Pronunciation Guide: ah-PEI-ras-tos (ᾰπείρᾰστος)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G551: Incapable of being tempted by evil, untemptable, having no experience of evil. This rare Greek adjective describes an absolute state of being immune or impervious to temptation, particularly emphasizing God’s holy nature as completely separate from and untainted by evil. It appears only once in the New Testament, making a profound theological statement about God’s character.

Etymology and Morphology

• Adjective derived from alpha-privative (ἀ-) + πειράζω (peirazō)
• Classical Greek origin
• Primarily used in philosophical and theological contexts
• Verbal adjective formation
• Found in didactic/teaching passages

ἀπείραστος Morphology:

• ἀπείραστος (nominative singular masculine) – untemptable
• ἀπείραστον (accusative singular masculine) – untemptable
• ἀπειράστου (genitive singular masculine) – of the untemptable
• ἀπειράστῳ (dative singular masculine) – to/for the untemptable

Origin & History

The word ἀπείραστος emerges from classical Greek philosophy where it was used to describe that which is beyond testing or experimentation. Plato used similar constructions in his “Republic” when discussing the nature of the divine as being above human testing or manipulation.

In the Hellenistic period, the term gained theological significance, particularly in Jewish-Hellenistic literature. Philo of Alexandria employed related concepts when discussing divine immutability and perfection in his work “On the Unchangeableness of God.” The Septuagint translators, however, never used this specific term, making its appearance in James particularly noteworthy.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete immunity to evil or temptation
• Unable to be tested by evil
• Having no experience with evil
• Morally incapable of being tempted

ἀπείραστος Translation Options:

• “Untemptable” – Emphasizes the impossibility of God being tempted
• “Cannot be tempted” – Reflects the passive verbal aspect
• “Immune to temptation” – Captures the concept of divine imperviousness
• “Incapable of being tempted” – Highlights the moral impossibility

Biblical Usage

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀπείραστος is in James 1:13, where James makes the definitive statement that God is ἀπείραστος κακῶν (untemptable by evil). This usage is particularly significant as it comes in a context discussing the origin of temptation and sin. James employs this rare term to establish an absolute theological truth about God’s nature.

The word forms part of James’s larger argument about the nature of temptation and its relationship to human desire (James 1:14-15). By using ἀπείραστος, James creates a stark contrast between God’s immutable holiness and human susceptibility to temptation.

• “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted [ἀπείραστος] by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” James 1:13

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, Greek and Roman mythology often portrayed gods as susceptible to human passions and temptations. These deities were frequently depicted as experiencing jealousy, lust, and anger, leading them to act in morally questionable ways. James’s use of ἀπείραστος stands in sharp contrast to these cultural beliefs, presenting the one true God as absolutely holy and morally perfect.

The concept also connects to the Jewish understanding of God’s absolute holiness (קָדוֹשׁ – kadosh) as expressed in the Hebrew Bible. The prophet Habakkuk declares that God’s eyes are too pure to look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13), a concept that resonates with James’s use of ἀπείραστος.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπείραστος provides a crucial foundation for understanding God’s moral nature. It establishes that God’s holiness is not merely a choice but an essential aspect of His being. This immunity to evil temptation is not a limitation but rather a perfection of His nature, demonstrating His absolute moral purity and sovereignty.

This theological truth has profound implications for our understanding of God’s trustworthiness and the origin of evil. By establishing God as ἀπείραστος, James effectively counters any suggestion that God could be the source of temptation or evil, reinforcing the truth that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17).

Personal Application

Understanding God’s nature as ἀπείραστος should radically transform how we view temptation in our own lives. When we face trials or temptations, we can be confident that God is not their source. Instead, He is our unchanging refuge, completely separate from evil and therefore perfectly positioned to help us overcome it.

This truth should also shape our prayer life and our response to temptation. Rather than blaming God for our struggles, we can turn to Him as the perfect, holy source of strength and deliverance, knowing that His nature is completely unstained by evil.

Related Words

• πειράζω (peirazō) – to test, tempt, try – Demonstrates the base word from which ἀπείραστος is derived, showing what God cannot experience See G3985
• ἀπείρατος (apeiratos) – inexperienced – A related form showing the concept of being untouched by something See G552
• πειρασμός (peirasmos) – trial, temptation – The noun form related to testing and temptation See G3986
• ἄμωμος (amōmos) – without blemish – Another alpha-privative word describing God’s perfect nature See G299

Did you Know?

• The alpha-privative prefix (ἀ-) in ἀπείραστος functions similarly to the English “un-” or “im-“, making this word a powerful negative statement about God’s relationship to evil. This grammatical construction emphasizes the absolute impossibility of God being tempted.
• The concept of ἀπείραστος influenced early Christian apologetics, particularly in debates with Gnostic teachings that attempted to attribute the origin of evil to God. Church fathers like Irenaeus used this concept to defend the biblical understanding of God’s nature.
• Modern Greek still uses the root πειράζω (peirazō) in everyday language to mean “to tease” or “to annoy,” but the profound theological meaning of ἀπείραστος in James 1:13 has influenced Christian theological vocabulary across many languages.

Remember This

God’s untemptable nature (ἀπείραστος) stands as an eternal lighthouse of hope, reminding us that in a world of moral compromise, there exists One who is absolutely pure, completely trustworthy, and forever immune to evil’s seduction.