Understanding ἀντιμισθία (antimisthia) Strong’s G489: The Divine Principle of Recompense in God’s Perfect Justice

Pronunciation Guide: an-tee-mis-thee’-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G489: A compound word meaning “corresponding payment” or “recompense,” ἀντιμισθία carries the concept of receiving what is precisely due, whether reward or consequence. It emphasizes the principle of divine justice where actions and attitudes receive their fitting response. This word uniquely captures both the positive and negative aspects of recompense in God’s economy.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Compound of ἀντί (anti, “in return for”) and μισθός (misthos, “payment, wages”)
• Used primarily in teaching passages about divine justice
• Appears in both positive and negative contexts
• Classical Greek commercial and legal term

ἀντιμισθία Morphology:

• ἀντιμισθία (nominative singular) – recompense/reward
• ἀντιμισθίας (genitive singular) – of recompense/reward
• ἀντιμισθίᾳ (dative singular) – in/with recompense/reward
• ἀντιμισθίαν (accusative singular) – recompense/reward

Origin & History

The term ἀντιμισθία emerged from classical Greek commercial vocabulary where it described exact compensation in business transactions. In the writings of Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War), it appears in contexts of military payment and diplomatic reciprocity. The Septuagint translators, however, did not employ this term, making its New Testament usage particularly significant.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria (Stromata) and John Chrysostom (Homilies on Romans), developed the theological implications of this word, emphasizing both divine justice and mercy in God’s system of recompense.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A payment or reward given in return for actions or services
• Divine retribution or consequence aligned with one’s choices
• Reciprocal compensation reflecting perfect justice
• A precisely measured response matching the original action

ἀντιμισθία Translation Options:

• “Recompense” – Best captures both positive and negative aspects
• “Due reward” – Emphasizes the fitting nature of the response
• “Corresponding consequences” – Highlights the precise matching
• “Reciprocal payment” – Stresses the two-way nature of the term
• “Just return” – Emphasizes the justice aspect

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀντιμισθία appears only twice, but each usage is theologically significant. Its first appearance in Romans 1:27 describes the natural consequences of rejecting God’s design, emphasizing divine justice’s self-executing nature. The second usage in 2 Corinthians 6:13 presents a positive application, where Paul appeals for reciprocal affection from the Corinthians.

While rare in biblical Greek, its usage carries tremendous theological weight, particularly in understanding God’s justice system:

• “Receiving in themselves the due penalty [ἀντιμισθία] for their error.” Romans 1:27
• “Now in a like exchange [ἀντιμισθία] – I speak as to children – open wide to us also.” 2 Corinthians 6:13

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean commerce, the concept of exact recompense was crucial for maintaining social order and business relationships. The Greeks had a sophisticated system of weights and measures to ensure precise exchanges, which forms the cultural backdrop for understanding ἀντιμισθία. This precision in commercial dealings paralleled their philosophical emphasis on justice and proper balance in all things.

The Jewish concept of middah k’neged middah (measure for measure) aligns closely with ἀντιμισθία, reflecting the rabbinic understanding of divine justice as perfectly calibrated to human actions. This principle appears throughout rabbinic literature, particularly in discussions of the afterlife and divine judgment.

Theological Significance

ἀντιμισθία reveals the perfect precision of God’s justice system, where every action receives its appropriate response. This doesn’t merely reflect mechanical karma but demonstrates Yahweh’s personal involvement in human affairs and His commitment to righteousness. The term showcases both God’s justice and mercy – justice in that actions have consequences, mercy in that positive recompense often exceeds what we deserve through the Messiah’s redemptive work.

The dual usage in the New Testament – negative in Romans and positive in Corinthians – perfectly illustrates the comprehensive nature of God’s justice. It reminds us that the same principle governing judgment also governs blessing, highlighting the consistency of God’s character across all His dealings with humanity.

This word also points to the Messiah’s substitutionary atonement, where He received the ἀντιμισθία that we deserved, demonstrating both the inevitability of divine justice and the possibility of mercy through sacrificial love.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀντιμισθία should inspire both reverence and hope in believers. It calls us to mindful living, knowing our choices carry real consequences, while assuring us that no good deed goes unnoticed by our heavenly Father. This principle encourages us to sow good seeds, knowing the harvest follows the planting.

For those struggling with injustice, this word offers comfort – God’s recompense is certain and precise. For those serving faithfully without visible results, it promises that their labor in the Lord is never in vain. The key is maintaining focus on the Eternal Rewarder rather than temporary circumstances.

Related Words

• μισθός (misthos) – wages, reward, recompense – A simpler term focusing on payment without the emphasis on correspondence – See G3408
• ἀνταπόδοσις (antapodosis) – repayment, retribution – Emphasizes the return aspect more than the precise correspondence – See G469
• ἀμοιβή (amoibe) – recompense, return – Focuses on exchange without the legal precision – See G287
• κομίζω (komizo) – to receive back, obtain – Emphasizes receiving what is due – See G2865

Did you Know?

• The precision implied in ἀντιμισθία was so respected in ancient Greek culture that it became a standard term in legal contracts to ensure exact reciprocity in agreements.
• Modern Greek still uses this word in legal contexts, particularly in cases involving compensation or damages, maintaining its emphasis on precise correspondence between action and response.
• The compound structure of ἀντιμισθία (anti + misthos) creates one of the most precise terms for divine justice in biblical Greek, surpassing even Hebrew equivalents in its specificity.

Remember This

ἀντιμισθία stands as a divine guarantee that in God’s perfect economy, every action finds its corresponding response – whether blessing or consequence – with precision that only divine wisdom can achieve.