Original Word: φθορά
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: phthora
Pronunciation: fthor-ah'
Phonetic Spelling: (fthor-ah')
Definition: Corruption, decay, destruction
Meaning: corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φθείρω (phtheirō), meaning "to destroy" or "to corrupt."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of corruption is שָׁחַת (shachath), Strong's Hebrew 7845, which means "to destroy" or "to ruin."

Usage: In the New Testament, "phthora" primarily refers to the concept of corruption or decay, both in a physical and moral sense. It is used to describe the perishable nature of the world and the moral decay that results from sin. The term often contrasts the imperishable nature of the divine and the eternal life promised to believers.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the idea of corruption was not only a physical phenomenon but also a moral and philosophical concept. The physical world was seen as subject to decay and change, while the spiritual realm was considered eternal and unchanging. This duality is reflected in the New Testament's use of "phthora" to highlight the transient nature of earthly life and the enduring nature of spiritual truths.

Cognate: 5356 phthorá (from 5351 /phtheírō) – destruction from internal corruption (deterioration, decay); "rottenness, perishableness, corruption, decay, decomposition" (Souter). See 5351 (phteírō).

Word Origin
from phtheiró
Definition
destruction, corruption
NASB Translation
corruption (4), destruction (1), killed (1), perish (1), perishable (2).

STRONGS NT 5356: φθορά

φθορά, φθορᾶς, ἡ (φθείρω), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down:

1. corruption, destruction, perishing (opposed to γένεσις, origin, often in Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch; opposed to σωτηρία, Plato, Phileb., p. 35 e.; for שַׁחַת, Psalm 102:4 (); Jonah 2:7): Romans 8:21 (on which see δουλεία); 2 Peter 2:12a (some (cf. R. V. marginal reading) take φθορά here actively: εἰς φθοράν, to destroy); ἐν φθορά, in a state of corruption or decomposition (of the body at burial), 1 Corinthians 15:42; by metonymy, that which is subject to corruption, what is perishable, opposed to ἀφθαρσία, 1 Corinthians 15:50; in the Christian sense, the loss of salvation, eternal misery (which elsewhere is called ἀπώλεια), Colossians 2:22 (see ἀπόχρησις); opposed to ζωή αἰώνιος, Galatians 6:8, cf. Schott ad loc. 2. in the N. T. in an ethical sense, corruption i. e. moral decay: 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Peter 2:12{b} (some take the word here actively (R. V. text in their destroying), others refer it to 1 above), 2 Peter 2:19; with τῆς ζωῆς added, Wis. 14:12.

corruption, destroy, perish.

From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively) -- corruption, destroy, perish.

see GREEK phtheiro

φθορα φθορά φθορὰ φθορᾷ φθοραν φθοράν φθορὰν φθορας φθοράς φθορᾶς phthora phthorà phthorā̂i phthoran phthorán phthoràn phthoras phthorâsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts