Understanding ἀτιμία (atimia) Strong’s G819: The Deep Shame and Dishonor that Reveals God’s Holy Standards

Pronunciation Guide: ah-tee-MEE-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G819: ἀτιμία refers to deep dishonor, shame, or disgrace that stems from behavior contrary to God’s holy standards. It represents not just embarrassment but a state of degradation that diminishes one’s dignity and worth in society. This term carries strong moral and social implications, often used to describe conditions or behaviors that violate divine order and natural law.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Compound word: ἀ (negative prefix) + τιμή (honor, worth, value)
• Used primarily in teaching and narrative passages
• Common in moral discourse and ethical instruction
• Appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts

ἀτιμία Morphology:

• ἀτιμία (nominative singular) – dishonor/shame
• ἀτιμίας (genitive singular) – of dishonor/shame
• ἀτιμίᾳ (dative singular) – in/with dishonor/shame
• ἀτιμίαν (accusative singular) – unto dishonor/shame

Origin & History

The concept of ἀτιμία has deep roots in classical Greek society, where it originally referred to the loss of civil rights and public standing. In Athens, as documented by Demosthenes in “Against Meidias,” ἀτιμία was a formal legal status imposed as punishment, stripping citizens of their rights and privileges.

In the Septuagint, ἀτιμία appears frequently to translate Hebrew terms related to shame and disgrace, particularly in wisdom literature and prophetic texts. The term gained additional theological weight in Jewish hellenistic literature, as seen in Philo’s works where he uses it to describe the moral degradation resulting from departure from divine law.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete loss of honor and dignity in society
• State of shame resulting from immoral behavior
• Degradation of one’s inherent worth
• Divine judgment manifested in social disgrace

ἀτιμία Translation Options:

• Dishonor – Captures the loss of social standing and moral dignity
• Shame – Emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact
• Degradation – Highlights the process of declining from honor to disgrace
• Disgrace – Reflects both the state and the social consequences
• Ignominy – Formal equivalent capturing public nature of shame

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀτιμία appears predominantly in Pauline literature, where it serves to contrast behaviors and conditions that either honor or dishonor God. The term is particularly significant in Romans 1:26, where it describes the consequences of exchanging natural relations for unnatural ones.

Paul employs ἀτιμία to establish strong ethical contrasts, often pairing it with terms relating to glory and honor to highlight the stark difference between godly and ungodly behavior. This usage pattern reveals how moral choices have both immediate and eternal consequences.

• “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions [ἀτιμία]” Romans 1:26
• “Some vessels for honor and some for dishonor [ἀτιμία]” Romans 9:21
• “It is sown in dishonor [ἀτιμία]” 1 Corinthians 15:43
• “Whose glory is in their shame [ἀτιμία]” Philippians 3:19
• “But I speak by way of dishonor [ἀτιμία]” 2 Corinthians 11:21

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean society, honor and shame were primary cultural values that governed social interactions and personal identity. The concept of ἀτιμία was particularly potent because it represented not just personal shame but public disgrace that affected entire family units and could span generations.

The term carried special weight in Jewish communities where it connected to the concept of “chilul HaShem” (profaning God’s name). When someone brought ἀτιμία upon themselves through sinful behavior, it was seen as bringing shame not just on themselves but on the entire community and, by extension, on God Himself.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀτιμία in Scripture reveals God’s perfect holiness and the severe consequences of departing from His standards. It demonstrates that sin is not merely breaking rules but degrading the image of God in which humans were created. This theological framework helps us understand why Paul uses ἀτιμία to describe both the result and the punishment of sin.

The contrast between honor and ἀτιμία in biblical texts points to the transformative power of the Messiah’s work. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus took on the ultimate ἀτιμία so that believers might receive honor and glory in Him. This dramatic reversal is central to understanding God’s redemptive plan.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀτιμία challenges us to examine our lives in light of God’s holy standards rather than cultural norms. It reminds us that true honor comes from aligning our lives with God’s purposes, while pursuing worldly desires leads to spiritual degradation.

When we grasp the weight of ἀτιμία, we better appreciate the magnitude of God’s grace in calling us from shame to glory through the Messiah. This understanding should motivate us to live in a manner worthy of our calling, bringing honor rather than shame to His name.

Related Words

• δόξα (doxa) [DOX-ah] – glory, honor; represents the opposite of ἀτιμία; shows the contrast between divine glory and human shame See G1391
• αἰσχύνη (aischyne) [ais-KHOO-nay] – shame, disgrace; focuses more on the emotional aspect of shame See G152
• ὄνειδος (oneidos) [ON-ei-dos] – reproach, disgrace; emphasizes public criticism See G3680
• τιμή (time) [tee-MAY] – honor, value; the root word from which ἀτιμία is derived by negation See G5092

Did you Know?

• In ancient Athens, ἀτιμία was a formal legal status that could be inherited, meaning children could bear the shame of their parents’ crimes, highlighting the generational impact of dishonor in biblical times.
• The concept of ἀτιμία was so serious in Greek society that it could result in the loss of the right to participate in religious ceremonies, foreshadowing Paul’s usage of the term to describe spiritual consequences of sin.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀτιμία in legal contexts to describe actions that bring dishonor to one’s profession or position, showing the enduring significance of the concept in Mediterranean culture.

Remember This

ἀτιμία represents not just shame, but a divine verdict on behavior that dishonors God’s created order, reminding us that true dignity is found in conformity to His holy standards.