ἀποτομία (apotomia)
apotomia
severity
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apotomia describes a quality of sharpness or steepness, originally referring to the abrupt, sheer face of a cliff. In Scripture, this physical image is applied metaphorically to describe divine severity or rigorous judgment. The word appears only once in the New Testament, located in Romans 11:22.
Paul uses it to contrast God’s kindness with His sternness, warning believers that they must remain in that kindness to avoid being cut off. The term conveys an unyielding firmness, suggesting that divine justice is as decisive and sharp as a cliff edge. This usage highlights the serious consequences of unbelief within the context of God's covenantal dealings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apotomia paints a vivid picture of a sheer cliff face—steep, unyielding, and final. In Romans 11:22, Paul uses this image to describe God’s severity toward those who have fallen away in unbelief. It is not a harshness born of cruelty, but the firm reality of divine justice that stands as sharp and decisive as a mountain edge.
Yet this warning is paired immediately with an invitation to God’s goodness. The text reminds us that our standing before Him depends on continuing in His kindness. This balance keeps us humble without paralyzing us with fear, knowing that while God’s judgment is real, His grace offers a safe place to remain if we hold fast.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the seriousness of faith. It calls us to stay rooted in Christ’s goodness, recognizing that His severity protects the holiness of His covenant while His kindness invites us into secure relationship with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- severity,1×
- severity1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποτομίαν1×
- ἀποτομία,1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 11:22
See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
This verse uniquely pairs apotomia with God's goodness, showing that divine severity is the consequence of falling away while kindness remains available to those who continue in faith.