Understanding ἀδικία (adikia) Strong’s G93: Divine Justice’s Opposite – Exploring Unrighteousness in Scripture

Pronunciation Guide: ah-dee-KEE-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G93: ἀδικία (adikia) refers to wrongdoing, injustice, or unrighteousness. It represents a state or act of being unjust, particularly in violation of God’s standards of righteousness. This term encompasses both the action of wrongdoing and the resulting state of moral corruption, making it a comprehensive term for unrighteousness in all its forms.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Feminine Noun
• Root Words: Derived from ἄδικος (adikos), combining ἀ- (negative prefix) + δίκη (dikē, “justice”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative, epistolary, and theological discourse
• Literary Context: Frequently appears in ethical and moral teachings

ἀδικία Morphology:

• ἀδικία (nominative singular) – unrighteousness
• ἀδικίας (genitive singular) – of unrighteousness
• ἀδικίᾳ (dative singular) – in/with unrighteousness
• ἀδικίαν (accusative singular) – unrighteousness (direct object)
• ἀδικίαι (nominative plural) – unrighteousnesses
• ἀδικιῶν (genitive plural) – of unrighteousnesses

Origin & History

In classical Greek literature, ἀδικία emerged as a significant ethical and legal term. Plato extensively used it in “The Republic” to discuss injustice as the opposite of δικαιοσύνη (righteousness), particularly in his exploration of the just society and the human soul.

Aristotle, in his “Nicomachean Ethics,” further developed the concept, defining ἀδικία as a violation of proportional justice and equating it with taking more than one’s fair share. This classical understanding laid the groundwork for its later biblical usage.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Moral wrongdoing or wickedness
• Injustice or unfairness in dealings
• Violation of divine law
• State of being unrighteous
• Active opposition to righteousness

ἀδικία Translation Options:

• Unrighteousness – Best captures the moral and spiritual dimensions
• Injustice – Emphasizes the relational and social aspects
• Wickedness – Highlights the active nature of evil
• Iniquity – Traditional theological term that conveys severity
• Wrong – Simplest form, though may miss theological depth

Biblical Usage of ἀδικία

In the New Testament, ἀδικία frequently appears in contexts discussing human sinfulness and its opposition to God’s righteousness. The term is particularly prominent in John’s writings, where it stands in stark contrast to God’s perfect righteousness and truth. In Paul’s epistles, it often appears in vice lists and discussions of human depravity.

The Septuagint uses ἀδικία to translate several Hebrew terms related to sin and injustice, particularly עָוֹן (avon) and רֶשַׁע (resha), showing its broad semantic range in biblical thought.

Key verses include:

• “All ἀδικία unrighteousness is sin” 1 John 5:17
• “Who suppress the truth in ἀδικία unrighteousness” Romans 1:18
• “Cleanse us from all ἀδικία unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9
• “The wage of ἀδικία unrighteousness” 2 Peter 2:13
• “Servants of ἀδικία unrighteousness” Romans 6:13

Cultural Insights into ἀδικία

In ancient Greek society, ἀδικία was understood not merely as personal wrongdoing but as a disruption of the cosmic order. This concept resonated deeply in a culture that valued harmony and proper relationships between gods and humans, rulers and subjects, and individuals within the polis (city-state).

The term carried significant weight in legal contexts, where it described not only criminal acts but also civil wrongs that disturbed social harmony. This broader understanding helps explain why biblical authors chose this term to describe sin’s comprehensive impact on both individual and communal relationships.

Theological Significance of ἀδικία

ἀδικία represents more than mere wrongdoing; it embodies active opposition to God’s righteous character and divine order. It stands as the antithesis to God’s δικαιοσύνη (righteousness), highlighting the fundamental conflict between human sinfulness and divine holiness.

This term plays a crucial role in biblical soteriology, as it helps explain why humanity needs divine intervention for salvation. The universal presence of ἀδικία demonstrates why the Messiah’s righteousness is necessary for human redemption, as no amount of human effort can overcome this fundamental unrighteousness.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀδικία challenges believers to examine their lives for areas where they might be acting contrary to God’s righteous standards. It calls for regular self-examination and repentance, recognizing that even believers can harbor unrighteousness that needs to be brought into the light of God’s truth.

This word study should inspire gratitude for Christ’s work in cleansing us from all unrighteousness and motivate us to pursue righteousness actively in our daily lives.

Related to ἀδικία

• ἀνομία (anomia) [ah-no-MEE-ah] – lawlessness, emphasizes violation of divine law. See G458
• ἁμαρτία (hamartia) [ha-mar-TEE-ah] – sin, missing the mark of God’s standard. See G266
• πονηρία (ponēria) [po-nay-REE-ah] – evil, emphasizes active malice. See G4189
• ἀσέβεια (asebeia) [ah-SEH-bay-ah] – ungodliness, emphasizes impiety. See G763

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek courts, ἀδικία was often used to describe commercial fraud, showing how the concept applied to everyday business ethics as well as moral behavior.
• The word appears in ancient Greek medical texts to describe physical abnormalities, suggesting that unrighteousness was sometimes viewed as a disease of the soul needing healing.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀδικία to describe injustice, particularly in legal and ethical contexts, maintaining much of its ancient meaning.

Remember This

ἀδικία represents not just the absence of righteousness, but active opposition to God’s perfect standard—a condition only His grace can remedy.