Brief Overview of σαπρός (Strong’s G4550: sapros)

Strong’s G4550: An adjective denoting that which is rotten, putrid, or corrupted by age. In New Testament usage, it describes both physical decay and moral corruption, particularly in Jesus’ teachings about fruit-bearing and speech, emphasizing the connection between inner character and outward manifestation.

U- Unveiling the Word

Σαπρός primarily describes something that has deteriorated beyond usefulness, whether physically rotten or morally corrupt. In the New Testament, Jesus uses this word powerfully in His teachings about good and bad fruit (Matthew 7:17-18) and corrupt speech (Ephesians 4:29). The early church understood this term as more than just physical decay; it represented the spiritual deterioration that occurs when one lives apart from God’s transforming grace. Today, σαπρός reminds us that our words and actions reflect our spiritual condition, challenging believers to examine the “fruit” of their lives.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σαπρός, sapros, /sap-ros’/
• Pronunciation Guide: ‘sap’ as in ‘sapphire’, ‘ros’ as in ‘ross’
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: From σήπω (sēpō) meaning “to make rotten”
• Related to Proto-Indo-European *sap- meaning “to decay”
• Suffix: -ρος (-ros) forms adjectives indicating a state or condition

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: Rotten, putrid, corrupted
• Secondary meanings: Worthless, harmful, morally corrupt
• Metaphorical: Spiritually deficient or destructive

Translation Options:

• Rotten – Best captures both physical and moral decay
• Corrupt – Emphasizes moral deterioration
• Worthless – Focuses on the unusable aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• φθαρτός (phthartos) /fthar-tos’/ – Perishable or corruptible, but focusing on the process rather than the end state. See G5349
• ἄχρηστος (achrestos) /akh’-race-tos/ – Unprofitable or useless, without the connotation of decay. See G888
• πονηρός (poneros) /pon-ay-ros’/ – Evil or wicked, emphasizing active malevolence. See G4190

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as an adjective:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular and Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Masculine: σαπρός (sapros)
• Feminine: σαπρά (sapra)
• Neuter: σαπρόν (sapron)
• Plural: σαπροί (saproi)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both the physical and moral aspects of σαπρός. Thayer’s highlights its use in describing fruit and speech. LSJ traces its development from physical rottenness to moral corruption in classical Greek. Vine’s notes its application to worthless fruit and harmful speech. Strong’s connects it to the process of decay. Moulton and Milligan document its common usage in papyri regarding spoiled goods and moral character.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 7:17: “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt [σαπρὸν] tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

Additional References:
Matthew 7:18, Matthew 12:33, Matthew 13:48, Luke 6:43, Ephesians 4:29

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Σαπρός powerfully illustrates the principle that internal corruption manifests in external ways. Jesus used this word to teach that our speech and actions reveal our spiritual condition. The good news is that through Christ’s transformative power, what was once corrupt can be made new. This word reminds us that genuine faith produces good fruit, demonstrating the reality of God’s regenerating work in our lives.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears in ancient medical texts describing gangrenous tissue
2. Medieval Greek church fathers used it metaphorically for heretical teachings
3. It’s one of the few Greek words that maintained both its literal and metaphorical meanings consistently throughout ancient literature

Strong’s G4550: An adjective describing physical and moral corruption, used in New Testament to illustrate the relationship between inner character and outward manifestation. Applied to both literal decay and spiritual deterioration, particularly in contexts of fruit-bearing and speech.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: corruption, decay, fruit-bearing, character, speech, moral-corruption, transformation, teaching-of-jesus, spiritual-condition, regeneration​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​