ἄξιος
áxios
G514 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Having value or worth, being deserving (of something); denoting the quality of corresponding to or being of equal value, status, or merit. It expresses the idea of being suitable, fitting, or appropriate for a particular outcome, treatment, or status. Can also denote being comparable (in worth), or worthy of receiving an action, whether positive (praise, honor, reward) or negative (punishment, condemnation), depending on context.
Semantic Range
worthy (of reward, punishment, honor, calling), deserving, suitable, fitting, of equal value or status, comparable, meet, corresponding to, appropriate
Root / Etymology
Related to the Greek root ἄγ- ('to lead, to drive') by way of the notion of balancing or matching in value, though direct derivation is debated; the adjective forms part of a family of value and comparison terms in Greek. Some scholars propose a derivation from the sense of balancing the scales, making two things 'worthy' (balanced) in relation to each other.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἄξιος is widely attested from Homer onward, with senses ranging from 'worthy' (of honor/reward) to 'equivalent' (commensurate with). In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, including the New Testament and Septuagint, it maintains a focus on worthiness—with both positive and negative associations (e.g., deserving of praise, of punishment, or of treatment). In NT usage, often appears in moral or ethical contexts, e.g. being worthy of following, of consequence or calling (see Matt 10:11–13; Luke 10:7), or fitting for reward/punishment. English translations often render it as 'worthy,' 'deserving,' 'fit,' 'meet,' but these may miss nuances of evaluation, suitability, and comparison inherent in Greek usage. In idiomatic expressions (e.g., ἄξιος τοῦ θανάτου, 'worthy of death'), it carries a judicial or evaluative force. Not to be confused with related terms denoting intrinsic price or value (τιμή, κατιόω). The idea of suitability and correspondence is central, beyond merely meritorious moral status.
Translation Consistency
'Worthy' is by far the dominant and most natural English rendering in context (40 of 41 occurrences) and covers the full semantic range: deserving, fit, appropriate, or comparable in value/status. It reads naturally in phrases like 'worthy of honor,' 'worthy of punishment,' or 'worthy of the calling,' ensuring consistent, idiomatic translation across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from ἄγω; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise):--due reward, meet, (un-)worthy.
Root Family
ἄξιος (axios) — worthy, deserving, suitable, corresponding in value
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G516 | ἀξίως | worthy |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G514-04 |
ἄξιος | axios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy | 19 |
G514-03 |
ἄξιον | axion | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy | 9 |
G514-01 |
ἀξία | axia | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy | 6 |
G514-02 |
ἄξιοι | axioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
worthy | worthy ones | worthy ones | 4 |
G514-05 |
ἀξίους | axious | ADJ.A ACC M PL |
worthy | worthy ones | worthy | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
41 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G514-03 |
Matthew 3:8 | ἄξιον | axion | ADJ.A ACC M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-04 |
Matthew 10:10 | ἄξιος | axios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-04 |
Matthew 10:11 | ἄξιός | axios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-01 |
Matthew 10:13 | ἀξία | axia | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-01 |
Matthew 10:13 | ἀξία | axia-2 | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-04 |
Matthew 10:37 | ἄξιος | axios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-04 |
Matthew 10:37 | ἄξιος | axios-2 | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-04 |
Matthew 10:38 | ἄξιος | axios | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
worthy | worthy | worthy |
G514-02 |
Matthew 22:8 | ἄξιοι | axioi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
worthy | worthy ones | worthy ones |
G514-05 |
Luke 3:8 | ἀξίους | axious | ADJ.A ACC M PL |
worthy | worthy ones | worthy |