Brief Overview of σκληρότης (Strong’s G4643: sklērotēs)

Strong’s G4643: A feminine noun meaning “hardness” or “stubbornness,” particularly of heart and spirit. Used by Paul in Romans to describe willful resistance to God’s goodness and patience, leading to increased judgment. Represents the spiritual condition of persistent unrepentance.

U- Unveiling the Word

Σκληρότης represents more than just physical hardness—it describes a spiritual condition of stubborn resistance to God’s grace. In its sole New Testament appearance (Romans 2:5), Paul uses it to warn about the serious consequences of persistent impenitence. Early church fathers extensively used this term to discuss the nature of human resistance to divine grace and the self-accumulating nature of judgment. Today, it continues to warn believers about the dangers of hardening oneself against God’s goodness.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: σκληρότης, sklērotēs, sklay-RO-tays
• Detailed Pronunciation: σκλη (sklay) ρό (RO) της (tays) – stress on second syllable
• Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Etymology:

• From σκληρός (hard, harsh)
• -της suffix indicating abstract quality
• Related to hardness in both physical and moral senses

D – Defining Meanings

• Hardness of heart
• Spiritual stubbornness
• Impenitent attitude
• Resistance to divine grace

Translation Options:

• Hardness – emphasizing the condition
• Stubbornness – focusing on willful resistance
• Impenitence – highlighting spiritual aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σκληροκαρδία (sklērokardia, sklay-ro-kar-DEE-ah) – See G4641: Hardness of heart
• πώρωσις (pōrōsis, PO-ro-sis) – See G4457: Callousness
• ἀπείθεια (apeitheia, a-PAY-thay-a) – See G543: Disobedience

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular (rarely plural)
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: Third declension

As an abstract noun, it typically appears in singular form with case endings following third declension patterns.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its moral and spiritual significance. Thayer’s notes its connection to impenitence. LSJ documents both literal and metaphorical uses. Vine’s highlights its sole NT appearance. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from moral discourse.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Romans 2:5: “But because of your stubbornness [hardness] [σκληρότης] and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath.”

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Σκληρότης powerfully warns about the danger of resisting God’s gracious call to repentance. Yet the good news is that King Jesus offers transformation through His Spirit, replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, showing that no hardness is beyond His power to soften.

D – Did You Know?

• Appears only once in the New Testament
• Used extensively in philosophical discussions about character
• Forms part of early Christian teaching about repentance

Strong’s G4643: A feminine noun meaning “hardness” or “stubbornness,” particularly of heart and spirit. Used by Paul in Romans to describe willful resistance to God’s goodness and patience, leading to increased judgment. Represents the spiritual condition of persistent unrepentance.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: hardness, stubbornness, impenitence, resistance, judgment, paul, romans, repentance, divine-patience, spiritual-condition, heart-condition, warning​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​