ἀγανάκτησις (aganaktēsis)
aganaktēsis
indignation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun aganaktēsis describes a sharp, righteous indignation or deep irritation. It appears only once in the New Testament, found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:11). Here, it captures the intense emotional reaction of the Corinthian believers when they learned how seriously Paul took their moral failures.
Lexical sources link this word to a sense of vexation that is not merely petty anger, but a hot, indignant response to injustice or wrong. In that specific context, Paul lists it alongside other strong reactions like eagerness to clear themselves and desire for vengeance. This combination shows the word carries weight; it is the visceral heat of moral outrage rather than cold displeasure.
Translators often render it as "indignation" or "anger," but the Greek term implies a more heated, immediate emotional stir. It reflects a heart that is deeply troubled by what is right being violated. The word stands as a reminder that holy anger is a recognized part of the Christian experience when confronted with sin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aganaktēsis describes a sharp, righteous indignation that arises when we see something right being violated. It is not petty irritation but a deep, visceral heat in response to injustice or moral failure. In 2 Corinthians 7:11, Paul notes this reaction among the Corinthian believers as they realized how seriously he viewed their sins.
This emotion is not condemned but recognized as part of a godly grief that leads to change. It shows that our hearts can be deeply troubled by what is wrong, mirroring God’s own holiness. When we feel this stir within us, it is an invitation to align our values with His truth.
May you find courage in recognizing such feelings as signs of a heart attentive to righteousness. Let this awareness draw you closer to the One who desires purity and integrity in all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- indignation,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀγανάκτησιν,1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 7:11
For behold, this same thing, that you were grieved in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vindication! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
This occurrence highlights how aganaktēsis accompanies godly grief, showing that righteous indignation is a valid response to moral failure when it leads to repentance.