Spiritual Barrenness: φθινοπωρινός (Strong’s G5352: phthinopōrinos) Reveals False Teachers

Strong’s G5352: A compound word describing late autumn, when fruit-bearing trees become barren. In its sole New Testament usage, φθινοπωρινός metaphorically describes false teachers as fruitless trees in autumn, emphasizing their spiritual emptiness and harmful influence.

U – Unveiling the Word

φθινοπωρινός captures a powerful metaphorical image drawn from nature to describe spiritual reality. The word literally describes trees in late autumn that should be bearing fruit but are instead barren. In its New Testament context, Jude employs this term to paint a vivid picture of false teachers who, like autumn trees without fruit, fail to produce the spiritual fruit expected of genuine believers. The early church recognized this agricultural metaphor as particularly apt for describing those who maintain an appearance of spiritual life while lacking true substance. Today, this word continues to serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of genuine spiritual fruitfulness.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φθινοπωρινός, phthinopōrinos, /fthi.no.poˈri.nos/
• Detailed pronunciation: f-thee-no-po-REE-nos (with ‘th’ as in “thin”)
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• φθίνω (phthinō) – to decline or waste away
• ὀπώρα (opōra) – autumn fruit, harvest time
• -ινος (-inos) – adjectival suffix indicating “belonging to” or “of the nature of”

D – Defining Meanings

• Of late autumn
• Autumnal
• Without fruit when fruit is expected
• Past the prime of harvest

For compound words:

• φθίνω contributes the sense of declining or waning
• ὀπώρα adds the context of harvest season
• -ινος makes it adjectival, describing something characterized by these qualities

Translation Options:

• “Late autumnal” – Emphasizes the seasonal timing
• “Past-prime” – Focuses on the missed opportunity for fruit
• “Harvest-failing” – Captures the agricultural disappointment

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἄκαρπος (akarpos) /ˈa.kar.pos/ – Unfruitful in a general sense – See G175
• καρποφόρος (karpophoros) /kar.poˈfo.ros/ – Fruit-bearing, opposite meaning – See G2593
• μετοπωρινός (metopōrinos) /me.to.poˈri.nos/ – Of late autumn (similar timing) – See G3398

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective, φθινοπωρινός exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: First/Second declension pattern

Examples:

• Masculine: φθινοπωρινός, φθινοπωρινοῦ, φθινοπωρινῷ, φθινοπωρινόν
• Neuter: φθινοπωρινόν, φθινοπωρινοῦ, φθινοπωρινῷ, φθινοπωρινόν
• Feminine: φθινοπωρινή, φθινοπωρινῆς, φθινοπωρινῇ, φθινοπωρινήν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources provide rich insight into φθινοπωρινός. BDAG emphasizes its agricultural imagery and metaphorical application to false teachers. Thayer’s highlights the word’s composition and its implications of spiritual barrenness. LSJ traces its usage in agricultural contexts, noting its specific reference to the declining period of autumn. Vine’s emphasizes its connection to trees that should bear fruit but don’t. Strong’s connects it to the idea of waning or declining autumnal conditions. The combined insights suggest a term carefully chosen to represent spiritual pretense without substance.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Jude 1:12 “These are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; [φθινοπωρινός] autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted;”

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in Scripture.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

φθινοπωρινός serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual pretense without substance. Just as autumn trees should bear fruit but sometimes fail, false teachers may maintain an appearance of spiritual life while lacking true fruit. This word reminds us of the Messiah’s teaching that we will know His true followers by their fruit. The good news is that through genuine connection to Him, the True Vine, we can bear lasting spiritual fruit that glorifies the Father.

D – Did You Know?

1. This is one of the most specific seasonal references in the New Testament, precisely indicating late autumn.
2. The word appears in ancient agricultural almanacs as a warning period for farmers.
3. Early Christian commentators used this term to distinguish between genuine and false spiritual growth.

Strong’s G5352: A compound word describing late autumn, when fruit-bearing trees become barren. In its sole New Testament usage, φθινοπωρινός metaphorically describes false teachers as fruitless trees in autumn, emphasizing their spiritual emptiness and harmful influence.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: false teachers, spiritual fruit, autumn, barrenness, metaphor, agricultural imagery, spiritual discernment, judgment, apostasy, authenticity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​