ἀσφάλεια (asphaleia)
asphaleia
security
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun asphaleia conveys a state of firmness or stability, derived from the adjective meaning "secure" or "safe." In the New Testament, it describes certainty and reliability rather than just physical safety. Luke uses it in his prologue to emphasize that Theophilus’s instruction is based on solid, verified facts (Luke 1:4). This usage highlights the historical reliability of the gospel account.
The word also appears in contexts involving danger or legal assurance. In Acts 5:23, prison guards report that the cell doors are securely locked, using the term to describe physical security from enemies. Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 contrasts this sense of safety with sudden destruction, noting that peace and security can be shattered unexpectedly. The term thus bridges the gap between factual certainty and tangible protection.
Its presence in both historical narrative and epistolary warning shows its dual weight. It assures believers of the truth of their faith while reminding them that earthly security is fragile. Translators often render it as "certainty," "security," or "safety," depending on whether the context emphasizes intellectual trust or physical well-being.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word asphaleia speaks to the solid ground beneath our feet. In Luke’s Gospel, it describes the firm certainty of what we have been taught about Jesus. This is not a vague hope but a trust built on verified events and reliable witnesses. When we read Scripture, we are invited to rest in that historical stability, knowing our faith rests on truth rather than shifting opinions.
Yet this word also reminds us that earthly safety is fragile. In Thessalonians, the promise of peace and security can vanish suddenly. This does not leave us anxious but helps us distinguish between temporary comfort and lasting hope. True security is found not in our circumstances but in the unshakable reliability of God’s promises.
Whether we face legal threats or personal doubts, this term invites us to anchor our lives in what endures. It encourages us to seek a stability that cannot be shaken by fear or uncertainty, grounding our hearts in the enduring truth of the Gospel.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- security,1×
- security1×
- certainty.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀσφάλειαν.¶1×
- ἀσφάλεια,1×
- ἀσφαλείᾳ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:4
that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
This verse uses the word to describe the firm certainty believers have regarding their instruction, emphasizing historical reliability over vague tradition.
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Acts 5:23
“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”
Here the term describes physical security, noting that prison doors were securely locked yet still failed to contain the apostles.