ἀνυπόκριτος
anypókritos
G505 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not pretending or masking true intent; genuine, sincere, without pretense. Refers to a state or quality of being free from hypocrisy or deceit, especially in expressions of emotion, faith, or behavior. The word highlights authenticity, often in relation to love, faith, or other virtues—emphasizing that these are not merely outward displays but are deeply held and without ulterior motives.
Semantic Range
genuine, sincere, unfeigned, without pretense, without hypocrisy, undisguised, authentic
Root / Etymology
From the alpha privative (ἀ-, meaning 'not') and ὑποκρίνομαι ('to play a part, pretend, feign'), ultimately derived from ὑποκρίτης ('actor' or 'one who pretends'). The root ὑποκρί- relates to answering, interpreting, or acting.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ὑποκρίνομαι primarily referred to answering, explaining, or interpreting, but in the Koine period it developed the sense of 'acting' or 'feigning,' leading to the meaning of 'hypocrisy.' ἀνυπόκριτος arises in Hellenistic and especially Koine Greek to describe an absence of pretense or hypocrisy, especially in ethical contexts, such as unfeigned love (e.g. Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Peter 1:22) or faith (2 Timothy 1:5). The term often functions to contrast true internal attitudes with outward displays or posturing. English translations frequently render it 'sincere' or 'genuine,' though the nuance of 'without pretense' is sometimes underrepresented. LXX usage is exceedingly rare or absent; it is distinctively New Testament in attestation and ethical weight.
Translation Consistency
Modern, natural, and widely used to convey the NT sense of being genuine and without pretense. 'Sincere' captures the typical emotional/faith contexts of ἀνυπόκριτος better than archaic options like 'unfeigned' and covers the semantic range (genuine, authentic, not hypocritical). It is concise and will read naturally across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of ὑποκρίνομαι; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.
Root Family
ἀνυπόκριτος (anypókritos) — genuine, sincere, unfeigned, without pretense, without hypocrisy
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G505-04 |
ἀνυποκρίτου | anupokritou | ADJ.A GEN F SG |
sincere | of unfeigned | of sincere | 2 |
G505-03 |
ἀνυπόκριτος | anupokritos | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
sincere | unfeigned | unfeigned | 2 |
G505-02 |
ἀνυπόκριτον | anupokriton | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
unfeigned | genuine | unhypocritical | 1 |
G505-01 |
ἀνυποκρίτῳ | anupokrito | ADJ.A DAT F SG |
sincere | to/for a sincere one | sincere | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G505-03 |
Romans 12:9 | ἀνυπόκριτος | anupokritos | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
without hypocrisy | unfeigned | unfeigned |
G505-01 |
2 Corinthians 6:6 | ἀνυποκρίτῳ | anupokrito | ADJ.A DAT F SG |
sincere | to/for a sincere one | sincere |
G505-04 |
1 Timothy 1:5 | ἀνυποκρίτου | anupokritou | ADJ.A GEN F SG |
sincere | of unfeigned | of sincere |
G505-04 |
2 Timothy 1:5 | ἀνυποκρίτου | anupokritou | ADJ.A GEN F SG |
sincere | of unfeigned | of sincere |
G505-03 |
James 3:17 | ἀνυπόκριτος | anupokritos | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
sincere | unfeigned | unfeigned |
G505-02 |
1 Peter 1:22 | ἀνυπόκριτον | anupokriton | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
unfeigned | genuine | unhypocritical |