ἀμέριμνος (amerimnos)
amerimnos
untroubled
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective amerimnos describes a state of being free from anxiety or care. It appears only twice in the New Testament, in Matthew 28:14 and 1 Corinthians 7:32. The word is formed with a negative prefix attached to merimna, which means "anxiety" or "cares." This makes it a direct opposite of a worried state, indicating someone who is not troubled by distracting thoughts.
In Matthew, the chief priests offer soldiers money to spread a lie about Jesus’ stolen body. They describe the reward as amerimnos, meaning the payment comes without any strings attached or hidden worries for the recipients. In 1 Corinthians, Paul contrasts this with the divided interests of married life. He writes that an unmarried person can be amerimnos regarding the Lord’s affairs, focusing entirely on spiritual matters rather than worldly concerns.
This word highlights a specific kind of freedom. It is not necessarily peace in the face of danger, but rather a lack of divided attention. The sources note that while "anxiety" might sound too strong for some contexts, the core idea remains clear: the person is unburdened by competing demands. Translators often render it as "untroubled" or "free from anxiety," capturing the simplicity of a mind not pulled in multiple directions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word amerimnos points to a mind that is not pulled in different directions by competing demands. It describes a state where your attention remains clear and focused, rather than being scattered by anxiety or divided loyalties. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, offering a specific glimpse into how freedom from worry looks in practice.
In Matthew 28:14, the chief priests promise the soldiers money that is amerimnos—free of hidden strings or future trouble. This shows that such peace can sometimes come from external arrangements that remove fear. Yet Paul offers a deeper spiritual picture in 1 Corinthians 7:32, where he wishes believers to be free from cares so they can focus entirely on pleasing the Lord.
This freedom is not just about having an easy life; it is about undivided devotion. When we are untroubled by the noise of competing priorities, we create space for what truly matters. It invites us to examine where our attention lies and to seek a heart that rests securely in God’s care, rather than being fractured by worldly pressures.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- without concern1×
- out of trouble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀμερίμνους2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 28:14
If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”
The priests use this term to describe a payment that carries no hidden strings or future trouble for the soldiers.
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I Corinthians 7:32
But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
Paul uses it to express his desire for believers to have undivided attention focused on pleasing the Lord rather than divided by worldly cares.