ἀνόμως (anomōs)
anomōs
without law
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb anomōs means "without law" or "lawlessly." It describes a state of acting in ignorance of legal standards rather than with deliberate rebellion against them. In this sense, it is closely related to the phrase "without law," indicating a lack of knowledge of the Mosaic code.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Romans 2:12. Paul uses it to distinguish between those who have the Law and those who do not. He suggests that judgment will fall on people according to what they knew; those who sinned "without law" are judged differently than those who sinned under the Law's direct revelation.
The term highlights a theological distinction in Paul’s argument about accountability. It does not imply moral chaos, but rather an absence of specific divine instruction. This usage helps clarify that human responsibility is tied to the light one has received, whether through written code or general conscience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anomōs, meaning "without law," appears in Romans 2:12 to describe those who sin without having received the specific written code of the Mosaic Law. Paul uses this term to show that God’s judgment is fair and based on the light a person has actually received. It is not about moral chaos, but rather an absence of direct divine instruction.
This understanding offers comfort by reminding us that God judges with perfect justice. He holds people accountable for what they know, whether through Scripture or conscience. This perspective helps us trust in a God who is both just and merciful, judging each heart according to its true condition.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- without [the] Law2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνόμως2×
Key Verses
-
Romans 2:12
For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
This verse uses anomōs to distinguish between those judged by the written Law and those who sinned without it, highlighting God's fair judgment based on available knowledge.