Pronunciation Guide: ah-MAR-tu-ros

Basic Definition

Strong’s G267: A compound adjective meaning “without witness” or “not without witness.” In biblical usage, it specifically refers to God’s continuous self-attestation through creation and providence. This word appears in contexts emphasizing that God has never left Himself without testimony to His existence and goodness, even among those who don’t have direct access to special revelation.

Etymology and Morphology

• Adjective derived from ἀ- (negative prefix) + μάρτυς (witness)
• Used primarily in narrative and apologetic contexts
• Classical Greek origin
• Rare in biblical Greek (hapax legomenon in NT)
• Found in philosophical and legal contexts in extra-biblical literature

ἀμάρτυρος Morphology:

• ἀμάρτυρος (nominative singular masculine/feminine) – without witness
• ἀμάρτυρον (accusative singular masculine/feminine/neuter) – without witness
• ἀμάρτυροι (nominative plural masculine/feminine) – without witness
• ἀμαρτύρους (accusative plural masculine/feminine) – without witness

Origin & History

The term ἀμάρτυρος has roots in classical Greek legal terminology, where it was used to describe situations or claims lacking proper testimony or evidence. Plato uses it in his “Laws” (891e) when discussing the importance of witnesses in legal proceedings. The word appears in Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War” (1.73) referring to deeds that don’t go unwitnessed.

The transition from legal contexts to theological usage represents a significant semantic development. In theological discourse, it became a powerful term for discussing divine self-revelation, particularly in apologetic contexts where philosophers and theologians argued for God’s continuous self-disclosure through nature and providence.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Lacking witness or testimony
• Not left without evidence
• Having no formal attestation
• Without corroborating proof

ἀμάρτυρος Translation Options:

• “Not without witness” – Preferred when expressing divine self-revelation through creation (Acts 14:17)
• “Unwitnessed” – Useful in more general contexts discussing lack of testimony
• “Without evidence” – Appropriate in legal or philosophical contexts
• “Not lacking testimony” – Helpful when emphasizing God’s continuous self-attestation

Biblical Usage

The word ἀμάρτυρος appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 14:17, where Paul and Barnabas are addressing pagans in Lystra. The context is crucial – they’re speaking to people without knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, demonstrating that God’s revelation extends beyond special revelation to include natural revelation.

Though rare in biblical Greek, its theological significance far outweighs its frequency. The concept it expresses aligns with broader biblical themes of God’s self-revelation through creation, as seen in Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:19-20.

• “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness [ἀμάρτυρον]” Acts 14:17

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, legal proceedings required multiple witnesses for validity. The concept of being “without witness” would have carried serious implications in both legal and social contexts. The use of ἀμάρτυρος in Acts 14:17 brilliantly adapts this cultural-legal concept to theology, effectively arguing that creation itself serves as God’s “legal witness” to all humanity.

This concept would have resonated particularly with the Greek-speaking audience in Lystra, who were familiar with both legal requirements for witnesses and philosophical arguments for divine existence based on natural observation. Paul and Barnabas effectively bridge Hebrew theological concepts with Hellenistic philosophical understanding.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀμάρτυρος in Acts 14:17 presents a profound theological truth: God never leaves Himself without witness to any people group. This demonstrates His universal love and desire for all people to know Him. It affirms that even before special revelation (Scripture) reaches a people group, God has already been testifying to His existence and character through general revelation.

This word carries significant implications for understanding the relationship between natural and special revelation. While Scripture provides the clearest testimony to God’s character and redemptive plan, ἀμάρτυρος reminds us that God’s witness through creation provides a foundation for all people to recognize His existence and some aspects of His nature.

The negative construction (ἀ- prefix) paradoxically emphasizes the positive reality – God’s continuous self-disclosure. This linguistic feature powerfully communicates that at no point in human history has God been silent or hidden.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀμάρτυρος challenges us to recognize God’s testimony in our daily lives. Every rainfall, every harvest, every breath of air testifies to His goodness and provision. This awareness should transform how we view the world around us – not as a mere collection of natural phenomena, but as an ongoing testimony to God’s character and care.

When we feel distant from God or struggle to sense His presence, ἀμάρτυρος reminds us to look for His witness in the simple gifts of daily provision and natural beauty. It calls us to be more attentive to His continuous self-revelation in both Scripture and creation.

Related Words

• μάρτυς (martus) – witness, martyr; one who testifies to truth even unto death – See G3144
• μαρτυρέω (martureo) – to bear witness, testify; to give evidence of what one has seen or knows – See G3140
• μαρτυρία (marturia) – testimony, witness; the content of what is testified – See G3141
• διαμαρτύρομαι (diamarturomai) – to testify earnestly, to charge solemnly – See G1263

Did you Know?

• The concept behind ἀμάρτυρος played a crucial role in early Christian apologetics, particularly in Justin Martyr’s dialogue with Trypho, where he argues for God’s universal self-revelation to all peoples.
• The legal background of ἀμάρτυρος in Greek culture required a minimum of two or three witnesses for valid testimony, making the idea that nature itself serves as God’s witness particularly powerful to ancient audiences.
• Modern environmental theology often draws on the concept of ἀμάρτυρος to argue for creation care, seeing the natural world not just as resources to be used but as God’s ongoing testimony to humanity.

Remember This

God’s witness never ceases – in every raindrop, every sunset, and every breath, He testifies to His existence, goodness, and care for His creation.