"incorruptibility, 1 Cor. 15:42, 53, 54; immortality, Rom. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:10; soundness, purity; ἐν ἀφθαρσίᾳ, purely, sincerely or constantly, unfailingly, Eph. 6:24"
Definition and meaning
incorruptibility, 1 Cor. 15:42, 53, 54; immortality, Rom. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:10; soundness, purity; ἐν ἀφθαρσίᾳ, purely, sincerely or constantly, unfailingly, Eph. 6:24
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀφθαρσία
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of aphtharsia (G861) across the King James Bible.
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
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Common questions
Strong's G861 (aphtharsia) is a Greek word that means: incorruptibility, 1 Cor. 15:42, 53, 54; immortality, Rom. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:10; soundness, purity; ἐν ἀφθαρσίᾳ, purely, sincerely or constantly, unfailingly, Eph. 6:24 It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word aphtharsia (G861) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G861 is aphtharsia, a Greek word defined as: incorruptibility, 1 Cor. 15:42, 53, 54; immortality, Rom. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:10; soundness, purity; ἐν ἀφθαρσίᾳ, purely, sincerely or constantly, unfailing. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
aphtharsia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.