Lexical Summary adiaphthoria: Incorruptibility, purity, integrity Original Word: ἀδιαφθορία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance soundness, purityFrom a derivative of a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of diaphtheiro; incorruptibleness, i.e. (figuratively) purity (of doctrine) -- uncorruptness. see GREEK a see GREEK diaphtheiro NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for aphthoria, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 90: ἀδιαφθορίαἀδιαφθορία, (ας, ἡ (from ἀδιάφθορος incorrupt, incorruptible; and this from ἀδιαφθείρω), incorruptibility, soundness, integrity: of mind, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλία, Titus 2:7 (L T Tr WH ἀφθορίαν). Not found in the classics. Topical Lexicon Concept and Semantic Fieldἀδιαφθορία signifies an unbroken state of moral and spiritual soundness—an incorruptness that remains untouched by decay, dilution, or compromise. Although this particular noun does not occur in the Greek New Testament, the idea it conveys is woven throughout Scripture, often expressed by related terms such as ἁγιωσύνη (“holiness”), ἀφθαρσία (“incorruptibility”), and καθαρότης (“purity”). Together these terms portray a quality that belongs supremely to God, is imparted to believers through the new birth, and is destined to characterize the redeemed creation. Old Testament Foundations The Septuagint uses cognate language to depict the LORD’s unchanging fidelity and the enduring integrity expected of His covenant people. Examples include: Such passages frame incorruptness as both an attribute of God’s revelation and the ethical calling of Israel. New Testament Parallels While ἀδιαφθορία itself is absent from the canonical Greek text, its concept surfaces repeatedly: These occurrences show that the gospel produces and guarantees a life free from the corruption of sin and death. Relation to Other Greek Terms 1. ἀφθαρσία (incorruptibility) — Emphasizes freedom from decay, especially in resurrection contexts. ἀδιαφθορία gathers these strands into a single picture of integrity that is both inwardly pure and outwardly consistent. Patristic and Early Christian Usage Early church writings employ ἀδιαφθορία to commend saints who preserved orthodox teaching without compromise. Ignatius of Antioch exhorts believers to “follow the bishop as Jesus Christ followed the Father, that all may remain in incorruptness.” This shows the term’s role in maintaining doctrinal purity alongside moral integrity. Theological Significance 1. God’s Nature: Incorruptness belongs inherently to the triune God; His character, word, and promises cannot be tainted (James 1:17). Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Teaching: Sound doctrine must be guarded so that the church’s witness remains free from doctrinal decay (1 Timothy 6:20). Pastoral Encouragement Believers pursue incorruptness not by self-reliance but by the Spirit’s power. “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) Summary Though ἀδιαφθορία appears nowhere in the New Testament text itself, its message resounds throughout Scripture: God is incorrupt, His word is pure, and His people are called to share and display that same purity in doctrine, conduct, and hope until the day when “this mortal body puts on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:53) Forms and Transliterations αδιαφθορίανLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance ἀδήλως — 1 Occ.ἀδημονεῖν — 2 Occ. ἀδημονῶν — 1 Occ. ᾅδῃ — 1 Occ. ᾅδην — 2 Occ. ᾅδης — 3 Occ. ᾅδου — 4 Occ. ἀδιάκριτος — 1 Occ. ἀδιάλειπτον — 1 Occ. ἀδιάλειπτος — 1 Occ. ἀδικῆσαι — 4 Occ. ἀδικήσαντος — 1 Occ. ἀδικησάτω — 1 Occ. ἀδικήσῃ — 1 Occ. ἀδικήσῃς — 1 Occ. ἀδικήσητε — 1 Occ. ἀδικήσουσιν — 1 Occ. ἀδικηθῇ — 1 Occ. ἀδικηθέντος — 1 Occ. ἀδικεῖσθε — 1 Occ. |
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