Understanding ἄτιμος (atimos) Strong’s G820: The Profound Impact of Being Without Honor in Biblical Context

Pronunciation Guide: AH-tee-mos (ἄτιμος)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G820: ἄτιμος describes a state of being without honor, unhonored, or treated with contempt. This powerful term combines the negative prefix ‘α-‘ with ‘τιμή’ (honor), literally meaning “without honor” or “deprived of honor.” In the ancient world where honor was paramount to social standing and identity, this word carried deep cultural and emotional weight.

Etymology and Morphology

• Adjective derived from α- (negative prefix) + τιμή (honor, price, value)
• Common in narrative and teaching passages
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Appears in classical Greek literature and Hellenistic texts
• Found in both attributive and predicate positions

ἄτιμος Morphology:

• ἄτιμος (nominative singular masculine/feminine) – without honor
• ἄτιμον (accusative singular masculine/feminine) – without honor (direct object)
• ἄτιμοι (nominative plural masculine/feminine) – without honor (plural)
• ἀτίμους (accusative plural masculine/feminine) – without honor (plural direct object)

Origin & History

The concept of honor (τιμή) was fundamental in ancient Greek society, making its negation (ἄτιμος) a particularly potent term. In classical Athens, ἄτιμος was a legal term describing someone stripped of civic rights and privileges, effectively a form of civil death. Plato uses it in “Republic” (555c) to describe those excluded from political participation, while Xenophon employs it in “Memorabilia” (2.1.19) to describe those who have lost social standing.

In the Septuagint, ἄτιμος appears in prophetic literature, particularly in Isaiah’s description of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:3), where it powerfully foreshadows the Messiah’s rejection. The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his First Epistle (16:7), drew on this connection to explain the paradox of the Messiah’s suffering.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Without honor or respect in society
• Treated with contempt or disdain
• Deprived of privileges or rights
• Considered worthless or of no value

ἄτιμος Translation Options:

• “Without honor” – emphasizes the absence of social standing
• “Dishonored” – captures the active sense of honor being removed
• “Despised” – reflects the emotional and social impact
• “Treated with contempt” – emphasizes the ongoing nature of the dishonor
• “Held in no regard” – captures the passive sense of being overlooked

Biblical Usage

The term appears most prominently in contexts describing rejection of God’s messengers and the Messiah Himself. In Matthew 13:57, Jesus applies this term to Himself, noting that a prophet is ἄτιμος in his hometown, highlighting the painful irony of rejection by those who should know Him best.

The apostle Paul employs ἄτιμος in his discourse on the body of Messiah, contrasting seemingly “honorable” and “dishonorable” parts to demonstrate God’s sovereign purpose in assigning honor (1 Corinthians 12:23).

Key verses:

• “A prophet is not without honor [ἄτιμος] except in his hometown and in his own household.” Matthew 13:57
• “And those members of the body that we think less honorable [ἄτιμος]” 1 Corinthians 12:23
• “When we are dishonored [ἄτιμοι], we bless” 1 Corinthians 4:10

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, honor was not merely about personal reputation but was the fundamental currency of social interaction. Being ἄτιμος meant more than simple disrespect; it often resulted in economic hardship, social isolation, and family shame. The concept was so significant that in ancient Athens, certain crimes were punished by declaring someone ἄτιμος, effectively making them civic non-persons.

This cultural background illuminates Jesus’ experience in Nazareth, where His status as ἄτιμος wasn’t merely about personal rejection but represented a complete denial of His authority and divine identity by His own community. This parallels the Hebrew concept of ‘kalón’ (קָלוֹן), shame or dishonor, which appears frequently in prophetic literature.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἄτιμος plays a crucial role in understanding the Messiah’s suffering and the paradox of God’s kingdom. Jesus, the King of Glory, willingly became ἄτιμος, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of the Suffering Servant who was “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). This divine self-emptying demonstrates how God’s power operates through apparent weakness and His honor through apparent dishonor.

Paul’s usage in his letters reveals how being ἄτιμος for the Messiah’s sake becomes a badge of honor for believers, inverting worldly values. This paradox – that God chooses what the world considers ἄτιμος to shame the “honorable” – stands at the heart of the gospel message and challenges our understanding of true honor.

Personal Application

Understanding ἄτιμος challenges us to examine our own values and sources of honor. When we face rejection or contempt for our faith, we stand in a long line of faithful witnesses who were considered ἄτιμος by the world but were precious in God’s sight. This can comfort believers facing persecution or social opposition today.

Moreover, recognizing how Jesus embraced the status of ἄτιμος for our sake should transform how we view shame, honor, and social status. It calls us to find our worth not in worldly recognition but in our identity as God’s beloved children.

Related Words

• τιμή (timē) – honor, price, value; the positive counterpart showing what ἄτιμος lacks. Pronounced “tee-MAY” See G5092
• ἀτιμάζω (atimazō) – to dishonor, treat with contempt; the verbal form related to ἄτιμος. Pronounced “ah-tee-MAD-zoh” See G818
• ἀτιμία (atimia) – dishonor, shame; the abstract noun form. Pronounced “ah-tee-MEE-ah” See G819
• δόξα (doxa) – glory, honor; often contrasted with ἄτιμος. Pronounced “DOX-ah” See G1391

Did you Know?

• In ancient Athens, being declared ἄτιμος was a formal legal status that prevented individuals from participating in public life, owning property, or even entering certain temples. It was considered a punishment worse than exile because the person had to remain in the city and witness their own social death.
• The concept of ἄτιμος in the New Testament often parallels the Hebrew term נִבְזֶה (nivzeh) used in Isaiah 53:3, creating a powerful linguistic bridge between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment in Jesus’ life.
• Modern Greek still uses the word ἄτιμος, though its meaning has evolved to mean “dishonest” or “dishonorable” in character, rather than referring to social status. This shows how the word’s emphasis has shifted from external honor to internal moral quality.

Remember This

ἄτιμος reminds us that in God’s kingdom, true honor often comes through willing acceptance of worldly dishonor for His sake, just as our Messiah demonstrated.