Original Word: πονηρία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ponéria
Pronunciation: po-nay-REE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (pon-ay-ree'-ah)
Definition: wickedness, iniquities.
Meaning: The term πονηρία generally refers to wickedness, evil, or malice. It encompasses a broad range of moral and ethical corruption, including depravity, iniquity, and malicious intent.

Word Origin: Derived from πονηρός (ponērós), meaning "evil" or "wicked."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7451 רַע (ra‘): Often translated as "evil" or "wickedness," this Hebrew term shares a similar semantic range with πονηρία, describing moral and ethical corruption.
• H205 אָוֶן (aven): Translated as "iniquity" or "trouble," this term also corresponds to the concept of wickedness and malice found in πονηρία.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term πονηρία, its biblical usage, and its theological implications, encouraging believers to pursue righteousness and reject evil.

Usage: The word πονηρία is used in the New Testament to describe the moral corruption and wickedness that stands in opposition to God's holiness and righteousness. It is often associated with sinful behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to the teachings of Christ.

Context: • Overview: πονηρία is a term that captures the essence of moral evil and wickedness in the human heart and actions. It is used in the New Testament to describe the pervasive nature of sin and its impact on individuals and communities.
• Biblical Context: In the New Testament, πονηρία is frequently mentioned in lists of vices and is contrasted with virtues that are pleasing to God. It is often used to describe the general state of human sinfulness and the specific acts that arise from a corrupt heart.
• Key Verses:
• Matthew 6:23 (BSB): "But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"
• Mark 7:21-22 (BSB): "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness."
• Ephesians 6:12 (BSB): "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
• Theological Significance: πονηρία is a fundamental concept in understanding the fallen nature of humanity and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. It highlights the contrast between the sinful nature of man and the holiness of God, underscoring the necessity of repentance and transformation through the Holy Spirit.
• Practical Application: Believers are called to recognize and reject πονηρία in their lives, striving instead to embody the virtues of the Spirit. This involves a conscious effort to align one's thoughts, words, and actions with the teachings of Christ and to seek God's strength in overcoming evil.

Cognate: 4189 ponēría (from 4192 /pónos, "pain, laborious trouble") – properly, pain-ridden evil, derived from 4192 (pónos) which refers to "pain (pure and simple)" – resulting in "toil, then drudge, i.e. 'bad' like our . . . criminal" (WP, 1, 325). See 4190 (ponēros).

Word Origin
from ponéros
Definition
iniquity
NASB Translation
malice (1), wicked ways (1), wickedness (5).

STRONGS NT 4189: πονηρία

πονηρία, πονηρίας, ἡ (πονηρός) (from Sophocles down), the Sept. for רֹעַ and רָעָה, depravity, iniquity, wickedness ((so A. V. almost uniformly)), malice: Matthew 22:18; Luke 11:39; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 6:12; plural αἱ πονηρίαι (cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; Buttmann, § 123, 2; R. V. wickednesses), evil purposes and desires, Mark 7:22; wicked ways (A. V. iniquities), Acts 3:26. (Synonym: see κακία, at the end.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

iniquity, wickedness.

From poneros; depravity, i.e. (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins -- iniquity, wickedness.

see GREEK poneros

Forms and Transliterations

πονηρια πονηρία πονηρίᾳ πονηριαι πονηρίαι πονηριαν πονηρίαν πονηριας πονηρίας πονηριων πονηριών πονηριῶν poneria ponēria poneriai poneríai poneríāi ponēriai ponēríai ponēríāi ponerian ponerían ponērian ponērían ponerias ponerías ponērias ponērías ponerion poneriôn ponēriōn ponēriō̂n

Links

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