ἄκαρπος (akarpos)
akarpos
unfruitful
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective akarpos describes something that is unfruitful or barren, literally bearing no harvest. It combines a negative prefix with the word for fruit, creating a clear image of potential that fails to materialize. In Scripture, this term moves beyond agriculture to describe spiritual and moral states where expected growth or good works are absent.
Jesus uses this concept in the parable of the sower to explain why some seeds fail to produce grain (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). The concern is not merely a lack of output, but a failure to yield what was naturally expected. Later writers apply it to believers who lack spiritual vitality or to behaviors that generate no positive outcome, as seen in Ephesians 5:11 and Titus 3:14.
This word carries a tone of disappointment rather than condemnation. It highlights the gap between intention and result. When Paul warns against unfruitful works of darkness, he points to actions that do not align with the life they claim to represent. The term serves as a sobering reminder that faith is measured by its visible effects.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word akarpos paints a picture of potential that remains unrealized. It describes seeds choked by worldly worries or actions that lack genuine spiritual life. This is not about harsh judgment, but a gentle warning that faith should naturally produce visible growth in our character and deeds.
When we feel stuck or disconnected from God, this term invites us to examine what might be choking the word in our hearts. It reminds us that true knowledge of Christ leads to active love and good works, keeping us from being idle or barren in our spiritual journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unfruitful5×
- without fruit,1×
- unfruitful.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄκαρπος2×
- ἄκαρπός1×
- ἄκαρποι.¶1×
- ἄκαρπα,1×
- ἀκάρπους1×
- ἀκάρποις1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 13:22
What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
This verse identifies the specific distractions of wealth and anxiety that prevent spiritual growth.
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Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
Here the term describes hidden actions that lack the light and life expected of believers.
-
Titus 3:14
Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Paul connects being unfruitful directly to a failure in meeting practical needs through good works.