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ἄδολος (adolos)

adolos

pure

G0097 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective adolos describes something that is unmixed, unadulterated, or pure. Its literal roots point to a lack of deceit or guile, but it carries a specific physical sense: genuine and free from foreign additives. This meaning applies to substances as well as character, emphasizing integrity through absence of corruption.

In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 1 Peter 2:2. Here, believers are urged to crave pure spiritual milk so they may grow. The image relies on the idea of milk that is genuine and uncut by water or other fillers. It suggests a desire for truth that is undiluted and authentic.

The term contrasts with anything tainted or fake. By using a word associated with food purity, Peter highlights the need for sincere faith. Christians seek a spiritual nourishment that is honest and real, reflecting a heart without hypocrisy.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word adolos describes something unmixed and free from foreign additives. In its original context, it referred to food that was genuine and uncut by water or fillers. When applied to character, it points to integrity without deceit or guile. This simple idea offers a clear picture of spiritual purity: being real and undiluted.

In 1 Peter 2:2, believers are encouraged to crave this pure spiritual milk. The image suggests that growth in faith depends on receiving truth that is honest and authentic. Just as a newborn baby seeks nourishment without hesitation, Christians are invited to desire God's word with sincerity. This purity helps us grow steadily, grounded in what is true rather than what is merely appealing.

Living with an adolos heart means rejecting hypocrisy and embracing transparency before God. It is a call to let faith be genuine, not performative. As you seek spiritual nourishment, may your desire for truth remain clear and undivided, leading to steady growth in grace.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • pure1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἄδολον1×

Key Verses

  • I Peter 2:2
    as newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow,

    This verse uses adolos to describe the spiritual milk believers should crave, emphasizing that genuine, undiluted truth is essential for growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does adolos mean in the Bible?

Adolos means pure, unmixed, or free from deceit. It originally described food that was genuine and uncut by additives, but it also applies to moral integrity. In the New Testament, it highlights the need for authentic faith without hypocrisy.

Where does adolos appear in Scripture?

It appears only once, in 1 Peter 2:2. Here, Peter urges believers to long for pure spiritual milk so they may grow. The context emphasizes the importance of receiving God's word without distortion.

How is adolos different from other words for purity?

While other terms focus on moral cleanliness, adolos specifically stresses being unmixed or unadulterated. It conveys a sense of genuineness, like food that has not been diluted or tainted by foreign elements.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

I Peter 1 verse
I Peter 2:2

as newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow,