ἀναξίως (anaxiōs)
anaxiōs
unworthily
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb anaxiōs means to act or participate in a way that is unworthy or inappropriate. It describes behavior that fails to meet the proper standard for a sacred occasion. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both times in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church.
Paul uses it to warn believers about how they should approach the Lord's Supper. He states that anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27). The term highlights a disconnect between the holiness of the ritual and the attitude or conduct of the participant.
Its root relates to the idea of being without worth or merit in a specific context. Translators render it as "unworthily," emphasizing that the issue is not personal sinfulness in general, but a failure to discern the sacred nature of the meal. This usage underscores the seriousness with which early Christians viewed communal worship and self-examination.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaxiōs appears only twice in the New Testament, both within Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. It describes a manner of participation that fails to honor the sacred nature of the Lord’s Supper. This is not a call for perfection, but for reverence. When we approach this meal, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice and our unity with one another.
Paul warns that eating or drinking in an unworthy way brings judgment because it ignores the significance of the body and blood of the Lord. This means we should examine our hearts and relationships before partaking. It is an invitation to reflect on how we treat others and how we view the gift of grace. The focus is on discernment—recognizing that this meal points to something far greater than a simple gathering.
Ultimately, this word calls us to humility. We do not come based on our own merit, but on God’s grace. By approaching the table with respect and self-examination, we acknowledge the depth of Christ’s love. This practice helps us stay connected to the core of our faith, remembering that every element represents a profound spiritual reality.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unworthily2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναξίως2×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 11:27
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
This verse explicitly links eating or drinking in an unworthy manner with being guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord, highlighting the serious spiritual consequence of improper participation.
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I Corinthians 11:29
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.
Here Paul clarifies that the judgment comes specifically from failing to discern the Lord’s body, emphasizing that the issue is a lack of recognition of the meal's sacred significance rather than general moral failure.