ἀντιμισθία (antimisthia)
antimisthia
recompense
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun antimisthia denotes a payment made in return for an action, carrying the dual sense of both reward and retribution. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet it anchors two distinct theological arguments regarding divine justice. The term itself suggests a direct exchange: what is given or done is met with a corresponding measure.
In 2 Corinthians 6:13, Paul uses the word to describe God’s generous recompense for the Corinthian believers’ openness and trust. Here, the focus is on positive return, highlighting that faithful living invites a gracious response from God. Conversely, Romans 1:27 applies the same term to the consequences of idolatry, where those who exchange truth for falsehood receive the fitting penalty within their own actions. This usage underscores the principle that sinful behavior carries its own inherent cost.
The word’s presence in these two epistles illustrates a consistent biblical theme: human actions are never without consequence. Whether the outcome is described as a blessing or a penalty, antimisthia confirms that God’s judgment is precise and proportional. It reminds readers that every deed, whether of faith or rebellion, meets a corresponding divine response.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word antimisthia captures the simple, unshakable truth that our actions meet a corresponding response from God. It is not about arbitrary punishment or random reward, but about a precise alignment between what we do and what follows. In Romans 1:27, Paul uses this term to show that turning away from truth carries its own inherent cost—a natural consequence woven into the fabric of human choices.
Yet this same word also speaks of grace. In 2 Corinthians 6:13, Paul invites believers to open their hearts, promising that God’s response to such trust is a generous recompense. This duality reminds us that our lives are never neutral ground. Every act of faithfulness and every moment of rebellion meets a divine reply that is both fair and fitting.
Understanding this helps us live with greater awareness. We do not need to fear an unpredictable God, nor should we assume our choices matter little. Instead, we can walk forward with confidence, knowing that God’s justice is measured, His mercy is real, and every step we take is seen and answered in kind.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- recompense,1×
- recompense1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀντιμισθίαν,1×
- ἀντιμισθίαν1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:27
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
This occurrence highlights the word's use for retributive consequence, showing that idolatry brings its own fitting penalty within the actions themselves.
-
II Corinthians 6:13
Now in return—I speak as to my children—you also open your hearts.
Here the term shifts to positive recompense, illustrating God's generous response to the Corinthians' openness and trust as a father responds to his children.