Pronunciation Guide: ah-koo-ROH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G208: ἀκυρόω is a powerful verb meaning to invalidate, make void, or deprive of authority and force. It carries the weighty concept of rendering something powerless or nullifying its intended effect. In biblical usage, it often appears in contexts where human traditions or actions attempt to invalidate divine commands.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (Present Active Indicative)
• Compound word from ἀ- (negative prefix) and κῦρος (authority, power)
• Primary usage in teaching and narrative sections
• Classical Greek legal term

ἀκυρόω Morphology:

• ἀκυρόω (present active indicative) – I make void
• ἀκυροῦτε (present active indicative, 2nd person plural) – you make void
• ἀκυρῶν (present active participle) – making void
• ἀκυρῶσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to make void
• ἠκύρωσεν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she made void

Origin & History

The term ἀκυρόω emerged from ancient Greek legal vocabulary, where it played a crucial role in judicial and administrative contexts. In Plato’s “Laws,” the word appears in discussions about the nullification of legal contracts. Demosthenes, the renowned Athenian orator, employed it in his speeches when addressing the invalidation of decrees and legal documents.

The concept evolved from strictly legal applications to broader usage in Hellenistic Greek, where it began to encompass the idea of rendering anything powerless or ineffective. This semantic development set the stage for its powerful theological applications in the New Testament.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To make void or invalid
• To deprive of force or authority
• To cancel or nullify
• To render ineffective or powerless

ἀκυρόω Translation Options:

• “Make void” – Emphasizes the complete nullification of something’s power or validity
• “Invalidate” – Highlights the legal aspect of rendering something powerless
• “Nullify” – Stresses the active process of making something ineffective
• “Cancel” – Emphasizes the termination of authority or validity
• “Override” – Suggests superseding or countermanding established authority

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀκυρόω appears in particularly significant contexts regarding the relationship between human traditions and divine commands. Its first appearance in Matthew 15:6 sets the tone for its theological significance, where Yeshua confronts the Pharisees about nullifying God’s word through their traditions.

The word carries special weight in Paul’s epistles, particularly in his discussion of the relationship between the covenant promises and the law. In Galatians, Paul employs it to emphasize the unchangeable nature of God’s promises despite temporal circumstances.

• “Thus you have made void [ἀκυρόω] the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” Matthew 15:6
• “Does the law then make void [ἀκυρόω] the promises of God?” Galatians 3:17
• “So you also have made void [ἀκυρόω] the commandment of God.” Mark 7:13

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of nullifying or making void carried profound implications, particularly in relation to vows and sacred obligations. The Mishnah contains extensive discussions about the conditions under which vows could be annulled (hafarat nedarim), reflecting the serious nature of invalidating any commitment made before God.

The cultural context of ἀκυρόω in Matthew 15:6 relates to the practice of Corban, where people would declare their property as dedicated to God while retaining its use, thereby avoiding their responsibility to care for their parents. This manipulation of religious law to circumvent moral obligations precisely exemplifies the kind of nullification Yeshua condemned.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀκυρόω in the New Testament presents a profound warning about the human tendency to elevate tradition above divine command. When Yeshua confronts the Pharisees’ practice of nullifying God’s word, He reveals a timeless spiritual danger: the subtle replacement of divine authority with human wisdom and tradition.

This word carries particular weight in Paul’s discussion of the relationship between the Abrahamic covenant and the Mosaic law in Galatians. By using ἀκυρόω, Paul emphasizes that God’s covenant promises cannot be invalidated or made void by subsequent arrangements, underscoring the immutable nature of God’s commitments to His people.

Personal Application

Examining ἀκυρόω challenges us to consider ways we might unconsciously nullify God’s word in our own lives. Just as the Pharisees created elaborate systems that effectively cancelled God’s commands, we too can develop practices or traditions that, while appearing spiritual, actually diminish the force of Scripture in our lives.

This word calls us to regularly examine our hearts and ask: Are we allowing anything—traditions, cultural practices, or personal preferences—to make void the clear commands of Scripture? The solution lies in maintaining the supremacy of God’s word over all human traditions and interpretations.

Related Words

• καταργέω (katargeō) – to render inactive, abolish – Similar in nullifying effect but focuses more on rendering powerless rather than invalidating authority See G2673
• ἀθετέω (atheteō) – to reject, set aside – Carries the notion of willful rejection rather than just invalidation See G114
• λύω (luō) – to loose, destroy – Related to undoing or destroying but without the specific legal connotations See G3089
• καταλύω (kataluō) – to dissolve, demolish – More intense form of destruction or dissolution See G2647

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀκυρόω in ancient Greek courts required specific legal procedures and witnesses to officially invalidate a document or contract, showing the formal weight this word carried in classical times.
• In modern Greek, ἀκυρόω is still used in legal contexts, particularly for the annulment of marriages or contracts, maintaining its ancient connection to official invalidation.
• The root word κῦρος (authority) is related to the name “Cyrus,” the Persian king whom God used to fulfill His prophecies, adding an interesting historical connection to divine authority and its human administrators.

Remember This

ἀκυρόω stands as a powerful reminder that human traditions and interpretations must never be allowed to nullify the eternal authority of God’s Word.