πικρία (pikria)
pikria
bitterness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun pikria denotes a sharp, corrosive quality that begins with taste but quickly moves to the spirit. In its literal sense it describes something bitter to the palate, yet the New Testament uses it almost exclusively as a metaphor for inner life. It captures the harshness of a resentful temper or the sourness of a character twisted by malice.
Its range includes both personal attitude and communal poison. Paul lists it alongside anger and wrath as something believers must put away (Ephesians 4:31), while Acts describes Simon’s heart as full of "bitter gall" (Acts 8:23). The writer of Hebrews warns against a "root of bitterness" that springs up to defile many (Hebrews 12:15), showing how this internal state can spread like a weed.
This word carries significant weight because it describes something that festers. It is not just a momentary flash of anger but a deep-seated disposition. Translators often render it simply as "bitterness," preserving the image of a taste that lingers and poisons relationships from within.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word pikria describes a sharp, corrosive quality that starts in the spirit rather than on the tongue. It is not merely a momentary flash of anger but a deep-seated disposition that festers over time. When we hold onto resentment, this bitterness acts like a weed, twisting our character and poisoning the relationships around us.
Scripture urges believers to put this away completely. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul lists it alongside wrath and slander as something to be removed from our lives. This is not about suppressing emotions but about clearing out the internal rot so that grace can take root instead. Ignoring these feelings allows them to spread, defiling many around us just as Hebrews 12:15 warns.
Healing begins when we acknowledge the sourness in our hearts and choose to release it. By letting go of the need to hold grudges, we create space for peace to grow. This process invites us to examine our motives and seek forgiveness, allowing our inner life to align with the gentleness God offers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of bitterness3×
- bitterness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πικρίας3×
- πικρία1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice.
Paul groups bitterness with other destructive emotions, showing it is an active habit that must be deliberately removed from daily conduct.
-
Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it,
The metaphor of a 'root' highlights how this internal state spreads outward to defile others if left unchecked.
-
Acts 8:23
For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
Peter uses the term to describe Simon’s spiritual condition, linking bitterness directly to bondage and iniquity.