862. aphthartos
Lexical Summary
aphthartos: Incorruptible, imperishable, immortal

Original Word: ἄφθαρτος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aphthartos
Pronunciation: af-thar-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (af'-thar-tos)
KJV: not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G5351 (φθείρω - corrupted)]

1. undecaying (in essence or continuance)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
incorruptible, immortal.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of phtheiro; undecaying (in essence or continuance) -- not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal.

see GREEK a

see GREEK phtheiro

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 862: ἄφθαρτος

ἄφθαρτος, ἄφθαρτον (φθείρω), uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable: of things, 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Peter 1:4, 23; 1 Peter 3:4; (ἄφθαρτος κήρυγμα τῆς αἰωνίου σωτηρίας, Mark 16 WH in (rejected) 'Shorter Conclusion'). immortal: of the risen dead, 1 Corinthians 15:52; of God, Romans 1:23; 1 Timothy 1:17. (Wis. 12:1 Wis. 18:4. (Aristotle), Plutarch, Lucian, others. (Cf. Trench, § lxviii.).)

STRONGS NT 862b: ἀφθορίαἀφθορία, ἀφθοριας, (ἄφθορος uncorrupted, from φθείρω), uncorruptness: Titus 2:7 L T Tr WH; see ἀδιαφθορία.

Topical Lexicon
Conceptual Focus

Strong’s Greek 862 identifies the quality of being free from decay or corruption in any form—physical, moral, or spiritual. Scripture applies this attribute to God Himself, to the believer’s future state, to the gospel message, and to the goals and virtues believers pursue in the present age.

Distribution in the New Testament

Eight inspired occurrences appear across four authors (Paul, Peter, and the Markan appendix), demonstrating a unified biblical testimony:

Romans 1:23
1 Corinthians 9:25; 15:52
1 Timothy 1:17
Mark 16:20
1 Peter 1:4; 1:23; 3:4

The word spans doxology, ethical exhortation, eschatological promise, and missionary narrative, illustrating its breadth of application.

God’s Essential Nature

Paul twice uses the term to exalt divine majesty. Romans 1:23 contrasts idols with “the immortal God,” underscoring that every created object inevitably deteriorates, whereas God’s glory is untouched by time or moral taint. In 1 Timothy 1:17 he praises the “King eternal, immortal, invisible,” grounding Christian confidence in a Lord whose character cannot fade.

The Believer’s Future Transformation

The resurrection chapter highlights the believer’s bodily destiny: “the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). This promise connects directly to the Lord’s victory over death and supplies sure hope that present suffering will culminate in an undying inheritance (1 Peter 1:4).

Present Motivation and Discipline

Athletic imagery in 1 Corinthians 9:25 contrasts fragile laurel wreaths with the “crown that is imperishable.” The verse fuels self-denial for ministry, reminding servants of Christ that eternal reward far outweighs temporal accolades.

The Imperishable Word and New Birth

Peter links new birth to an enduring seed: “born again… through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). The gospel does not lose potency with cultural change; it retains life-giving power across generations and geographies (confirmed in Mark 16:20 as the risen Lord validates the preached word with accompanying signs).

Inner Beauty Over Outward Fading

1 Peter 3:4 urges believers—especially wives—to cherish “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” Spiritual graces, unlike physical appearance, cannot age, rust, or perish, and are “precious in the sight of God.”

Ministry Implications

1. Proclamation—The church proclaims an undiminishing message backed by an undying Savior.
2. Discipleship—Training for godliness gains heightened urgency when eternity is in view.
3. Pastoral Care—Believers facing illness, persecution, or bereavement are strengthened by the promise that both their God and their future are immune to decay.
4. Worship—Doxology is enriched when congregations confess the incorruptible nature of the Triune God.

Historical Reflection

Early Christian apologists contrasted the Church’s incorruptible hope with the transience of Greco-Roman deities and imperial power. Patristic writings frequently cited 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Peter 1:4 to defend bodily resurrection and to encourage martyr faithfulness.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 862 carries a consistent biblical thread: what is bound to time and sin will perish, but God, His gospel, His reward, and the redeemed life He imparts stand forever. This truth fuels worship, steadies endurance, and shapes holy ambition until the day when “the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Forms and Transliterations
αφθαρτοι άφθαρτοι ἄφθαρτοι αφθαρτον άφθαρτον ἄφθαρτον αφθαρτου αφθάρτου ἀφθάρτου αφθαρτω αφθάρτω ἀφθάρτῳ άφθορα aphtharto aphthartō aphthartoi aphthártoi aphthártōi áphthartoi aphtharton áphtharton aphthartou aphthártou
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 16:20 Adj-AMS
GRK: ἱερὸν καὶ ἄφθαρτον κήρυγμα τῆς
INT: sacred and imperishable preaching of

Romans 1:23 Adj-GMS
GRK: δόξαν τοῦ ἀφθάρτου θεοῦ ἐν
NAS: the glory of the incorruptible God
KJV: the glory of the uncorruptible God
INT: glory of the immortal God into

1 Corinthians 9:25 Adj-AMS
GRK: ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄφθαρτον
NAS: wreath, but we an imperishable.
KJV: but we an incorruptible.
INT: we moreover an imperishable

1 Corinthians 15:52 Adj-NMP
GRK: νεκροὶ ἐγερθήσονται ἄφθαρτοι καὶ ἡμεῖς
NAS: will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
KJV: shall be raised incorruptible, and
INT: dead will be raised imperishable and we

1 Timothy 1:17 Adj-DMS
GRK: τῶν αἰώνων ἀφθάρτῳ ἀοράτῳ μόνῳ
NAS: eternal, immortal, invisible,
KJV: eternal, immortal, invisible,
INT: of the ages [the] immortal invisible only

1 Peter 1:4 Adj-AFS
GRK: εἰς κληρονομίαν ἄφθαρτον καὶ ἀμίαντον
NAS: to [obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable and undefiled
KJV: an inheritance incorruptible, and
INT: to an inheritance imperishable and undefiled

1 Peter 1:23 Adj-GFS
GRK: φθαρτῆς ἀλλὰ ἀφθάρτου διὰ λόγου
NAS: which is perishable but imperishable, [that is], through
KJV: but of incorruptible, by
INT: perishable but of imperishable by [the] word

1 Peter 3:4 Adj-DNS
GRK: ἐν τῷ ἀφθάρτῳ τοῦ πραέως
NAS: of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle
KJV: in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek
INT: in the imperishable [beauty] of the gentle

Strong's Greek 862
8 Occurrences


ἀφθάρτῳ — 2 Occ.
ἄφθαρτοι — 1 Occ.
ἄφθαρτον — 3 Occ.
ἀφθάρτου — 2 Occ.

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