← G4188 G4190 →

πονηρία

ponēría

G4189 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Active evil, wickedness; the quality or state of being morally corrupt or vicious. πονηρία denotes a general disposition toward evil, especially as manifested in harmful intent, malice, or the pursuit of morally objectionable actions. In various contexts it can describe both inward moral corruption and outward acts of wrongdoing or malicious plots.

Semantic Range

active moral evil, wickedness, depravity, malicious intent, harmful disposition, hostile action, plots, villainy, vice, moral corruption

Root / Etymology

From πονηρός (ponēros, 'evil, wicked, morally corrupt'); formed from the root πονηρ- with the feminine abstract noun suffix -ία (-ia), denoting a quality or state.

Historical & Contextual Notes

πονηρία is rarely attested in earlier classical Greek but becomes common from the Hellenistic period onward (notably LXX, New Testament, and other Koine sources). In classical Greek, notions of πονηρία tended to center on roguishness, knavery, or a lack of moral virtue amongst citizens, not always aligning with later, more theological senses of 'wickedness.' In Hellenistic and New Testament usage, the term consistently refers to active moral evil, often with a focus on malicious intent or harmful action (cf. the distinction between πονηρία and κακία, the latter denoting wickedness more as a passive state or vice). In the Septuagint, πονηρία frequently translates Hebrew terms for moral depravity or evil (esp. רַע), and typically appears in contexts emphasizing deliberate wrongdoing. In the New Testament, πονηρία denotes an inward moral corruption that issues in harmful behavior toward others (see Mark 7:22; Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:31), and may be paired with other terms like κακία and ἀδικία to delineate shades of transgression. English translations, often rendering it as 'wickedness' or 'malice,' sometimes flatten its focus on active, intentional evil.

Translation Consistency

primary "wickedness" 7 occurrences

πονηρία most commonly and naturally denotes moral corruption and active evil; “wickedness” is the clear, idiomatic English noun that captures both inward depravity and outward malicious acts or plots. It matches common translation practice and keeps a precise, consistent rendering across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πονηρός; depravity, i.e. (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins:--iniquity, wickedness.

Root Family

πονηρ- (ponēría) — evil, wickedness, maliciousness, active moral corruption

Root πονηρ- evil, wickedness, maliciousness, active moral corruption
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4191 πονηρότερος more evil things

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4189-04 πονηρίας ponerias N GEN F SG of wickedness of active wickedness of wickedness 3
G4189-01 πονηρίᾳ poneria N DAT F SG wickedness in wickedness wickedness 1
G4189-02 πονηρίαι poneriai N NOM F PL wickedness acts of wickedness acts of wickedness 1
G4189-03 πονηρίαν ponerian N ACC F SG wickedness active wickedness wickedness 1
G4189-05 πονηριῶν ponerion N GEN F PL iniquities of acts of wickedness acts of wickedness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4189-03 Matthew 22:18 πονηρίαν ponerian N ACC F SG wickedness active wickedness wickedness
G4189-02 Mark 7:22 πονηρίαι poneriai N NOM F PL wickedness acts of wickedness acts of wickedness
G4189-04 Luke 11:39 πονηρίας ponerias N GEN F SG of-wickedness of active wickedness of wickedness
G4189-05 Acts 3:26 πονηριῶν ponerion N GEN F PL iniquities of acts of wickedness acts of wickedness
G4189-01 Romans 1:29 πονηρίᾳ poneria N DAT F SG wickedness in wickedness wickedness
G4189-04 1 Corinthians 5:8 πονηρίας ponerias N GEN F SG of wickedness of active wickedness of wickedness
G4189-04 Ephesians 6:12 πονηρίας ponerias N GEN F SG wickedness of active wickedness of wickedness
← G4188 Greek Lexicon G4190 →