Understanding ἀσχημοσύνη (aschēmosynē) Strong’s G808: The Profound Biblical Truth About Impropriety and Moral Disgrace

Pronunciation Guide: as-kay-mos-oo’-nay

Basic Definition

Strong’s G808: ἀσχημοσύνη describes an unseemly behavior or indecent conduct that violates moral and social standards. It encompasses both the outward manifestation of shameful actions and the internal state of moral impropriety. This term carries strong connotations of behavior that brings disgrace not only to the individual but also to the community of believers.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Derived from ἀσχήμων (aschēmōn, “unseemly”)
• Root connection to σχῆμα (schēma, “form, figure”)
• Primary usage in ethical and moral teaching contexts
• Common in Pauline epistles and early Christian literature

ἀσχημοσύνη Morphology:

• ἀσχημοσύνη (nominative singular) – unseemly behavior
• ἀσχημοσύνης (genitive singular) – of unseemly behavior
• ἀσχημοσύνῃ (dative singular) – in/with unseemly behavior
• ἀσχημοσύνην (accusative singular) – unseemly behavior (direct object)

Origin & History

The word ἀσχημοσύνη emerged from classical Greek literature where it initially referred to physical ugliness or deformity. In Plato’s “Republic” (401a), he uses the term to discuss aesthetic misconduct in contrast to εὐσχημοσύνη (good form). The Septuagint translators adopted this term to render Hebrew concepts of shame and nakedness, particularly in Levitical contexts dealing with ritual impurity.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his “Paedagogus” (2.10), expanded its usage to encompass not just physical impropriety but spiritual and moral indecency. This theological development reflects the term’s evolution from purely aesthetic concerns to deeper ethical implications.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Moral impropriety or indecency
• Shameful conduct that violates social and spiritual norms
• Physical nakedness or exposure in contexts of shame
• Behavior that brings dishonor to God’s holy standards

ἀσχημοσύνη Translation Options:

• Shameful conduct – Best captures the moral weight in ethical contexts
• Improper behavior – Suitable for general usage discussing social propriety
• Indecency – Appropriate when emphasizing violation of moral standards
• Disgraceful acts – Useful when highlighting the public nature of the misconduct

Biblical Usage

The term ἀσχημοσύνη appears most prominently in Romans 1:27, where Paul uses it to describe the consequences of abandoning God’s natural order. Its usage in the New Testament consistently carries strong moral implications, often associated with behaviors that demonstrate rejection of divine design and purpose.

The Septuagint employs ἀσχημοσύνη frequently in Levitical texts concerning ritual purity and proper conduct, establishing a foundation for its New Testament usage. This connection bridges the gap between physical and moral impurity in biblical thought.

• “Men committed shameful acts [ἀσχημοσύνην]” Romans 1:27
• “Nakedness or shame [ἀσχημοσύνη]” Revelation 16:15
• “Uncovering the nakedness [ἀσχημοσύνη]” Leviticus 18:7 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean culture, shame and honor were foundational social constructs that governed behavior. The concept of ἀσχημοσύνη operated within this framework, representing not just individual misconduct but actions that brought shame upon one’s entire family and community. This cultural background explains why Paul’s use of the term in Romans 1:27 would have carried particularly strong implications for his first-century audience.

The term also connects to the Hebrew concept of ערוה (ervah), which combines physical nakedness with moral shame. This connection reveals how the early Messianic community understood the relationship between physical modesty and spiritual integrity.

Theological Significance

ἀσχημοσύνη serves as a powerful reminder of God’s holy standards and the consequences of departing from His divine order. When Paul employs this term in Romans 1:27, he’s not merely describing inappropriate behavior but pointing to the fundamental disorder that results from rejecting the Creator’s design.

The word carries echoes of the shame experienced in Eden after the fall, highlighting how sin distorts the beauty of God’s original creation. Yet, through the Messiah’s redemptive work, believers are clothed in His righteousness, transforming our shame into glory.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀσχημοσύνη challenges believers to examine their conduct not merely by social standards but by God’s holy character. It calls us to recognize that our behavior either honors or dishonors our calling as temples of the Holy Spirit.

This word should prompt us to pray as David did in Psalm 139:23-24, asking God to search our hearts and reveal any way in which we might be bringing shame to His name. Through His grace, we can walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

Related Words

• εὐσχημοσύνη (euschēmosynē, yoo-skhay-mos-oo’-nay) – propriety, decorum; the positive counterpart showing honorable conduct See G2157
• ἀσχήμων (aschēmōn, as-khay’-mone) – unseemly, shameful; the adjective form See G809
• αἰσχρότης (aischrotēs, ahee-skhrot’-ace) – filthiness, obscenity; a related concept of moral turpitude See G151
• αἰδώς (aidōs, ahee-doce’) – modesty, reverence; the positive virtue of appropriate conduct See G127

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek medical texts, ἀσχημοσύνη was used to describe physical deformities, showing how the word evolved from physical to moral implications in biblical usage.
• The root word σχῆμα (schema) continues in modern usage, appearing in English words like “scheme” and “schematic,” though its meaning has shifted significantly from its original sense of form or appearance.
• Early Jewish commentary on Leviticus frequently paired ἀσχημοσύνη with concepts of ritual purity, suggesting that physical modesty was seen as a reflection of spiritual wholeness.

Remember This

ἀσχημοσύνη stands as a sobering reminder that our conduct either glorifies God or brings shame to His name, calling us to live lives that reflect His holiness and grace.