ἀδιαφθορία
adiaphthoría
G90
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or quality of being free from corruption, decay, or deterioration; in extended or metaphorical usage, purity or integrity, especially with regard to ethical character or teaching. In Koine Greek texts, often denotes the unaltered, enduring, or untainted condition of something or someone.
Semantic Range
incorruptibility, integrity, untaintedness, purity (especially of ethical conduct or doctrine), enduring unspoiled state
Root / Etymology
From the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not') and διαφθορά (diaphthora, 'corruption, decay'), itself from διαφθείρω (diaphtheirō, 'to corrupt, spoil, destroy'), with the abstract nominal suffix -ία (-ia). Thus, ἀδιαφθορία literally means 'incorruptibility' or 'absence of corruption.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ἀδιαφθορία is rare in extant Greek literature and is attested in the Koine period, particularly in Christian and philosophical writings. Its usage reflects Hellenistic philosophical interests in incorruptibility (often of the soul or virtue) but also appears in early Christian contexts to describe moral or doctrinal 'purity.' The emphasis may be on the enduring quality or immunity from moral or doctrinal decay, rather than simply on the absence of physical corruption. Standard English translations such as 'incorruptibility' or 'uncorruptness' are accurate for basic rendering, but may obscure metaphorical or ethical nuances (such as 'integrity' or 'purity') developed in later Koine usage. Not to be confused with ἀφθαρσία (aphtharsia), which also means 'incorruptibility' but more commonly of the body (as opposed to doctrine or moral condition).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of a compound of Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of διαφθείρω; incorruptibleness, i.e. (figuratively) purity (of doctrine):--uncorruptness.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.