ἀνεξίκακος (anexikakos)
anexikakos
not resentful
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective anexikakos describes a person who is not resentful or quick to take offense when wronged. It combines a negative prefix with a root meaning "evil" or "harm," literally defining someone who does not hold onto the bad things done against them. In the New Testament, this trait appears only once, in Paul’s instructions to Timothy about how church leaders should conduct themselves (2 Timothy 2:24).
Paul uses this specific word to characterize the servant of the Lord, contrasting it with the quarrelsome or angry dispositions that can divide communities. The term suggests a steady, patient endurance rather than passive weakness; it is an active choice to absorb injury without retaliating or nursing a grudge. Translators often render it as "not resentful" or "gentle," capturing the inner calm of someone who refuses to let external mistreatment dictate their response.
This rare word highlights a specific aspect of Christian character: the ability to remain stable and kind even when treated unjustly. By limiting its usage to this single verse, the text emphasizes that such forbearance is not a common human instinct but a distinctive mark of spiritual maturity required for those who teach and guide others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we are treated unfairly, our natural instinct is often to defend ourselves or hold onto a grudge. The word anexikakos offers a different path. It describes someone who does not keep score of wrongs or nurse resentment when hurt. This is not about being weak or ignoring justice; it is a deliberate choice to remain gentle and steady, even when provoked.
In 2 Timothy 2:24, Paul instructs Timothy that a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle toward all. This quality is essential for anyone who wants to guide others in faith. It requires a calm heart that refuses to let external mistreatment dictate its response. By absorbing injury without retaliating, we create space for peace and understanding where conflict might otherwise grow.
Practicing this kind of forbearance takes time and grace. It is not about suppressing anger but transforming it into patience. When you feel the sting of injustice, remember that you are invited to respond with kindness rather than retaliation. This steady spirit reflects the character of Christ and brings healing to those around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- forbearing,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνεξίκακον,1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 2:24
The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,
Paul uses this rare term here to define the specific inner posture a church leader must maintain when facing opposition or provocation.