ἀτιμία (atimia)
atimia
dishonour
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun atimia describes a state of shame, disgrace, or loss of honor. It is the direct opposite of timē, which means honor or value. In the New Testament, it often refers to social humiliation or public dishonor rather than just internal feelings of guilt.
This word appears seven times in the New Testament, with significant usage in Paul’s letters. For example, Romans 1:26 links atimia to "base passions," suggesting actions that bring moral disgrace. In 1 Corinthians 15:43, Paul contrasts the natural body’s weakness and dishonor with the resurrection body’s glory and power.
The term carries strong social weight in the ancient world, where honor was a primary currency. To suffer atimia meant to be stripped of dignity in the eyes of others. Translators typically render it as "dishonor" or "disgrace," capturing the public nature of the shame involved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In the ancient world, honor was a person’s most valuable social currency. To suffer atimia meant losing that standing, facing public shame or disgrace. It is easy to feel crushed when others strip away our dignity or when we face failure. Yet this word reminds us that human judgment is not the final measure of worth.
Paul uses this term in surprising ways. In 1 Corinthians 15:43, he describes how our bodies are sown in dishonor but raised in glory. This contrast offers profound hope. Your current struggles or the shame others might heap upon you do not define your eternal destiny. God sees past social labels.
When life feels humiliating, remember that Christ absorbed the ultimate disgrace on the cross so you could receive true honor. You are never defined by the opinions of others or by past failures. Your identity is secured in Him, where shame has no final say.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dishonor,2×
- of dishonor;1×
- dishonor?1×
- dishonor.1×
- dishonor1×
- a dishonor1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀτιμίᾳ,1×
- ἀτιμίας·1×
- ἀτιμίας,1×
- ἀτιμίαν;¶1×
- ἀτιμίαν.1×
- ἀτιμίαν1×
- ἀτιμία1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 15:43
It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
Paul contrasts the current state of weakness and dishonor with the future resurrection body's glory, showing that present shame is temporary.
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Romans 9:21
Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?
The metaphor of the potter distinguishes vessels for honor from those for dishonor, illustrating God's sovereign authority over human destiny.
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II Corinthians 6:8
by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true,
Paul lists dishonor alongside glory to show that his apostolic integrity remains unchanged regardless of public perception or reputation.