ἄστοργος (astorgos)
astorgos
unfeeling
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective astorgos describes a person who is unfeeling or devoid of natural affection. It literally means "without storge," where storge refers to the instinctive bond between family members, such as that between parents and children. In Romans 1:31, Paul uses this word to characterize those whose moral decay has led them to abandon these fundamental human ties.
Its force comes from its negative prefix and the root for familial love. The sources stress that this is not merely a lack of social grace, but a deeper inhumanity. In 2 Timothy 3:3, Paul lists it alongside other severe vices to depict the dangerous character of people in the last days. Translators often render it "unloving" or "without natural affection," highlighting a heart that has lost its capacity for basic kinship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word astorgos describes a state where the instinctive bond of family love has gone cold. It is not simply being shy or reserved; it is a profound failure to care for those closest to us. In our modern lives, this can look like ignoring parents in need, neglecting children, or treating relatives with indifference. Paul uses this strong term to show how deep moral decay can sever the very ties that hold society together.
Yet, recognizing this danger is also a comfort. It reminds us that natural affection is not something we must manufacture on our own strength. When we feel unable to love well, we can look to God, who is the source of all true connection. His grace restores our capacity for empathy and helps us break cycles of coldness in our own homes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unloving,1×
- heartless1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄστοργοι,1×
- ἀστόργους1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:31
without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
This verse places 'without natural affection' alongside other vices to show how moral decay erodes basic human bonds.
-
II Timothy 3:3
without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good,
Paul lists this trait as a key sign of dangerous times, highlighting the loss of family loyalty in the last days.