The term "imperishable" refers to that which is not subject to decay, corruption, or destruction. In the biblical context, it is often used to describe the eternal and incorruptible nature of certain spiritual realities, contrasting them with the perishable and transient nature of the physical world.

Biblical Usage

1. Eternal Life and Resurrection: The concept of imperishability is central to the Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, the Apostle Paul contrasts the perishable nature of the human body with the imperishable nature of the resurrected body: "So also is the resurrection of the dead: It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." . This passage emphasizes the transformation that believers will undergo, moving from a state of mortality to one of immortality.

2. The Word of God: The imperishable nature of God's Word is highlighted in 1 Peter 1:23-25: "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.'" . Here, the enduring and unchanging nature of God's Word is contrasted with the fleeting nature of human life and achievements.

3. Heavenly Inheritance: Believers are promised an inheritance that is imperishable. 1 Peter 1:4 describes this inheritance as "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you" . This assurance provides comfort and hope, affirming that the treasures laid up in heaven are secure and eternal, unlike earthly possessions that can be lost or destroyed.

4. Love and Good Works: The imperishable quality of love and good works is underscored in 1 Corinthians 13:8, where Paul states, "Love never fails." . While spiritual gifts and earthly accomplishments may fade, love endures eternally. Similarly, in 1 Timothy 6:18-19, believers are encouraged to "do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." . Good works, motivated by love, have an imperishable quality that transcends this life.

Theological Significance

The concept of imperishability is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of salvation and the eternal nature of God's promises. It underscores the belief that what is of God and aligned with His will is enduring and everlasting. This perspective encourages believers to focus on spiritual realities and eternal values, rather than being consumed by the temporary and often deceptive allure of the material world.

Practical Implications

For Christians, the call to pursue what is imperishable involves a commitment to living a life that reflects eternal values. This includes prioritizing spiritual growth, investing in relationships grounded in love, and engaging in acts of service that have lasting significance. The assurance of an imperishable inheritance motivates believers to persevere in faith, even amidst trials and challenges, with the confidence that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).(a.) Not perishable; not subject to decay; indestructible; enduring permanently; as, an imperishable monument; imperishable renown.862a. aphthartos -- undecaying, ie imperishable
... 862, 862a. aphthartos. 862b . undecaying, ie imperishable. Transliteration:
aphthartos Short Definition: imperishable. Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/862a.htm - 5k

862. aphthartos -- undecaying, ie imperishable
... undecaying, ie imperishable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aphthartos
Phonetic Spelling: (af'-thar-tos) Short Definition: imperishable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/862.htm - 6k

5517. choikos -- earthy, made of dust
... heavenly". 1 Cor 15:50: "Now I say this, brethren, inherit the kingdom
of God; does the perishable inherit the imperishable" (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5517.htm - 7k

861. aphtharsia -- incorruptibility
... See 862a (). Word Origin from aphthartos Definition incorruptibility NASB Word
Usage immortality (2), imperishable (4), incorruptible (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/861.htm - 7k

Fragment vi. And an Ark of Imperishable Wood was the Saviour ...
... Fragment VI. And an ark of imperishable wood was the Saviour Himself.?
And an ark of imperishable wood was the Saviour Himself. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/fragment vi and an ark.htm

On Psalm xxii. Or xxiii. From the Commentary by the Holy Bishop ...
... And, moreover, the ark made of imperishable wood was the Saviour Himself.
For by this was signified the imperishable and incorruptible ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on psalm xxii or xxiii.htm

The Realization of Selfless Love
... All else changes and passes away; this alone is permanent and imperishable; and
to realize this Love by ceaseless diligence in the practice of the highest ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of selfless love.htm

A Funeral Oration.
... from which they are evolved, ready to be re-combined into new forms of beauty; for
although individual existences perish, matter is imperishable; having had no ...
/.../a funeral oration.htm

Concerning Sovereign Lord, "Ancient of Days" in which Also ...
... for they do not always (merely) call all the things absolutely unoriginated and
really everlasting, eternal, but also things imperishable and immortal and ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput x concerning sovereign lord.htm

Plato's Self-Contradiction.
... of polytheism, will say that to these fashioned gods the maker said, "Since ye have
been produced, ye are not immortal, nor at all, imperishable; yet shall ye ...
/.../chapter xxiii platos self-contradiction.htm

The New Life after Death
... It is sown a perishable thing, it is raised imperishable; it is sown without honor,
it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the new life after death.htm

This Reasoning and Intelligent Creature, Man, at once the Work and ...
... This reasoning and intelligent creature, man, at once the work and the likeness
of the Divine and Imperishable Mind (for so in the Creation it is written of ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xii this reasoning and.htm

Then He Again Mentions S. Peter's Word
... discerns in each its proper nature, in the sense that while the human weakness is
changed for the better by its communion with the imperishable, the Divine ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 then he again.htm

The Children's Patrimony.
... This is an undefiled and imperishable treasure, which does not become worthless
at the grave, but which will continue to increase in preciousness as long as ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxiv the childrens patrimony.htm

Imperishable (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not perishable; not subject to decay; indestructible;
enduring permanently; as, an imperishable monument; imperishable renown. ...
/i/imperishable.htm - 9k

Perishable (9 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. ...
/p/perishable.htm - 9k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not mortal; exempt from liability to die; undying;
imperishable; lasting forever; having unlimited, or eternal, existence. ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Instead (139 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. (WEY). ...
/i/instead.htm - 36k

Nature (80 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:53 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself
with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with ...
/n/nature.htm - 35k

Unfading (3 Occurrences)
... Unfading (3 Occurrences). 1 Peter 1:4 to an inheritance imperishable, undefiled
and unfading, which has been reserved in Heaven for you, (WEY DBY YLT RSV). ...
/u/unfading.htm - 7k

Undying (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not dying; imperishable; unending; immortal; as,
the undying souls of men. Multi-Version Concordance Undying (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/undying.htm - 6k

Outward (17 Occurrences)
... werd, (exo, "outside," "without," "out of doors"): The body, subject to decay and
death, in distinction from the inner man, the imperishable spiritual life ...
/o/outward.htm - 13k

Germ (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:23 For you have been begotten again by God's ever-living and enduring
word from a germ not of perishable, but of imperishable life. (WEY). ...
/g/germ.htm - 7k

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped
images resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. ...
/w/worshipping.htm - 22k

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Imperishable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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