its concept is foreshadowed wherever the everlasting nature of God, His covenant, and His throne are celebrated (for example, Psalm 16:10; Psalm 102:25-27; Isaiah 40:28). The Septuagint frequently opposes phthora (“corruption”) with God’s eternal ways, laying the groundwork for the New Testament’s contrast between perishable humanity and the imperishable divine life. Biblical Usage 1. Eschatological Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:42, 50, 53-54) Paul employs the term repeatedly in his resurrection chapter. “What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 15 climaxes with the declaration that “the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable.” The word pictures the transformed resurrection body—substantially real yet forever exempt from decay. 2. Ethical Aspiration (Romans 2:7) Eternal life is promised to those “who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality.” Incorruptibility here names a God-given goal believers actively pursue through Spirit-empowered obedience. 3. Christ-Centered Gospel Gift (2 Timothy 1:10) Through Christ’s appearing, God “has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” The term displays the gospel’s definitive victory over death and its unveiling of a quality of life unknown apart from Christ. 4. Covenant Love (Ephesians 6:24) “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” Incorruptibility becomes a hallmark of true Christian affection—love that neither cools nor deteriorates. 5. Ministerial Integrity (Titus 2:7) Titus is urged to show “integrity” in doctrine; the word depicts teaching free from corrupt motives or error, preserving the gospel’s purity. Theological Themes • Victory over Death: Incorruptibility assures believers that death is not merely postponed but defeated. Christological Fulfillment Jesus Christ embodies and secures incorruptibility. His resurrection proved the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16), and through union with Him, believers participate in that same life (Colossians 3:4). He is both the source (“brought…immortality to light”) and the pattern (“raised imperishable”) of all future resurrection. Eschatological Hope Incorruptibility grounds assurance of a new creation where “the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay” (Romans 8:21). The term anticipates a cosmos released from entropy, a community of saints whose bodies and relationships remain forever whole, and a worship that never fades. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Emphasize Christ’s gift of an imperishable inheritance to comfort the grieving and embolden sanctification. Historical Reception Early creeds echoed 1 Corinthians 15 in affirming “the resurrection of the body.” Church fathers contrasted aphtharsia with phthora to defend bodily resurrection against Gnostic spiritualizing. Reformers tied the term to the perseverance of the saints, stressing grace’s power to keep love and faith from decay. Relation to Other Biblical Concepts • Athanasia (“immortality,” 1 Timothy 6:16) stresses endless duration; aphtharsia stresses freedom from decay. Together these terms weave a tapestry of hope: the God who alone possesses immortality shares His incorruptible life with His people, ensuring their present faithfulness and future glory. Forms and Transliterations αφθαρσια αφθαρσία ἀφθαρσίᾳ αφθαρσιαν αφθαρσίαν ἀφθαρσίαν αφθοριαν ἀφθορίαν aphtharsia aphtharsíāi aphtharsian aphtharsían aphthorian aphthoríanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 2:7 N-AFSGRK: τιμὴν καὶ ἀφθαρσίαν ζητοῦσιν ζωὴν NAS: and honor and immortality, eternal KJV: honour and immortality, eternal life: INT: honor and immortality are seeking life 1 Corinthians 15:42 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 15:50 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 15:53 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 15:54 Noun-AFS Ephesians 6:24 N-DFS 2 Timothy 1:10 N-AFS Titus 2:7 N-AFS Strong's Greek 861 |
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