Understanding ἀτιμάζω (atimazō) Strong’s G818: The Profound Biblical Term for Dishonoring and Treating with Contempt

Pronunciation Guide: ah-tee-MAH-zoh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G818: ἀτιμάζω represents the act of treating someone or something with dishonor, contempt, or disdain. It carries the weight of deliberately diminishing someone’s worth or status through words or actions. This term embodies not just casual disrespect but a conscious choice to strip away dignity and value from the object of scorn.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (Present Active Indicative)
• Derived from ἄτιμος (atimos, “without honor”) which combines ἀ- (negative prefix) and τιμή (timē, “honor, worth, value”)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Common in contexts of social relationships and religious controversy

ἀτιμάζω Morphology:

• ἀτιμάζω (present active indicative) – I dishonor
• ἀτιμάζεις (present active indicative, 2nd person) – you dishonor
• ἀτιμάζει (present active indicative, 3rd person) – he/she/it dishonors
• ἀτιμάσω (aorist subjunctive) – I might dishonor
• ἠτίμασαν (aorist indicative) – they dishonored

Origin & History

The concept of honor and shame was foundational in ancient Mediterranean culture, making ἀτιμάζω a particularly potent term. In classical Greek literature, Thucydides employed it in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” to describe the dishonoring of civic leaders. Aristotle used it in “Nicomachean Ethics” when discussing the relationship between honor and virtue.

In the Septuagint, ἀτιμάζω appears frequently to translate Hebrew terms related to shame and dishonor, particularly כָּלַם (kalam) and בָּזָה (bazah). This usage established its significance in Jewish religious contexts, especially regarding the treatment of God’s prophets and divine commands.

The early church fathers, particularly Chrysostom in his homilies, employed ἀτιμάζω when discussing the persecution of Christians and the dishonoring of God’s messengers, drawing parallels with the treatment of Old Testament prophets.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To treat with contempt or disdain
• To dishonor or shame publicly
• To deny proper respect or value
• To humiliate or degrade intentionally

ἀτιμάζω Translation Options:

• “to dishonor” – Best captures the core meaning of showing disrespect
• “to treat with contempt” – Emphasizes the active nature of the disrespect
• “to shame” – Highlights the social impact of the action
• “to degrade” – Stresses the diminishing of someone’s status or worth
• “to treat disgracefully” – Combines both action and resulting condition

Biblical Usage

The first appearance of ἀτιμάζω in Luke 20:11 occurs in the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, where vineyard owners treated disgracefully the servant sent to collect the harvest. This usage perfectly illustrates the word’s connection to both social status and moral failing.

Throughout the New Testament, ἀτιμάζω often appears in contexts of rejection of divine authority or mistreatment of God’s representatives. It carries particular weight in passages discussing the rejection of the Messiah and the persecution of His followers.

• Luke 20:11 – “And he proceeded to send another servant; but they beat and treated him shamefully [ἀτιμάζω] too, and sent him away empty-handed.”
• John 8:49 – “Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor [ἀτιμάζω] Me.'”
• Acts 5:41 – “So they went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to be dishonored [ἀτιμάζω] for His name.”
• Romans 1:24 – “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored [ἀτιμάζω] among them.”
• Romans 2:23 – “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor [ἀτιμάζω] God?”

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, honor and shame were primary cultural values that governed social interactions. The concept of ἀτιμάζω was particularly severe because it implied not just personal insult but social death. In Athens, ἀτιμία (the noun form) was a legal status that stripped citizens of their civil rights, effectively making them non-persons in society.

The Jewish context adds another layer of significance. In rabbinic tradition, to dishonor a teacher or sage was considered equivalent to dishonoring the Torah itself. This understanding illuminates why the religious leaders’ ἀτιμάζω of Jesus was particularly egregious – they were not just rejecting a person but God’s living Torah.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀτιμάζω in Scripture reveals a profound pattern of human rebellion against divine authority. When people ἀτιμάζω God or His representatives, they demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of both divine honor and their own created status. This word appears at crucial moments in salvation history, particularly in describing the treatment of the Messiah Jesus.

The paradox of ἀτιμάζω in Christian theology is striking – those who were themselves dishonored (the apostles) considered it an honor to be deemed worthy of sharing in the Messiah’s dishonor. This inverse relationship between worldly honor and divine approval becomes a key theme in New Testament teaching.

God’s response to being dishonored reveals His character – rather than retaliating with immediate judgment, He often shows patience and mercy, demonstrating that His honor is not diminished by human contempt. This reveals the immutable nature of His glory and worth.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀτιμάζω challenges us to examine our own treatment of God’s honor in our lives. Do we, like the religious leaders, dishonor Him through lip service while our hearts are far from Him? The word calls us to recognize that honoring God isn’t just about external religious observance but about heart alignment with His values and purposes.

In a world where social media makes it easy to dishonor others with a quick post or comment, the weight of ἀτιμάζω reminds us of the serious nature of treating anyone – created in God’s image – with contempt. It calls us to be people who bestow honor rather than shame, recognizing the divine dignity in every human being.

Related Words

• τιμάω (timaō, “to honor”) – The positive counterpart to ἀτιμάζω, expressing proper respect and value. Pronounce: tee-MAH-oh See G5091
• ἄτιμος (atimos, “without honor”) – The adjectival form describing the state of being dishonored. Pronounce: AH-tee-mos See G820
• ὑβρίζω (hybrizō, “to insult, outrage”) – A related term focusing on insulting behavior. Pronounce: hoo-BRID-zo See G5195
• καταφρονέω (kataphroneō, “to despise”) – Similar concept but emphasizing looking down on someone. Pronounce: kah-tah-fro-NEH-oh See G2706

Did you Know?

• In ancient Athens, those who were ἀτιμάζω (dishonored) could not participate in the assembly, serve on juries, or bring lawsuits – they became social outcasts while still technically remaining citizens.
• The concept of ἀτιμάζω was so significant in Greek culture that it could be considered worse than physical death. Many ancient Greek texts record individuals choosing death over dishonor.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀτιμάζω with essentially the same meaning, showing the enduring nature of this concept in Greek culture and its continued relevance in understanding human relationships.

Remember This

ἀτιμάζω represents not just an action but a profound moral and spiritual choice – to strip away the God-given dignity of another, revealing more about the heart of the dishonorer than the dishonored.