ἀχρειόω (achreioō)
achreioō
to make worthless
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb achreioō means to make something worthless or unfit for use. It describes a process where an object or person loses its value and becomes useless. The word comes from a root meaning "without profit" or "useless," pointing to a state of being stripped of purpose.
In Scripture, this term appears only once, in Romans 3:12, quoting the Psalms. It describes people who have become corrupt and unprofitable before God. The imagery suggests something that has spoiled or turned sour, like milk going bad, rendering it fit for nothing. Translators often use "corrupt" or "worthless" to capture this sense of total failure in character.
This single usage highlights the seriousness of moral decay. It is not just a minor flaw but a complete loss of value. The word underscores the human condition apart from God, where even the best efforts result in nothing of lasting worth. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for divine grace to restore what has been ruined.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word achreioō describes a state of being made worthless or unfit for use. In Romans 3:12, Paul quotes the Psalms to show that all people have turned away from God and become unprofitable. This is not about minor flaws but a deep corruption that strips us of value in His sight. It reminds us that our own efforts cannot earn worth before Him.
Yet this truth brings hope, not despair. Recognising our need for grace opens the door to restoration. God does not leave us in this state of ruin; He offers redemption through Christ. This word calls us to humility and reliance on His mercy rather than our own merit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they became worthless;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἠχρεώθησαν·1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 3:12
They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.”
Paul uses this term to summarise the universal human condition of moral decay, showing that no one achieves goodness apart from God.