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ἄφθαρτος

áphthartos

G862 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

incorruptible, imperishable; describing that which does not decay, perish, or succumb to dissolution or corruption. In various contexts, refers to something enduring, not subject to physical or moral decay, and, by extension, imperishable in a broader sense (such as immortality or enduring glory).

Semantic Range

incorruptible, imperishable, immortal, not subject to decay, unfading, enduring, morally pure

Root / Etymology

From the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not') and φθαρτός (phthartos, 'subject to corruption or decay'), itself from the verb φθείρω (phtheirō, 'to destroy, corrupt, spoil'). Thus, ἄφθαρτος literally means 'not corruptible' or 'imperishable.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ἄφθαρτος is rare but attested with the sense of that which does not perish or deteriorate. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, the term acquires nuanced connotations. It is often used of things that are not subject to physical decay (such as an imperishable crown or inheritance), but also metaphorically for moral incorruptibility or divine immortality. In contrast to φθαρτός ('perishable'), ἄφθαρτος highlights a quality of enduring fullness or unchanging state, associated with divine or heavenly realities. Standard English translations like 'incorruptible' or 'imperishable' generally convey the sense, but may not capture the full range: in some contexts, the word suggests not only the absence of decay, but a positive form of everlasting endurance, stability, or purity.

Translation Consistency

primary "imperishable" 7 occurrences

'Imperishable' matches the dominant English rendering in the corpus (6 of 7 occurrences) and naturally covers the semantic range of ἄφθαρτος — not subject to decay, unfading, enduring, or immortal — without forcing a moral nuance ('incorruptible') or a strictly theological one ('immortal'). It reads naturally in English and fits typical biblical contexts (e.g., imperishable crown, imperishable seed).

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of φθείρω; undecaying (in essence or continuance):--not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal.

Root Family

ἄφθαρτος (aphthartos) — incorruptible, imperishable, not subject to decay

Root φθαρ- to destroy, to spoil, to decay

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G862-03 ἄφθαρτον aphtharton ADJ.S ACC M SG imperishable imperishable imperishable 2
G862-04 ἀφθάρτου aphthartou ADJ.A GEN M SG incorruptible of the imperishable of the imperishable 2
G862-01 ἀφθάρτῳ aphtharto ADJ.A DAT M SG immortal to the imperishable to the imperishable 2
G862-02 ἄφθαρτοι aphthartoi ADJ.S NOM M PL incorruptible imperishable ones imperishable ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G862-04 Romans 1:23 ἀφθάρτου aphthartou ADJ.A GEN M SG incorruptible of the imperishable of the imperishable
G862-03 1 Corinthians 9:25 ἄφθαρτον aphtharton ADJ.S ACC M SG imperishable imperishable imperishable
G862-02 1 Corinthians 15:52 ἄφθαρτοι aphthartoi ADJ.S NOM M PL incorruptible imperishable ones imperishable ones
G862-01 1 Timothy 1:17 ἀφθάρτῳ aphtharto ADJ.A DAT M SG immortal to the imperishable to the imperishable
G862-03 1 Peter 1:4 ἄφθαρτον aphtharton ADJ.A ACC F SG imperishable imperishable imperishable
G862-04 1 Peter 1:23 ἀφθάρτου aphthartou ADJ.S GEN F SG incorruptible of the imperishable of the imperishable
G862-01 1 Peter 3:4 ἀφθάρτῳ aphtharto ADJ.S DAT M SG imperishable to the imperishable to the imperishable
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