ἀκυρόω (akuroō)
akuroō
to nullify
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb akuroō means to render something void or without legal force. It describes the act of invalidating a decree, agreement, or tradition so that it loses its authority and effect. The word is built on a root meaning "authority" or "validity," with a negative prefix, literally signifying a state of being unauthoritative.
In the New Testament, this term appears in three key contexts where human actions clash with divine command. Jesus uses it to describe how religious traditions can nullify God’s word (Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:13). Paul employs it to explain that no human covenant can annul a prior divine promise (Galatians 3:17). In each case, the focus is on the power of one authority to override or cancel another.
Translators typically use "nullify," "set aside," or "make void" to capture this sense. The word carries a legal weight, emphasizing that once akuroō is applied, the original agreement no longer holds any binding force.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word akuroō reminds us that human rules never outrank divine promises. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus points out how religious traditions can nullify God’s command to honor parents. This is a sobering warning: when we elevate our own customs above Scripture, we strip God’s word of its power. It is not enough to follow rituals if they lead us away from love and obedience.
Yet there is comfort in Galatians 3:17. Paul assures us that no human law can annul a covenant confirmed by God. If God has spoken, His promise stands firm. You can trust that His word remains valid, regardless of what people try to set aside. This stability offers peace when life feels chaotic or when others try to impose burdensome rules on your faith.
Let this truth anchor you. When faced with conflicting demands, look to Scripture as the final authority. God’s promises are not subject to revision by human opinion. Rest in the assurance that what He has said remains true and effective for your life today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you made void1×
- making void1×
- does annul1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἠκυρώσατε1×
- ἀκυροῦντες1×
- ἀκυροῖ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 15:6
he shall not honor his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.
Jesus uses this word to show how tradition can actively cancel the moral weight of God’s command to honor parents.
-
Mark 7:13
making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”
Here the term highlights the danger of handing down human traditions that override the direct word of God.
-
Galatians 3:17
Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.
Paul uses it negatively to assure believers that later laws cannot annul God’s earlier, confirmed promise of salvation.