Lexical Summary apokrima: Answer, response Original Word: ἀπόκριμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sentence. From apokrinomai (in its original sense of judging); a judicial decision -- sentence. see GREEK apokrinomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apokrinomai Definition a judicial sentence, by ext. an answer NASB Translation sentence (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 610: ἀπόκριμαἀπόκριμα, ἀποκριτος, τό (ἀποκρίνομαι, which see in ἀποκρίνω), an answer: 2 Corinthians 1:9, where the meaning is, 'On asking myself whether I should come out safe from mortal peril, I answered, I must die. (Josephus, Antiquities 14, 10, 6 of an answer (rescript) of the Roman senate; (similarly in Polybius excpt. Vat. 12, 26{b}, 1).) Topical Lexicon Overview The term ἀπόκριμα occurs a single time in the Greek New Testament (2 Corinthians 1:9). It denotes an official verdict or sentence, whether rendered by a human court or perceived as a divine decree. Paul uses it to describe the apostolic company’s shared conviction that death was inevitable, a “sentence” that ultimately showcased the power and sufficiency of God. Scriptural Context and Usage 2 Corinthians 1:8–11 records Paul’s testimony of extreme affliction in Asia. Verse 9 reads: “Indeed, we felt we were destined to die, so that we would not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead.” By calling their peril an ἀπόκριμα (“death sentence”), Paul frames the experience as more than a passing hardship; it was a decisive judgment that stripped away self-reliance and turned the apostles wholly to the God of resurrection. Though ἀπόκριμα appears only here, the concept resonates with other biblical passages that depict believers facing apparent finality yet discovering God’s saving power (Psalm 116:3–8; Daniel 3:16–27; Acts 14:19–20). Historical Background 2 Corinthians was written from Macedonia around A.D. 55–56, during Paul’s third missionary journey. The “affliction in Asia” likely refers to events in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41), where violent opposition from idol makers imperiled Paul’s life. Roman courts frequently issued death sentences, and riots could turn lethal without formal proceedings. Paul’s choice of ἀπόκριμα may echo both the real threat of Roman justice and the deeper awareness of divine sovereignty that overrules earthly verdicts. Theological Significance 1. Dependence on God. The perceived sentence pushed Paul and his companions to rely “not on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead.” The apostle interprets life-threatening trials as providential instruments cultivating trust (Romans 5:3–5). Ministry Application • Pastoral Care: When believers face diagnoses, persecutions, or legal injustices that feel like an irreversible “sentence,” ministers can point to 2 Corinthians 1:9 as a template for faith under pressure. Cross-References and Thematic Links • Psalm 118:17 – “I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done.” Devotional Reflection The solitary use of ἀπόκριμα in Scripture serves as a vivid reminder that what appears to be the final word against God’s people never is. The Lord who raises the dead reserves the true verdict for Himself, transforming sentences of death into testimonies of life that magnify His grace and strengthen His church. Forms and Transliterations αποκριμα απόκριμα ἀπόκριμα apokrima apókrimaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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