ἀπερισπάστως (aperispastōs)
aperispastōs
undistracted
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb aperispastōs means to be undistracted or free from divided attention. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:35). Here, it describes a state of single-minded focus that allows a believer to serve the Lord without being pulled in other directions.
The word is built from a negative prefix and a root related to being "drawn away" or diverted. This etymology highlights that the distraction Paul addresses is not merely busyness, but a shifting of loyalty or concern. The term suggests an inner stability where one’s primary aim remains clear and unbroken.
Paul uses this rare word to encourage believers toward a practical freedom. He is not calling for isolation, but for a clarity of purpose that prevents anxiety from fragmenting devotion. The emphasis is on the quality of attention given to spiritual matters, ensuring that care for the Lord remains the central, undivided focus of life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Living in a world full of competing demands often leaves us feeling pulled in every direction. The Greek word aperispastōs captures a specific kind of freedom: the ability to keep our attention fixed on what matters most without being torn apart by anxiety or divided loyalties. Paul uses this rare term to describe a heart that is not necessarily isolated, but is instead clear about its primary aim.
This clarity does not mean ignoring responsibilities or relationships. Instead, it invites us to examine where our energy flows. When we seek to serve the Lord without distraction, we find a practical peace that protects our devotion from fragmenting under pressure. It is an invitation to order our lives so that spiritual focus remains central.
May you find grace in this single-minded pursuit. Let your heart rest in the stability of knowing that God values your undivided attention more than perfect performance. May your days be marked by a quiet confidence that comes from keeping your eyes fixed on Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- without distraction.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπερισπάστως.¶1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 7:35
This I say for your own benefit, not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.
Paul uses this unique adverb to define the ideal state of devotion, emphasizing that undistracted service is for the believer's own benefit rather than a burdensome rule.