Brief Overview of ἀφθαρσία (G861: aphtharsia)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: aphtharsia

Root Words: Derived from ἄφθαρτος (aphthartos), meaning “incorruptible” or “imperishable.” This term, ἀφθαρσία (aphtharsia), literally translates to “incorruptibility” or “imperishability.”

Primary Meanings:

• Incorruptibility: Refers to the quality or state of being free from physical decay or moral decay, often used in theological or philosophical contexts to describe the divine or eternal nature of beings or concepts.
• Immortality: Commonly used to signify enduring existence, unaffected by time or death, particularly in discussions of the soul or the afterlife.
• Purity: In a broader sense, it can also imply a state of purity or cleanliness, free from adulteration or moral imperfection.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG emphasizes the term’s theological significance, noting it is used in the New Testament to describe the divine quality of immortality and purity, particularly in reference to the resurrection and the eternal nature of the divine.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Lexicon highlights the term’s usage to denote moral and physical incorruptibility, associating it with Christian doctrine concerning the resurrection and eternal life.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words discusses aphtharsia in the context of the inherent immortality and purity of God and the believers’ hope for a similar state in the afterlife.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon provides insights into the classical use of the term, detailing its application in philosophical texts to discuss concepts of immortality and the incorruptible nature of the gods and the cosmos.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines aphtharsia as “incorruptibility,” focusing on its scriptural implications concerning the nature of the resurrection body and the eternal life promised to believers.

Bible Verses:

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• 1 Corinthians 15:42 (KJV): “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.”
• 2 Timothy 1:10 (KJV): “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

3. Classic Greek Literature:

Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Plato: Plato uses aphtharsia to discuss the soul’s immortality and its ability to remain pure and unchanged by physical decay.
• Aristotle: In his metaphysical works, Aristotle discusses the incorruptibility of the celestial spheres and the eternal nature of the prime mover.
• Epicurus: Epicurus, while often focusing on the mortal nature of the soul, indirectly contributes to discussions of aphtharsia by contrasting it with his own teachings.

4. Summary:

ἀφθαρσία (aphtharsia) primarily means “incorruptibility” or “imperishability” and is significant in theological, philosophical, and moral discussions. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the qualities of immortality and purity, particularly relating to the resurrection and eternal life. Lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vines provide detailed insights into its profound implications in Christian theology, emphasizing its role in describing the divine nature and the believers’ ultimate transformation. Classical literature also explores these themes, offering philosophical perspectives on the nature of the divine and the cosmos. This term encapsulates a key concept in Christian eschatology and Platonic philosophy, reflecting a universal aspiration for an existence beyond the temporal and corruptible world.