Pronunciation Guide: ah-ker-AH-yos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G185: ἀκέραιος (akeraios) describes something unmixed, pure, or uncontaminated in its original state. The word carries the idea of moral integrity and sincerity, depicting something or someone free from deceit or corruption. In biblical usage, it often refers to the character quality of being innocent, guileless, and morally pure.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Compound word from ἀ- (negative prefix) and κεράννυμι (kerannymi, “to mix”)
• Primary usage in teaching and ethical instruction
• Found in both narrative and epistolary literature
• Classical Greek origin

ἀκέραιος Morphology:

• ἀκέραιος (nominative singular masculine/feminine) – pure, unmixed
• ἀκέραιον (nominative/accusative singular neuter) – pure thing
• ἀκέραιοι (nominative plural masculine/feminine) – pure ones
• ἀκεραίους (accusative plural masculine/feminine) – pure ones (object)
• ἀκεραίων (genitive plural) – of pure ones

Origin & History

The term ἀκέραιος originates from classical Greek commerce, where it described metals that were unmixed and therefore at their highest value and purity. Plato used it in “Republic” to describe the philosophical ideal of an untainted soul. In Xenophon’s “Cyropaedia,” the word appears in discussions of character, describing those whose moral integrity remained unblemished by corruption.

The compound structure reveals its rich meaning: the negative prefix ἀ- combined with κεράννυμι (“to mix”) literally means “unmixed” or “unalloyed.” This etymology emphasizes the concept of maintaining one’s original pure state without contamination.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Something in its original, pure state without mixture or contamination
• Morally untainted, free from deceit or corruption
• Simple, innocent, without guile or hidden motives
• Whole, complete, undamaged in character

ἀκέραιος Translation Options:

• “Pure” – Emphasizes the unmixed, uncontaminated aspect
• “Innocent” – Highlights the moral and ethical dimension
• “Guileless” – Stresses the absence of deceit or ulterior motives
• “Untainted” – Captures both moral purity and original state
• “Simple” – Reflects sincerity and straightforwardness

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀκέραιος appears in contexts emphasizing spiritual wisdom and moral character. Its first appearance in Matthew 10:16 presents a fascinating paradox where Jesus instructs His disciples to be “wise as serpents and ἀκέραιος as doves,” suggesting a pure-hearted wisdom that maintains integrity while navigating challenging situations.

The apostle Paul employs this term to describe the desired state of believers in their witness to the world. Its usage suggests not just moral purity but a kind of spiritual authenticity that remains uncontaminated by worldly influences while engaging with society.

Key appearances include:

• “Be wise as serpents and innocent [ἀκέραιος] as doves” Matthew 10:16
• “That you may be blameless and innocent [ἀκέραιος], children of God without blemish” Philippians 2:15
• “I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent [ἀκέραιος] as to what is evil” Romans 16:19

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean culture, the concept of ἀκέραιος was particularly valued in commercial transactions involving precious metals. Merchants would test silver and gold to ensure they were ἀκέραιος – unmixed with inferior metals. This commercial background adds depth to the biblical usage, suggesting that believers should be like pure, unalloyed precious metals in their character and conduct.

The metaphor of doves being ἀκέραιος in Matthew 10:16 would have resonated deeply with first-century readers. Doves were considered symbols of purity and innocence in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, often used in religious ceremonies because of their perceived untainted nature.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀκέραιος in biblical texts reveals God’s desire for His people to maintain spiritual and moral purity while living in a corrupted world. This concept parallels the Messiah’s own nature as the pure and spotless Lamb of God, suggesting that believers are called to reflect His untainted character.

The juxtaposition of wisdom and ἀκέραιος in Matthew 10:16 presents a profound theological truth: godly wisdom doesn’t compromise purity. Rather, true spiritual wisdom enables believers to maintain their integrity while navigating complex moral situations. This reflects God’s perfect nature, combining absolute purity with infinite wisdom.

Personal Application

In our modern context, living as ἀκέραιος believers means maintaining spiritual and moral integrity in a world that often pressures us to compromise. This doesn’t call for naive isolation but rather for a pure-hearted engagement with our surroundings, combining practical wisdom with unwavering moral principles.

Consider areas where your character might have become “mixed” with worldly values or compromised ethics. The call to be ἀκέραιος challenges us to examine our motives, actions, and attitudes, seeking to maintain pure devotion to God while wisely engaging with our culture.

Related Words

• ἄδολος (adolos) – without deceit, genuine, pure [ah-DOL-os] – Emphasizes the absence of deceptive intentions – See G97
• εἰλικρινής (eilikrines) – pure, sincere, genuine [ay-lee-kree-NACE] – Focuses on moral sincerity and transparency – See G1506
• ἁγνός (hagnos) – pure, holy, chaste [hag-NOSE] – Relates to ritual and moral purity – See G53
• καθαρός (katharos) – clean, pure, undefiled [kath-ar-OSE] – Describes both physical and moral cleanliness – See G2513

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀκέραιος was so important in ancient commerce that specialized testers were employed in marketplaces to verify the purity of metals, ensuring they were truly ἀκέραιος before major transactions.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀκέραιος to describe whole numbers in mathematics, preserving the original sense of something complete and undivided.
• The combination of “wise as serpents and ἀκέραιος as doves” in Matthew 10:16 creates a unique linguistic paradox that appears nowhere else in ancient literature, highlighting the distinctive nature of Christian ethics.

Remember This

ἀκέραιος calls believers to maintain pure, uncompromised integrity while navigating life with God-given wisdom – like precious metal refined to perfection, valuable precisely because it remains unmixed.