Pronunciation Guide: ah-DEE-kay-mah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G92: An act of wrongdoing or injustice; a specific instance of unrighteous behavior that violates divine or human law. This term emphasizes the concrete manifestation of unjust actions rather than the abstract concept of injustice.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)
• Root Word: From ἀδικέω (adikeō, “to do wrong”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Legal and ethical contexts, narrative literature

Word Morphology:

• ἀδίκημα (nominative/accusative singular) – a wrongdoing
• ἀδικήματος (genitive singular) – of a wrongdoing
• ἀδικήματι (dative singular) – in/by/with a wrongdoing
• ἀδικήματα (nominative/accusative plural) – wrongdoings
• ἀδικημάτων (genitive plural) – of wrongdoings
• ἀδικήμασι(ν) (dative plural) – in/by/with wrongdoings

Word Origin & History

The term ἀδίκημα emerges from the combination of the negative prefix ἀ- (“not”) and the root δίκη (“justice, right”), forming a concrete noun denoting specific acts that violate justice. In classical Greek literature, this word appears prominently in legal contexts, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle when discussing matters of justice and civic responsibility.

Demosthenes, in his “Against Meidias,” uses ἀδίκημα to describe specific offenses against both individuals and the state, highlighting its significance in ancient Greek jurisprudence. The term maintained its precise legal connotation while developing broader moral implications in Hellenistic literature.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A specific act of wrongdoing or injustice
• A violation of law or moral standards
• An offense against divine or human justice
• A concrete manifestation of unrighteous behavior

Translation Options:

1. “Wrongdoing” – Best captures the concrete nature of the term as a specific act
2. “Offense” – Emphasizes the legal aspect while maintaining accessibility
3. “Unjust deed” – Highlights the moral dimension while preserving the action-oriented nature

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀδίκημα appears in contexts emphasizing specific instances of wrongdoing rather than general unrighteousness. Its usage often carries legal overtones, particularly in Acts where it appears in judicial settings. The term is significant in how it distinguishes between abstract concepts of injustice and concrete acts that violate God’s standards of righteousness.

The Septuagint employs ἀδίκημα to translate Hebrew terms related to specific transgressions, particularly in legal and prophetic texts where precise identification of wrongful acts is crucial.

• Acts 18:14 – “If it were a matter of wrong [ἀδίκημα] or wicked crimes…”
• Acts 24:20 – “Let them say what wrongdoing [ἀδίκημα] they found…”
• Revelation 18:5 – “For her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wrongdoings [ἀδικήματα].”

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greek courts, the distinction between ἀδίκημα (a specific wrongdoing) and ἀδικία (general injustice) was crucial for legal proceedings. Prosecutors had to demonstrate concrete acts (ἀδικήματα) rather than merely alleging general misconduct. This precision in Greek legal thought influenced both Jewish and early Christian understanding of sin and righteousness.

The concept also played a significant role in Greek philosophical discussions about justice, particularly in Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics,” where he distinguishes between unintentional mistakes and deliberate wrongdoings (ἀδικήματα).

Theological Significance

The use of ἀδίκημα in Scripture reveals God’s concern not just with abstract righteousness but with specific acts that violate His perfect standard of justice. This specificity demonstrates His attention to detail in matters of justice and His perfect knowledge of human actions.

The term’s usage in judicial contexts in Acts highlights the intersection of divine and human justice systems, showing how early Christians navigated both realms while maintaining their primary allegiance to God’s standards of righteousness.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀδίκημα challenges believers to examine not just their general spiritual condition but specific actions that might violate God’s standards of justice. This word reminds us that righteousness isn’t merely an abstract concept but manifests in concrete choices and actions in our daily lives.

Related Words

• ἀδικία (adikia) [ah-dee-KEE-ah] – unrighteousness, injustice in general. See G93
• ἀδικέω (adikeō) [ah-dee-KEH-oh] – to do wrong, act unjustly. See G91
• παράπτωμα (paraptōma) [pah-RAP-toh-mah] – trespass, specific offense. See G3900
• ἁμαρτία (hamartia) [hah-mar-TEE-ah] – sin, missing the mark. See G266

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek law courts, lawyers had to specify the exact ἀδίκημα being charged, similar to modern legal requirements for specific charges rather than general accusations.
• The concept of ἀδίκημα influenced early Christian theological development regarding the nature of sin, helping establish the understanding that sin involves specific acts contrary to God’s nature, not just general imperfection.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀδίκημα in legal contexts, particularly in criminal law, maintaining its ancient precision in describing specific wrongful acts.

Remember This

Every ἀδίκημα (wrongdoing) matters to God, for His perfect justice sees and addresses not just the general condition of unrighteousness but every specific act that violates His holy standards.